THE COMMON HIBISCUS PLANT
Hibiscus plant is a popular house plant greatly admired by plant lovers because of its varied beautiful colours, ranging from red, yellow, white and variegated, that adorn the environment, especially as a stand-alone plant, with various colours combined as a single plant, it equally makes a nice hedge and potted plant.
It belongs to a group of flowering plants called malvecae which includes a wide variety of other subspecies and variants. They are all referred to as hibiscus or Rose mallow, the species are quite diverse not only in colours but also in growth patterns. They are mainly cultivated in warm temperate, sub-tropic and tropical regions of the world, there are no wild species,
No matter the species, the Hibiscus plant is popular because of its long use in traditional remedies and folk medicine. dating back to recorded history,
Its potency in healing has been validated by research to stand the test of time as one of those special rare gifts of nature to help ailing humanity recover from his health problems, prevent certain diseases and as nutritional support and beauty care.
The Hibiscus plant has a plethora of health benefits due to its high content of vitamins, minerals antioxidants and other life-sustaining properties, from the flowers to the roots
It is widely used in different parts of the world to prepare delicacies for example in Egypt the flowers are used to prepare one of their ceremonial drink called karkade
In Iran, the flower is used to prepare sour tea
In China, it is used to prepare a tisane called rose tea while In Africa especially the sub-Saharan region as well as the Carabians use it in preparing a very pleasant tasting heath drink called sorrel.
South Asians make their own special drink from the dried flowers too.. It is used all over the world for different dishes, drinks, and teas.
Many cultures of the world have their different ways of extracting the nutritional and medicinal values in preparations such as jam, soups and sauces the Mexican use the dry plant in preparing a favourite delicacy.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF HIBISCUS TEA PER 100 GRAMS
Total calories 0
Protein. 0
Fat. 0.4
Carbohydrate. 0
Calcium. 8mg
Copper. 0
Iron. 0.08mg
Magnesium. 3mg
Manganese. 0.4
Phosphorus. 1mg
Potassium 20mg
HEALTH BENEFITS OF HIBISCUS
Hibiscus powder is commonly used in making hibiscus tea, and it’s consumption offers a variety of health benefits,most especially in preventing cardiovascular diseases, because of its ability in reducing the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body,
it also helps in lowering blood sugar and preventing diabetes,which is credited to its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties.
Hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure and regulates it in hypertensive patients by its impact on the nerves,
The rich antioxidant content helps in preventing liver damage, and premature ageing.
It has antibacterial and anti-viral properties which is attributed to its high vitamin c content.
It is equally high in catechuic acid, which makes the tea very effective in inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells,
It relieves menstrual pains, aids digestion, and is equally very effective as an anti-depressant.
All species of hibiscus plants are not naturally endowed with the same medicinal virtues, the hibiscus saddarifa species, especially the calyx benefits the body medicinally more than other species, this
Hibiscus plant can be used for various ailments
The flowers and leaves can be used fresh dried or powdered.
The effect in healing and beauty care is amazing as detailed below
Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants with the ability to lower cholesterol levels
Regular use of tea is very beneficial in lowering the bad cholesterol levels in the body thereby preventing its permanent damaging effect on the blood vessels which could lead to heart diseases.
Studies have proven that regular use of hibiscus tea could help to manage high blood pressure effectively, and also help prevent high blood pressure. because of its cardiovascular protective properties.
HIBISCUS PLANT IS HELPFUL IN MANAGING DIABETES.
It is rich in hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties which shows that it’s total calorie content is quite low, and the fat content is equally low with high fibre, which makes it highly beneficial in the management of diabetes and prevention of its complications
HIBISCUS TEA PROTECTS THE LIVER.
Hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants that protect the liver from damage and is also very good in the treatment of liver diseases, due to its ability in neutralizing the free radicals in the liver cells that cause liver damage.
Its effect also benefits the whole body as such it is advisable we use it regularly to maintain good health and to prevent many health problems.
The health benefits of hibiscus plants in the body are summarized as follows
It is rich in antioxidants, vitamin c, beta carotene, and anthocyanin
Fights inflammation
Lowers blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol
Promotes weight loss
Fights bacteria
Supports liver health
Prevents premature ageing.
It is a warehouse of antioxidants such as beta carotene, vitamin c and anthocyanin making it a very good body defender, especially against the damaging effects of free radicals that damage cells and cause diseases like Cancer.
Many studies in experimental animals, and humans have shown it’s ability in fighting inflammation and helping arthritic and rheumatoid sufferers improve their joint flexibility,
Lowers blood pressure
Regular use of hibiscus tea has proven very beneficial in preventing, lowering, , and maintaining normal blood pressure,
High blood pressure has become one of the modern scourges of humanity because of its silent killing effect, and other complications like heart attack, stroke and heart failure
It is advisable we use this humble plant to fight this silent killer.
Lowers cholesterol
High cholesterol is a forerunner to heart problems, and in nature, we have been blessed to maintain normal cholesterol levels by regular use of this multipurpose lowly plant and herb, its effect compares favourably to our highly honoured cholesterol-lowering store-bought drugs of today,
Prevention is better than treatment, it is therefore recommended that everybody to make hibiscus tea our health-friendly tea in other to enjoy its many health-promoting benefits.
Weight loss promoting effect.
Many studies and personal experiments have shown remarkable evidence of its effect on weight reduction especially the hibiscus extract which is more concentrated.
.more studies are needed on the weight-promoting effect of this tea.
Hibiscus extract fights bacteria
Laboratory studies have proven that hibiscus extract keeps bacteria at check,this may be credited to its high antioxidants, beta, FF c and .fs
more studies are also needed in this area too.
Hibiscus tea supports liver health
Many researchers have shown evidence that we are as healthy as our liver, which means that our liver needs adequate support to sustain its vital function in maintaining good health and luckily enough this highly taken-for-granted plant is a warehouse of assortments of life-sustaining properties. highly needed to help this vital organ boost its functions optimally to maintain the body in good health, repair it and prevent health diseases and complications
Hibiscus plant has anti-cancer-protecting properties
Hibiscus plant contains powerful anti-cancer protecting properties called polyphenols, which have been proven from many research findings to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, , and also in fighting free radicals that damage the cells to cause diseases.
Summary
Hibiscus is a multipurpose plant, useful as a house plant, herb, medicinal, and culinary.
Its health benefits are many
It lowers blood pressure
Lowers cholesterol.
Boosts liver health.
Could help manage diabetes
Fights bacteria, and prevents certain cancer growth
Aids digestion, and weight loss
Has cardiovascular protective properties.
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