Hibiscus plants are known for their large, colorful flowers. These blossoms can make a decorative addition to a home or garden, but they also have medicinal uses. The flowers and leaves can be made into teas and liquid extracts that can help treat a variety of conditions.
Hibiscus can ejuvenate the body and reduce the risk of cancer
Hibiscus contains a very rare antioxidant called flavonoids. The antioxidants have the effect of preventing the aging process of the body. Flavonoid is an effective antioxidant compound that accounts for up to 12% in fruits and 5-6% in Hibiscus leaves. Flavonoids are slow oxidizing agents or prevent oxidation by free radicals, which can cause cells to behave abnormally.
Flavonoids also have the ability to complex with metal ions, so they act as catalysts to prevent oxidation reactions. Therefore, flavonoids have the effect of protecting the body, preventing atherosclerosis, stroke, aging, liver degeneration, radiation damage.
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that increases capillary permeability. When this enzyme exceeds, bleeding under the skin will occcur. Flavonoid inhibits the activity of hyaluronidase. Therefore, if flavonoid is added, the situation will improve.
Researchers have also shown the effects of flavonoid on cardiovascular risks such as high blood pressure. Flavonoids stabilize the walls, used in cases of venous dysfunction, varicose veins or weakness, hemorrhoids, retinal circulatory disorders …
Flavonoids also have anti-toxic effects, reduce liver damage, protect liver function, reduce blood fat.
Hibiscus helps reduce blood pressure
One of the most powerful effects of Hibiscus is its ability to lower blood pressure. Many studies in the world have shown that regular consumption of Hibiscus tea has the same effect as using blood pressure-lowering medicines.
Scientists at the University of Seattle (USA) have evaluated 70 people with symptoms of mild to moderate hypertension. Some patients will take 16 ounces of Hibiscus (about 500ml) before breakfast each day and a group will take 25mg of Captopril (a common medicine to lower blood pressure) 2 times a day for 4 weeks.
Patients were measured at the beginning of the experiment and weekly throughout the study. After 4 weeks, the scientists found that Hibiscus and captopril tea had almost the same effect: diastolic blood pressure was reduced by a minimum of 10 points among 79% of those who had used Hibiscus and was 84% in the group of people taking captopril blood pressure medicine.
Research has shown that natural Hibiscus tea may be as effective as the blood pressure lowering medications, and it’s actually one of the best benefits from Hibiscus Tea.
Hibiscus helps improve blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.
Studies on animals (conducted by researchers from Chung Shan University of Medicine in Taiwan) have shown that the antioxidants in Hibiscus will help lower cholesterol. Hibiscus helps protect the artery walls and balance cholesterol levels.
Other studies conducted by scientists from Shahid Sadoughi Medical University – Iran also showed that diabetic patients who use Hibiscus tea 2 times a day for 1 month also improved Cholesterol intake. The amount of good HDL cholesterol goes up and the bad LDL cholesterol level goes down. The higher the LDL Cholesterol level is, the higher the risk of heart disease or other cardiovascular diseases people can prevent from. The amount of lipids (Triglycerides) also reduces significantly.
Hibiscus is a great source of Vitamin C
Hibiscus is a good source of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a vitamin that the body needs to grow and repair cells and tissues in the body. Vitamin C is also important for your skin (Vitamin C is needed for collagen synthesis to help you have a healthy skin; unfortunately, your body makes less and less collagen with age) , to heal wounds and strengthen bones and teeth. In addition, the supply of Vitamin C in Hibiscus also helps reduce fever, body temperature and sedation.
Moreover, Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, meaning it helps prevent free radicals from being produced each time the body absorbs food and is the main cause. aging, cancer, heart disease and arthritis.
Some people also believe that Vitamin C also strengthens the immune system and helps fight off common colds. However, the fact that vitamin C only helps reduce the risk of catching a cold by reducing symptoms or helping the body recover faster after getting sick.
Hibiscus is rich in electrolytes
Every day when you work, your body loses its electrolytes (such as sodium, chloride, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus) through the sweat glands. You need electrolytes to regulate the amount of fluid in your body, maintaining a balance of blood pH and sending out electrical signals that are an important part of all body activities.
And Hibscus is rich in electrolytes. Thanks to that, it is a great refreshing drink after each exercise and certainly much better than energy drinks containing sugar and artificial chemicals.
Hibiscus helps the digestive system work better
Hibiscus can treat common digestive problems such as bloating or flatulence. Hibiscus also helps laxative, cure constipation, diuretic, cystitis, limiting the formation of stones in the urinary tract.
Hibiscus is an effective weight loss beverage
Without sugar, Hibiscus is a calorie-free beverage. Using Hibiscus after a meal helps the body digest carbohydrates, accelerate metabolism and burn fat faster, prevent and limit obesity due to fat accumulation. Moreover, Hibiscus also reduces the amount of water in the body to help you have a slimmer physique.
Hibiscus is a great source of vitamins
Besides these medicinal properties, Hibiscus is also an wonderful beverage with a characteristic natural sour taste. Hibiscus also ranks first among fruits in terms of Vitamin content, amino acids and micronutrients that work well for the body.