Hibiscus Flowers

http://www.medicineonline.com/conditions/article.html?articleID=403&catID=12

In the study, rats given a hibiscus flower extract were found to have significantly reduced cholesterol levels in their blood.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Hibiscus+rosa-sinensis

Chinese hibiscus is a sweet, astringent, cooling herb that checks bleeding, soothes irritated tissues and relaxes spasms[238]. The flowers are aphrodisiac, demulcent, emmenagogue, emollient and refrigerant[240]. They are used internally in the treatment of excessive and painful menstruation, cystitis, venereal diseases, feverish illnesses, bronchial catarrh, coughs and to promote hair growth[238, 240]. An infusion of the flowers is given as a cooling drink to ill people[272]. The leaves are anodyne, aperient, emollient and laxative[240]. A decoction is used as a lotion in the treatment of fevers[240]. The leaves and flowers are beaten into a paste and poulticed onto cancerous swellings and mumps[218]. The flowers are used in the treatment of carbuncles, mumps, fever and sores[218]. The root is a good source of mucilage and is used as a substitute for marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) in the treatment of coughs and colds[240, 272]. A paste made from the root is used in the treament of venereal diseases[272].

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/briefs/nutrition/hb041013b.htm

What the researchers wanted to know: Can hibiscus flowers help prevent the build-up of cholesterol?

What they did: The scientists boiled the flowers and filtered the solution to obtain concentrated hibiscus extract. First, they tested the effects of the extract on cholesterol in samples of human blood. Then, they used two groups of 24 rats each; they fed one group a high-sugar diet and one a high-fat diet. Within each group, some rats were given hibiscus in addition to their unhealthy diet. (Some rats in each group were also fed a normal diet as controls.) The scientists compared the cholesterol levels of the rats given hibiscus with those who ate just an unhealthy diet.

http://www.suagcenter.com/documents/Extension%20Circular%20-%20hibiscus.pdf

Its ability to increase urination, attributed to two diuretic ingredients, ascorbic acid and glycolic acid. Because it contains citric acid, it is used as a cooling herb, providing relief during hot weather by increasing the flow of

blood to the skin's surface and dilating the pores to cool the skin. The leaves and flowers are used as a tonic tea for digestive and kidney functions. The heated leaves are applied to cracks in the feet and on boils and ulcers to speed maturation. The calyces and seeds are diuretic, laxative and tonic. The ripe calyces, boiled in water, can be used as a drink to treat bilious attacks. A lotion made from roselle leaves is used on sores and wounds.

References

Morton, J. 1987. Roselle. P.281-286. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F.

Morton, Miami, FL.

James A. Duke. 1983. Handbook of energy crops.

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Hibiscus_sabdariffa.html

What they found: For rats on the high-sugar diet, hibiscus significantly reduced triglyceride levels in the blood. (Triglycerides are a reflection of fat intake and can contribute to high cholesterol levels.) For the rats on a high fat diet, hibiscus reduced the levels of total cholesterol in the rats' blood and especially reduced the amount of LDL or "bad" cholesterol. Based on their experiments with human blood in the lab, the scientists think that hibiscus makes it harder for LDL cholesterol to bind to artery walls, inhibiting the build-up of cholesterol that can cause blockage and heart disease.

What it means to you: Add hibiscus to the list of heart-friendly foods. Like red wine, tea, and even grape juice, hibiscus contains antioxidants and could help your heart

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[266] Flora of China 1994
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[272] Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
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