Health Benefits
Within its extravagantly beautiful red flower, hibiscus hides a whole medicine cabinet of benefits:
Lowers Blood Pressure
Lowers Cholesterol
Anti-cancer Properties
Relieves Menstrual Pain
Anxiety & Depression
Digestive system
Anti-inflammatory & Antibacterial properties
Kidney health
Weight Loss
Hair growth
Antioxidant activity
Lowers Blood Pressure
The number one leading cause of death, raised blood pressure is estimated to cause 7.5 million deaths worldwide.A 2013 review by the University of Arizona discovered that hibiscus tea is used in 10 or more countries as a normal treatment for high blood pressure without any reported side effects.
It was also shown that hibiscus tea works as well as hydrochlorothiazide, a common blood-pressure lowering medication. The most significant part is that hibiscus doesn’t cause electrolyte imbalance, a common side effect of prescribed medicine.
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, hibiscus can reduce blood pressure by up to 10 points. For this drastic improvement to occur, you need to regularly consume three cups of this tea every day for a few weeks. Also, it has diuretic properties that increase urination and simultaneously lower blood pressure.
Lowers Cholesterol
Hibiscus tea is a tasty way to lower the levels of (bad) LDL cholesterol from the body, protecting you against heart diseases and your blood vessels from damage.
Anti-cancer Properties
Scientists have started the research on the use of hibiscus in fighting cancer. So far, the results are promising and show us that it produces cell death in leukemia and 8 different kinds of gastric cancer cells.
Hibiscus also contains high levels of vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system – both to kill the cancer cells and to help us deal with the side effects of radiation or chemotherapy.
Relieves Menstrual Pain
Hibiscus is regarded as a feminine plant in many cultures, and one of the reasons is that it is connected to the health of the uterus and menstrual cycle.
It brings hormonal balance and manages irregular menstrual cycles, which reduces the symptoms of PMS like cramps, pain, mood swings, depression and food cravings.
For any woman that has difficulties with PMS and hormonal balance, it is best to start drinking Hibiscus 7 days before your period should come. When the bleeding starts, make a stronger batch and drink it for the first few days of your period. This brings more blood to the pelvic area and makes the whole menstrual period run smoothly, without cramps or pain.
Anxiety & Depression
Hibiscus contains vitamins and minerals like flavonoids which have antidepressant properties. Drinking hibiscus helps calm down the nervous system – it reduces anxiety and depression by relaxing the mind and body.
If you are suffering from depression or low-energy symptoms like fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest and energy for hobbies you may want to try Hibiscus as a natural way to uplift your mood and energy.
Digestive system
Many people drink Hibiscus to improve digestion as it regularizes both urination and bowel movements. Since it has diuretic properties, it is also used to treat constipation, which helps you lose weight, improve the health of your gastrointestinal system, and avoid colorectal cancer.
Anti-inflammatory & Antibacterial properties
Hibiscus is rich in ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. It is an essential nutrient required by your body to boost and stimulate the activity of the immune system. Hibiscus is also known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Therefore, it protects you from catching a cold and flu. It is also used to treat discomfort caused by fever, due to its cooling effect.
Kidney health
Because it functions as a diuretic, Hibiscus has turned the heads of those studying the health of the kidney and urinary systems. Initial testing suggests that hibiscus tea lowers the instance of compounds that form kidney stones and prevents and cures kidney and bladder infections and inflammation.
Weight Loss
Hibiscus is also beneficial for weight loss. You are likely to gain weight if you consume food that is rich in carbohydrates. However, studies have suggested that hibiscus extract lowers the absorption of starch and glucose and helps in weight loss.
When this is combined with the fact that hibiscus also speeds up the metabolism and releases excess water, it is no wonder it’s commonly found in many weight loss products.
Hair growth
Hibiscus has shown tremendous results when it comes to boosting hair growth. It is rich in vitamin C that boosts collagen production (collagen gives your hair its strength), ensuring healthy hair growth. It nourishes your hair, strengthens your roots, and keeps your locks lustrous and healthy.
The flower stimulates hair regrowth from dormant follicles and bald patches. This helps thicken your hair and add volume. It also conditions your hair, preventing dryness, frizz, and breakage, and treats issues of the scalp, such as itchiness and dandruff.
Hibiscus flowers help to prevent split ends by keeping your hair strong, nourished, and hydrated.
Antioxidant activity
Free radicals are compounds that form in your body as a result of things like stress, pollution, and a poor diet. Over time, the accumulation of free radicals can lead to cell damage and chronic disease. Antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and have been shown to reduce the risk of conditions like heart disease and cancer.
Apart from the over-all benefits of antioxidants, those found in the hibiscus tea (mostly within the red pigment that gives the flower its color) are very good at treating liver diseases. It helps the liver by detoxifying it and releasing the fatty build up that can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure if left untreated.