The claims made for Healthy Hibiscus:
Treats Skin Afflictions (1)
Lowers cholesterol levels (2, 3, 4)
Astringent (5, 6)
Treats Hypertension / Lowers High blood pressure (7, 8)
Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes(9, 10)
Weight Loss (11)
These below are traditional uses - we are presently researching references:
soothes colds
opens blocked nose
clears up mucous
promotes proper kidney function
helps digestion
general tonic
diuretic
helps reduce fever
References:
1. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985:228–9.
2. Sharma S, Sultana S. Effect of Hibiscus rosa sinensis extract on hyperproliferation and oxidative damage caused by benzoyl peroxide and ultraviolet radiations in mouse skin. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2004;95:220–5.
3. Zheng MS. An experimental study of the anti-HSV-II action of 500 herbal drugs. J Tradit Chin Med 1989;9:113–6.
4. El-Saadany SS, Sitohy MZ, Labib SM, el-Massry RA. Biochemical dynamics and hypocholesterolemic action of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Karkade). Nahrung 1991;35:567-76.
5. Brunold C, Deters A, Knoepfel-Sidler F, et al. Polysaccharides from Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers stimulate proliferation and differentiation of human keratinocytes. Planta Med 2004;70:370–3.
6. Muller BM, Franz G. Chemical structure and biological activity of polysaccharides from Hibiscus sabdariffa. Planta Med 1992;58:60–7.
7. (REF:Haji Faraji M, Haji Tarkhani AH. The effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on essential hypertension. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;65:231–6.
8. Herrera-Arellano A, Flores-Romero S, Chavez-Soto MA, Tortoriello J. Effectiveness and tolerability of a standardized extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa in patients with mild to moderate hypertension: a controlled and randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine 2004;11(5):375–82.
9. Alam MM, Siddiqui MB, Hussain W. Treatment of diabetes through herbal drugs in rural India. Fitoterapia 1990;61:240–2.
10. Sachdewa A, Khemani LD. Effect of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn ethanol flower extract on blood glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2003;89:61–6.
11. Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa on obesity in MSG mice.
Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Zamilpa A, Perez-Garcia MD, Almanza-Perez JC, Romero-Nuñez E, Campos-Sepulveda EA, Vazquez-Carrillo LI, Roman-Ramos R.
Effectiveness and tolerability of a standardized extract from Hibiscus sabdariffa in patients with mild to moderate hypertension: a controlled and randomized clinical trial.
Herrera-Arellano A, Flores-Romero S, Chávez-Soto MA, Tortoriello J.
The consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa dried calyx ethanolic extract reduced lipid profile in rats.
Carvajal-Zarrabal O, Waliszewski SM, Barradas-Dermitz DM, Orta-Flores Z, Hayward-Jones PM, Nolasco-Hipólito C, Angulo-Guerrero O, Sánchez-Ricaño R, Infanzón RM, Trujillo PR.
Note: Hibiscus sabdariffa is an effective remedy for various ailments but should NOT replace conventional medicine or prescription drugs.
