What Is Hibiscus?

Hibiscus plants give us more than lovely flowers. They make a lovely, bright tea and a complementary flavor in many recipes. Hibiscus holds an honored place in some Hindu rituals, and some cultures consider it a medicinal plant. In preliminary research, scientists have found it may also have some notable health benefits.

The flowers, leaves, and seeds of the hibiscus are all consumable. Most commonly, people use the leaf-like part of the flower that protects the bud as it grows, known as the calyx. A calyx is made up of sepals, the green petal-like structures enclosing the flower bud. The plural form of calyx is calyces. 

After hibiscus flowers die, their calyces become big, red, and juicy. Sometimes called roselle fruit or hibiscus fruit, hibiscus calyces are used in sauces, syrups, jellies, and, of course, tea infusions.

Hibiscus and Hibiscus Tea Benefits

While hibiscus tea or tisanes may not contain many vitamins or minerals, it does contain vitamin C and other antioxidants, which may provide health benefits.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays many essential roles in the body. These include:

• Tissue growth and repair

• The maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth

• Wound healing

• The formation of collagen

• Iron absorption

Vitamin C is also an antioxidant. It can help boost your immune system and may help to prevent cell damage caused by free radicals in the body. This can reduce your risk of developing many significant health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. However, hibiscus should not be considered a replacement for medications for those conditions.

Hibiscus tea contains other antioxidants, such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins give the plant its vibrant color. They may also help prevent many chronic diseases. However, more research is needed to support health claims about antioxidants.

Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease. Some studies show that drinking hibiscus tea may help reduce systolic blood pressure levels when compared to a placebo. Other studies show that it may help to reduce both systolic and diastolicblood pressure. However, if you take a medication for high blood pressure, check with your doctor before drinking hibiscus tea – it can have negative interactions.

Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Some studies show that hibiscus tea may reduce cholesterol levels, which is another risk factor for heart disease. In one study, people who drank hibiscus tea experienced an increase in “good cholesterol” (high-density lipoproteins) and a decrease in “bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoproteins). However, many of the current studies have been limited to individuals with certain conditions and some studies show conflicting results. 

Improve Liver Health

Hibiscus tea may help to improve liver health, but studies are limited and some are contradictory. One study using hamsters showed that hibiscus tea may help decrease markers of liver damage.

Another study with human participants showed that hibiscus extract may improve liver steatosis, which could reduce the risk of liver failure.

Cancer Prevention

Along with anthocyanins, hibiscus tea also contains another antioxidant called polyphenols, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. However, most of the current research involves test tube studies, which are considered preliminary research.

One such study showed that hibiscus extract limits cell growth and reduces the invasiveness of mouth cancer. Other test tube studies show that hibiscus tea may help prevent the spread of prostate cancer cells and stomach cancer cells. This does not mean that drinking hibiscus flower infusions will prevent you from getting cancer.

Antibacterial Properties

Hibiscus tea may provide antibacterial properties. One test tube study showed that hibiscus extract inhibits E. coli. It may also be effective at fighting other, different bacteria strains. But the current research is limited to test-tube studies, and hibiscus should not be considered a replacement for antibiotics.

Promote Weight Loss

Several studies show the potential of hibiscus tea to promote weight loss and prevent obesity. One study showed that hibiscus extract reduced body weight, body fat, and body mass index after 12 weeks. However, the study was quite small and more research is needed.