Top 15 Health Benefits and Uses of Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a plant of the Malvaceae group and is a very common plant in nature. There are almost 300 flowering Hibiscus plants, but among them, the most beneficial is Hibiscus Sabdariffa Linne.

Moreover, this Hibiscus plant is very common in nearly every region with moderate temperatures. Hence, in Ayurveda and herbal treatment, the importance of Hibiscus is never-ending. It can be used in treating multiple health issues. Keep scrolling to learn more about the top health benefits of Hibiscus, its uses, and its limitations.

The benefits of Hibiscus are as follows,

• Helpful for Blood Pressure Management: High blood pressure is a universal problem that affects a huge portion of the global population. High blood pressure leads to hypertension and other physical issues. Hibiscus has unique properties that protect the condition of the heart and blood vessels. Therefore, it reduces high blood pressure and effectively lowers hypertension.
• Improves Liver Health: Due to lifestyle disorders or any other physical illness, people can face severe liver issues. Hibiscus has antioxidants that help control free radicals in liver tissues and other inflammations. Therefore, one can consume Hibiscus tea to get the most effective result in a simple way.
• Antibacterial Properties: One of the major medicinal benefits of Hibiscus is its antibacterial properties. Hibiscus tea has Vitamin C or ascorbic acid, which is effective for boosting immunity. Further, the anti-bacterial function helps control the common cold and flu occurrence. Therefore, it is an excellent natural remedy for fever.
• Works on Menstrual Pain: Menstrual pain is very prevalent in women for different causes. However, the main reason is hormonal imbalance which can be treated excellently with the help of Hibiscus tea. In addition, it can also help in reducing mood swings, depression and other premenstrual syndromes.
• Helpful for Losing Weight: Another advantage of Hibiscus is it has weight losing capabilities. Regular drinking of  Hibiscus tea lowers the secretion of amylase, which absorbs starch, sugar and carbohydrates in the body. Therefore, your body will have lower levels of sugar which further helps in losing weight. So, it is advisable to include Hibiscus tea in your daily diet to cut the harmful effects of carbohydrates.
• Helps in Cholesterol Management: High cholesterol causes devastating effects on the human body. A high amount of LDL cholesterol damages the blood vessels and raises the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Hence, regular consumption of Hibiscus tea can reduce the production of LDL cholesterol and improve your health.
• Helps in Cancer Prevention: A daily dose of Hibiscus can prevent the further growth of cancer cells. This is because the plant has protocatechuic acid, which is effective in reducing tumour size and malignant cell development. In addition, the plant's extract accelerates the process of apoptosis, which is the process of cell death.
• Helpful for Diabetic Patients: Hibiscus tea consists of hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties. These properties are highly beneficial for reducing blood sugar levels. Further, it also lowers triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterols, which help to manage blood sugar effectively.
• Improves Digestion: Hibiscus tea contains beneficial properties that can help improve bowel movement. Further, it also treats problems with urination. In addition, Hibiscus is highly effective for the gastrointestinal system and helps prevent colorectal cancer.
• Anti-Ageing Benefits: Anti-ageing capabilities of Hibiscus are among one the most important benefits of Hibiscus. Regular consumption of Hibiscus tea can effectively reduce the age marks such as wrinkles on your skin. Further, it helps to retain the elasticity and softness of your skin.
• Anti-Stress Benefits: In the present time, every other person is facing issues of depression, stress and anxiety. Of course, lifestyle disorder is the primary cause of it. However, apart from medical help, you can also include Hibiscus tea in your daily diet. It has flavonoids and other important vitamins and minerals that help treat neurological disorders and reduce depression and anxiety.
• Hibiscus for Hair Health: Health benefits of Hibiscus also include improvement of hair health. Research shows that the extract of Hibiscus flowers and leaves is extremely beneficial for blood circulation to hair follicles. Rubbing this extract on the scalp, mixed with oil, boosts blood circulation and promotes hair growth. Further, the Hibiscus flower has vitamins, pigments and anti-oxidants that are highly beneficial for the texture and quality of hair.
• Beneficial for Skin Health: In ancient days, Hibiscus was used as a medicine to treat skin issues. The plant has mucilages that treat several skin diseases and calm the burning sensation. Further, mucilage extract possesses glycerine that retains the skin's moisturising factors.
• Helpful for Kidney Disorder: There are multiple benefits of Hibiscus on kidney health. It reduces the amount of cholesterol, lipids and triglycerides, lowering the chance of oxidative damage. Further, the plant can stimulate uric acid emission through urine, which helps the body in several ways. It is also beneficial for preventing the storing of calcium crystals in the kidneys.
• Prevents Conjunctivitis: There are many unknown beneficial facts about Hibiscus. Treating conjunctivitis is one of those. In addition, some research has found that the Hibiscus plant's leaf juice can help treat conjunctivitis. However, more research is needed for the final statement.

Hibiscus can be either consumed or applied on skin and hair. The usage of Hibiscus is as follows:

• Powder of Hibiscus flower can be used in medicines and cosmetics.
• The dried Hibiscus flowers can be used as Hibiscus tea.
• The pigment of the Hibiscus flower is also a natural colour or dye.
• Hibiscus flowers are also used to make herbal drinks and other foods.

Therefore, the most popular method of consuming Hibiscus is tea, a drink of great taste and multiple health benefits.

Despite its numerous benefits, there are some potential risk factors for its usage. These are as follows:

• Lowers blood pressure very quickly.
• Gives drowsiness.
• Affects oestrogen levels.
• Causes menstrual flow during pregnancy.
• Causes hallucinations.

Considering the risk factors, it is always advisable to consume Hibiscus after consulting with an expert.

The precautions are as follows:

• People with diabetes and low or high blood pressure should use it with precaution and consultation.
• Hibiscus tea might interfere with people under medication for malaria. So it is advised to consume with precaution.

Hibiscus has many health benefits; however, certain people should avoid it for obvious reasons. These people are:

• People with low blood pressure.
• Pregnant women.
• Breastfeeding women.
• People who have malaria.
• Surgical patients.