Hibiscus

The Potent Flower

  • a potent antioxidant
  • anti-inflammatory

Hibiscus has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and high vitamin C content which are all important components for healthy and glowing skin. Hibiscus has been shown to be an effective agent to prevent skin aging caused by UV radiation.1

Hibiscus extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa) may be associated with weight loss and protect against obesity. One 12-week study gave 36 overweight participants either hibiscus extract or a placebo. Data showed that the consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract reduced body weight, BMI, body fat and the waist-to-hip ratio.2

Several studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower blood pressure.3 4

Some test-tube studies have found that hibiscus could help fight bacterial infections (such as bronchitis to pneumonia or urinary tract infections for example).5 However, it is important to notice that there are no human studies on the antibacterial effect of Hibiscus extract yet. More research is needed to determine how hibiscus tea may affect bacterial infections in humans.

Reference:

1 Ryoo, I. J., Moon, E. Y., Kim, Y. H., Lee, I. S., Choo, S. J., Bae, K. H., & Yoo, I. D. (2010). Anti-Skin Aging effect of Syriacusins from Hibiscus syriacus on ultraviolet-irradiated human dermal fibroblast cells. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 18(3), 300-307.

2 Chang, Hong-Chou & Peng, Chiung-Huei & Yeh, Da-Ming & Kao, Erl-Shyh & Wang, Chau-Jong. (2014). Hibiscus sabdariffa extract inhibits obesity and fat accumulation, and improves liver steatosis in humans. Food & function. 5. 10.1039/c3fo60495k.

3 Lawes, Carlene & Bennett, Derrick & Lewington, Sarah & Rodgers, Anthony. (2002). Blood Pressure and Coronary Heart Disease: A Review of the Evidence. Seminars in vascular medicine. 2. 355-68. 10.1055/s-2002-36765.

4 Sahebkar, A. & Serban, Maria-Corina & Dragan, Simona & Urosniu, S. & Florina, A. & Rysz, Jacek & Banach, Maciej. (2015). Effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on arterial hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Atherosclerosis. 241. e190-e191. 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.04.933.

5 Abdallah, Emad. (2016). Antibacterial efficiency of the Sudanese Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), a famous beverage from Sudanese folk medicine. Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology. 5. 1. 10.5455/jice.20160320022623.