Hibiscus flowers are the big showy blossoms that grow nearly everywhere in warm, tropical climates. Hibiscus flowers are busy members of the mallow family, there are hundreds of different hibiscus species. The flowers are large and brightly colored, shaped like a horn or trumpet, and some species will change color as they age. The pistil and stamens often protrude dramatically from the horn of the flower, adding to it's reputation as a showy blossom. Hibiscus flowers can be used for decoration, for paper, and as a food product.
For cooking hibiscus flowers are most commonly use in herbal teas. It has a reputation for a cooling affect on the body. The Pharaohs used hibiscus tea, and today it's still common as a toast in Egyptian weddings (Learn more about Hibiscus Tea). The flowers have a tangy citrus flavor, to make the tea you'll need to boil hibiscus flowers for about 30 minutes, add sugar, and chill. If you're using the large red hibiscus flowers the tea will have a beautiful crimson color. Hibiscus tea is popular in cocktails in the Caribbean, and it can be used to enhance non-alcoholic fruit drinks. Hibiscus flowers can also be used in salads, as an edible garnish, and in candies.
But the most popular and conspicuous use for hibiscus flowers is decorative. Tucked behind the ear, or set out as a decorative center piece, the large colorful blooms are ubiquitous in warm weather vacation spots. Hibiscus flowers do not require water, the blooms will stay viable until they're time has passed, with or without watering. Hibiscus flowers last only one day, maybe a bit longer if kept in the fridge, but new blossoms are usually just an arm's length away and they do continuously produce a lot of blooms. Hibiscus Flowers are free and grow in the open!
Hibiscus is used for treating loss of appetite, colds, heart and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling (inflammation), fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation; for dissolving phlegm; as a gentle laxative; and as a diuretic to increase urine output.
In foods and beverages, hibiscus is used as a flavoring. It is also used to improve the odor, flavor, or appearance of tea mixtures.
The fruit acids in hibiscus may work like a laxative. Some researchers think that other chemicals in hibiscus might be able to lower blood pressure; decrease spasms in the stomach, intestines, and uterus; and work like antibiotics to kill bacteria and worms.
High cholesterol. An early study shows that taking 1 gram daily of a specific extract of hibiscus leaves (Green Chem, Bangalore, India) does not seem to improve cholesterol levels.
High blood pressure. Some research shows that people with mild high blood pressure who drink a specific hibiscus tea (Celestial Seasonings) 3 times daily have lower blood pressure. This research is promising, but too preliminary to rely on hibiscus tea for treating high blood pressure.
Loss of appetite.
Colds.
Constipation.
Irritated stomach.
Fluid retention.
Heart disease.
Nerve disease.
The hibiscus has had a lengthy history of use in Africa and neighboring tropical countries. Its fragrant flowers have been used in sachets and perfumes. In areas of northern Nigeria, this plant has been used to treat constipation. Fiber from H. sabdariffa has been used to fashion rope as a jute substitute. The fleshy red calyx is used in the preparation of jams, jellies, and cold and warm teas and drinks. The leaves have been used like spinach. The plant is used widely in Egypt for the treatment of cardiac and nerve diseases and has been described as a diuretic. In Iran, drinking sour tea for the treatment of hypertension is a popular practice. It has been used in the treatment of cancers. The mucilaginous leaves are used as a topical emollient in Africa. In Western countries, hibiscus flowers often are found as components of herbal tea mixtures. In Thailand, people consume roselle juice to quench thirst. Karkade seed products (ie, karkade defatted flour, protein concentrate, protein isolate) have been studied for their nutritional and functional value.
Here are some of the health benefits that are associated with hibiscus:
When you consume hibiscus tea, you can experience the cooling effect. This means that it is a great tea for women with menopause for drinking. It also helps in decreasing the intensity of or getting rid of hot flashes. Remember that if you have frequent fever episodes, hibiscus is highly beneficial as it cools down the body.
Hibiscus has high amounts of antioxidants. Because of the high amounts of antioxidants, it greatly lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol levels and also decreases the chances of developing heart disorders. Also antioxidants aid in reducing the risk of developing a cancer. As hibiscus is rich in vitamin C, it helps in boosting the immune system and can also help in weight loss.
If you have dandruff problem and tried other remedies but found no improvement in situation, then hibiscus is the best solution for your problem. Hibiscus is a natural remedy for scalp problems in India for many centuries. Also people believe that hibiscus helps in preventing hair fall. If the hair fall is due to thyroid problem, hibiscus is the best solution for this. You can achieve this by consuming hibiscus tea or by applying hibiscus leaves to the scalp.
Are you not sure about how to cure acne? Hibiscus helps you. It helps in unclogging the pores. All you need to do is apply wet hibiscus leaves to the acne affected area where you want to clear the blemishes. Allow it on the skin for about 15 minutes and then rinse with water. You must continue this every day until the acne diminishes.
Over 200 species of Hibiscus Flowers
Hibiscus Flowers have a tart citrus taste
Hibiscus Flowers make great tea
Hibiscus Flowers do not need water after you pick them, and will last about a day or two without water.
