Hibiscus Flower [Rosella]

• Hibiscus flowers (in Sanskrit, Ambashthaki) are used to make a refreshing tea.
• Hibiscus tea has a ruby red color and a sour, or tart taste, with a flavor similar to cranberry.
• It is both a refreshing and medicinal, caffeine-free tea that can be consumed hot or cold.
• Hibiscus is also used to make jam, syrups, wines and cocktails

• with henna or even curd to get maximum effects.
• This powder helps to strengthen roots and make hair stronger and thicker.
• The flowers can solve hair loss and graying. One can mix Hibiscus powder with Amala powder mixed with water or curd and apply all over the scalp and hair. This is also a very nourishing hair mask.
• Hibiscus powder when mixed with lemon juice can cure dandruff and reduce hairfall
• For natural hair treatment with hibiscus, the flowers are dried, ground to fine powder, and mixed with some water to apply on the scalp.
• Hibiscus is a natural hair coloring powder and works wonders when mixed with Mehendi oil or Henna.
• ibiscus stimulates the production of the blood and ensure that vital nutrients reach the hair follicles.
• Hibiscus can remove head lice.

Hibiscus for skin:

• Hibiscus is sometimes called the ‘Botox plant’ because it is very efficient for increasing skin elasticity. Hibiscus firms and lifts your skin. It inhibits the activity of the elastase enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down our skin’s elastin.
• Hibiscus has a high mucilage content, a sticky substance produced by plants that help with the storage of water and food.
• Mucilage makes a fantastic natural skin moisturiser that is gentle on sensitive skin.
• Hibiscus is highly effective for curing acne
• The juice made from these flowers can treat skin wounds
• Hibiscus naturally reduces “age spots” that occur due to ultraviolet radiation and excess melanin productions.
• The natural acids present in Hibiscus help to purify your skin by breaking down dead skin and increasing cell turnover. Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants, called anthocyanocides, which:
  • Help to clear pollutants such as ultraviolet radiation and traffic pollution on the skin, which can result in premature skin ageing.
  • Have slightly astringent properties, helping to reduce the appearance of large pores for a smoother complexion.
  • Unlike harsh synthetic forms of these acids which can strip your skin of its natural oils, the organic acids from Hibiscus bring your skin back in balance for a naturally glowing complexion.

Other medicinal uses:

• Egyptians used hibiscus tea to lower body temperature, treat heart and nerve diseases, and as a diuretic to increase urine production.
• 15-30% of the hibiscus plant is made up of plant acids, including citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and allo-hydroxycitric acid lactone.
• It is rich in alkaloids, anthocyanins, and quercetin. Some of the active flavonoids in hibiscus are sabdaretine, gossypetin, and hibiscetine.

Hallucinatory effects:

• Some people may feel intoxicated or experience hallucination after drinking hibiscus tea.
• Therefore, be cautious until you know how your body reacts to the tea.
• Don’t drive a car or try anything particularly dangerous until you know what its effects are on your system.

Precautions:

• Hibiscus should not be consumed by pregnant, breastfeeding women or by the women who are on medication for fertility treatments.
• The levels of estrogen in the body are reduced; menstruation is triggered and a miscarriage might be the result.
• Hibiscus is not recommended for women who are taking birth control pills.
• Refrain from taking hibiscus tea and its supplements if you are under any hormonal treatment.
• Do not take hibiscus if you are suffering from low blood pressure. It might lower the levels more.

Research

• Phytochemical and Antioxidant Activity of Hibiscus
• Hibiscus sabdariffa L. – A phytochemical and pharmacological review
• Hibiscus sabdariffa L. – A phytochemical and pharmacological review
• Phytochemical analysis and medicinal uses of Hibiscus sabdariffa