Hibiscus in biomed research!

[helixturnhelix]

Upon doing some research to learn more about pigment formation I came across a bunch of papers which looked at the therapeutic properties extracted chemicals and enzymes from Hibiscus sabdariffa have on a variety of different health problems.

One article describes polyphenols (antioxidants) extracted from H. sabdariffa to have an anti-inflamatory effect.  Another study showed that these polyphenols (called HPEs) also had an effect on improving hydropic change in rats which had Diabetic nephropathy as well as increasing the activity of other essential enzymes. 

Yet another article looks at another polyphenol extracted from H. sabdariffa, (HPI) which showed to protect smooth muscle cells from high levels of glucose.  This could be an herbal supplement that would protect smooth muscle in diabetic patients from glucose accumulation. 

Most of this research is being done in Taiwan, but it is still very interesting.  Who knew that hibiscus produce therapeutic compounds?

Below is a picture of H. sabdariffa

[Darkhorse]

Have heard of people drinking hibiscus tea, but I can't remember where I read it or what ailment it was consumed to treat.  I'll see if I can find the article again.

[helixturnhelix]

I would like to see that article if you could find it

[Nievesgirl]

Have heard of people drinking hibiscus tea, but I can't remember where I read it or what ailment it was consumed to treat.  I'll see if I can find the article again.

Yeah Latinos call it Jamaica , My boy friend keeps ranting and raving about it since he is mexican and see how much I love hibiscus , its really good especially if its real jamaica and not artificial

jamaica  is not pronounce like jamaica  the country either , It sounds like this Ha~mai~ka

http://www.teabenefits.com/herbal-tea-benefits/hibiscus-tea-benefits.html

[Charlie]

On the web page titled "Are They Edible" Cindy summed up a 2008 study by the US Department of Agriculture and the American Heart Association found that hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure in adults with mildly high blood pressure! In the study, 3 cups per day of tea made from Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers over a period of 6 weeks lowered systolic blood pressure an average of 7-13 points, and diastolic blood pressure 6.4 points. The higher the participant's blood pressure was, the bigger the drop tended to be.

We have some small plants of H. sabdariffa growing now. It's a strange little plant with odd flowers and probably should be planted in the garden instead of kept in small pots like these are. From what you found, Chris, plus this blood pressure info it would seem this might be a good plant to have around  and make a daily cuppa from.

Here's the link to the HVH web page: http://www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/trivia/edible.htm

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

I just got around to reading this post, and that is very interesting about lowering blood pressure.  Who knows what other chemicals are lurking in hibiscus tissue that have therapeutic effects. 

[Charlie]

Hibiscus have a long history of use around the world. From religion to medicine to ornamental horticulture you can find references to hibiscus. It's probably why they spread so far and wide in the old days. When people packed up what was important to them they seem to have thrown some hibiscus seeds in the boat before setting out on their journeys into the unknown.

Charlie