Hibiscus Uses for Humans
Hibiscus consists of more than 200 species spread throughout the world. Hibiscus is known as a flower that provides many benefits for the health of the human body. Various parts of this plant are commonly used to create spices, jams, sauces, soups and many more.
You may already know the benefits of one of the Hibiscus species called roselle flowers. Yeah… Roselle tea offers amazing benefits, one of which is that it can lower high blood pressure in the human body.
Not only that, there are many other uses of Hibiscus that are no doubt useful. Then, what are they? Let’s take a look at some of the uses of hibiscus for humans, both natural and mixed in our post below!
- Reducing high blood pressure
Currently, hibiscus is well-known for its potential to lower high blood pressure. Some early research shows that someone who drinks hibiscus tea for 2 – 6 weeks reduces blood pressure with mild high blood pressure.
Other early research proves that taking a hibiscus extract by mouth for around 4 weeks probably will be effective as the prescription drug captopril for lowering blood pressure in people with mild to moderate high blood pressure.
In fact, a randomized clinical trial examined the effect of sour tea which was available commercially in Iran on essential hypertension in otherwise healthy volunteers. Then, a decrease in blood pressure was seen.
Even though there’s no significant side effect found in this research, but the use of sour tea for treating hypertension really requires further study. It means that, the result of the study from various clinical studies shows that there’s not enough proof to get a strong conclusion about the effect of hibiscus for decreasing high blood pressure.
If in subsequent clinical studies there is evidence that the hibiscus plant can actually lower blood pressure in a person steadily, then this could be good news for the future of treating high blood pressure.
- Lowering high cholesterol levels
Early research shows that taking specific extracts of hibiscus leaves such as India, Bangalore, Green Chem for 90 days does not improve cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. Even modern studies seem to show promise for hibiscus tea and plant extracts for lowering high cholesterol levels
However, taking hibiscus extract by mouth for 12 weeks does not appear to lower cholesterol compared to the drug pravastatin and may increase cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol.
Although more research is needed, if further research shows that the hibiscus plant is clinically proven to lower high cholesterol levels in humans, this could be good news for the treatment of heart disease in the future.
- Chemopreventive effects
The components of the hibiscus reportedly have anti-inflammatory which have shown potential as a chemo-preventive agent against tumor promotion in laboratory and also animal studies.
However, the early research reveals that no clinical data associated with the use of hibiscus plant as a chemo-preventive agent.
- As an antibacterial agent
The hibiscus extract in water seems to have a slight antibacterial effect. According to early study in laboratory and animal studies, worms were killed by hibiscus extracts.
Even though the research reveals that there’s no clinical data associated with the use of hibiscus as an antibacterial or vermifuge for killing worms, if in the further research is proven, it could be the good news for cleaning bacteria using natural ingredients.
- Laxative effects
The hibiscus plant has been used as a mild laxative. The research shows little or no human clinical data associated with the use of hibiscus as a laxative, while animal studies show a mild cathartic effect.
- Hibiscus’s traditional uses
In fact, the hibiscus plant has had a long history of use in Africa. The flowers of this plant have been used in sachets and perfumes. The mucilaginous leaves have been used as a topical emollient in Africa.
In areas of northern Nigeria, hibiscus has been used to treat constipation. Then, the fiber of hibiscus has been used to create roper as a jute substitute. While the leaves have been used like spinach. Aside from that, the fleshy red calyx is definitely used in the preparation of jams, jellies and cold and warm teas and drinks.
In Iran, drinking sour tea is a popular practice for the treatment of hypertension. This also has been used in the treatment of cancers.
In Egypt, the hibiscus has been used for the treatment of cardiac and nerve disease and has been described as a diuretic.
In Western countries, these hibiscus flowers have been used as the components of herbal tea mixtures.
In Thailand, most people consume roselle juice to lose thirst. Then, the karkade seed products have been studied for their nutritional and functional value.
Read also : How to Make Hibiscus Tea
- Other uses
The hibiscus plant has been studied for its use to prevent renal stone formation and also its respiratory and sedative effects. Until present, there’s no clinical evidence to prove any of those beneficial medical effects.
Moreover, hibiscus anthocyanins have shown antioxidant activity to protect against hepatotoxicity in rats. However, the effectiveness in humans has yet to be proven.
Here’s a list of other uses of Hibiscus plant:
- The leaves can be made for the lotion and used on sores and wounds.
- The red leaves extract can be applied on hair to prevent hair fall and dandruff on the scalp which is also used to make hair protective oils.
- The calyces are harvested fresh to produce pro-health drink as the high contents of vitamin C. Aside from that, it can also be processed into sweet pickles, jam and jelly, while the calyx infusion which is called sudan tea is taken to relieve coughs.
- Hibiscus plant is a very effective home cure for hair hall where the juice from the flowers is mixed with coconut oil and heated until the water evaporates.
- Hibiscus plant signifies the potential ties with weight loss. However, it also has an effect on metabolism to prevent obesity and fat buildup in the liver.
Okay, those are the benefits of hibiscus plant for human body.
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