The Pharaohs drank hibiscus flower tea
Hibiscus tea is popular in cocktails in the Caribbean
Ash - 0.51 g
Calcium, Ca - 215 mg
Carbohydrate, by difference - 11.31 g
Energy - 205 kJ
Energy - 49 kcal
Iron, Fe - 1.48 mg
Magnesium, Mg - 51 mg
Niacin - 0.310 mg
Phosphorus, P - 37 mg
Potassium, K - 208 mg
Protein - 0.96 g
Riboflavin - 0.028 mg
Sodium, Na - 6 mg
Thiamin - 0.011 mg
Total lipid (fat) - 0.64 g
Vitamin A, IU - 287 IU
Vitamin A, RAE - 14 mcg_RAE
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid - 12.0 mg
Water - 86.58 g
Experts say that hibiscus tea is generally safe for people, and has low potential of causing any serious side effects.
Hibiscus tea is well-known for its blood-pressure lowering quality thus, it should not be taken by people with hypotension (low blood pressure). According to a study conducted by a medical research center, people who frequently drink this herbal tea, experience a reduction of 7.2 points in their systolic blood pressure. So this implies that people with low blood pressure must not consume this tea lest, there may occur severe complications such as faintness, dizziness, weakness, or in some cases, damage to the heart or brain.
One of the common hibiscus tea side effects may be an effect that may be similar to experiencing hallucinations. Which is why, people who consume the tea for the first time, are advised not to go for driving or any other activity, wherein, sleepiness may spell trouble.
The chemicals in the hibiscus plant affect the estrogen levels, especially in women. So one side effect could be hormonal changes in the body.
Some experts believe that drinking hibiscus tea during pregnancy could be unsafe. The tea, supposedly, has certain properties which could trigger off menstruation, and this could cause a miscarriage. Although the theory is not supported by clinical evidence, the word is to stay on the safe side and avoid its use. To add to this, the tea must be avoided even by nursing mothers.
Certain chemicals in the plant are known to attack cancer cells that affect the skin and the brain. So, people who are already on drugs for treating cancer, must not consume the hibiscus tea. Otherwise, the side effects may occur in the form of an additive effect on the treatment, and worsen the condition.
Other hibiscus flower tea side effects may flare up when the tea is taken in conjunction with inflammatory drugs.
The following reviews have been selected:
------------------------------------------
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Hisbiscus Tea and Blood Pressure, September 7, 2010
By
Unagi Sushi "anniegoose" (Seattle WA)
I have been drinking hibiscus tea off and on since 1984. When I went to Germany in 1984, my mother told me that it is quite popular there for blood pressure issues, so every day while I was there I drank it. When I came back to the US I found it and drank it for a number of years.
About a year ago my husband's blood pressure became elevated because of health problems he is experieincing. So, I went to the local co-op and got some hibiscus tea. Ever since he started drinking it his blood pressure has been in the normal range -- well under 120/80.
------------------------------------------
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Tasty sour tea!, February 20, 2010
By
Volt... (The Great Pacific Northwest)
I am also trying out hibiscus tea because I have read that there are clinical trials that show hibiscus lowers blood pressure. I'm not sure how strong hibiscus tea is "supposed" to be, but about 10 petals in a coffee mug works for me. The tea produced is very strong and exceptionally sour which, personally, I love. I would say it's similar in taste to rhubarb which I also love. You can add a sugar or sugar alternative if you want, but I say it tastes great straight...
From Wikipedia:
"A study published in the Journal of Human Hypertension has shown that drinking hibiscus tea can reduce high blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. The study results showed the average systolic blood pressure for those drinking hibiscus tea decreased from 134.8 mmHg (17.97 kPa) at the beginning of the study to 112.7 mmHg (15.03 kPa) at the end of the study, one month later.[5] This is consistent with its supposed role as a diuretic."
------------------------------------------
Reason for taking: High blood pressure
Reviewer: 25-34 Male, 1/25/2012 9:40:00 PM
Effectiveness Current: Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I had blood pressure that averaged around 135/88 when i started taking a hibiscus supplement in the form of a pill... I took one pill per day (500mg) for the first two weeks and saw no significant decrease. After 2 weeks I increased my dosage to 1 pill 2 times daily (1000mg/day) and saw a dramatic decrease within a week. My blood pressure is now, on average, 125/80.
------------------------------------------
Reason for taking: General Health & Wellness
Reviewer: francie, 35-44 Female, 11/4/2011 3:43:12 PM
Effectiveness Current: Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
Hibiscus Tea is indeed effective as a mild laxative/diuretic. It caused diarrhea in about 2 hours after I drank a cup.
------------------------------------------
Reason for taking: High blood pressure
Reviewer: 45-54 Female, 9/20/2011 11:31:19 PM
Effectiveness: Current Rating: 5
Ease of Use: Current Rating: 5
Satisfaction: Current Rating: 5
Comment:
I started drinking hibiscus tea because my blood pressure was starting to raise to the 145/75 level. I started exercise and diet but BP still did not lower, I added two to three cups of hibiscus tea and my BP has been consistently 128/58 or lower.
------------------------------------------