Hibiscus Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Ambashthaki, Bissap, Groseille de Guinée, Gongura, Guinea Sorrel, Hibiscus Calyx, Hibisco, Jamaica Sorrel, Karkadé, Karkade, Oseille Rouge, Oseille de Guinée, Pulicha Keerai, Red Tea, Red Sorrel, Roselle, Rosa de Jamaica, Sudanese Tea, Sour Tea, Thé Rouge, Thé Rose d'Abyssinie, Zobo Tea, Zobo CAUTION: Please refer to separate listing for Ambrette
Scientific Name
Hibiscus Sabdariffa
Why Do People Use Hibiscus?
The oral preparations of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hibiscus), like hibiscus powder, are utilized for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, hypercholesterolemia, colds, loss of appetite, stomach mucous membrane inflammation, upper respiratory tract infection, cancer, circulatory conditions, as a gentle laxative and diuretic and for dissolving phlegm.
In Beverages & Food Items - For commercial purposes, hibiscus powder is utilized as a flavoring agent. It is also utilized to enhance the flavor, odor or appearance of tea mixtures.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - Hibiscus is considered safe when utilized orally in amounts usually found in food items. It has attained Generally Recognized As Safe status (GRAS) in the US.
Appropriate usage of hibiscus in safe even in medicinal amounts. Hibiscus is thought to be safe when utilized in a clinical trials lasting six weeks. A particular extract of hibiscus leaf has also considered safe for up to 90 days of use.
Likely Unsafe for Pregnant Females - Oral consumption of hibiscus powder is considered unsafe for pregnant females. Hibiscus is thought to be a menstrual stimulant and it may have abortifacient effects.
Avoid in Lactation - Hibiscus should be avoided by breast feeding females because there is scarce information available to determine its safety in such conditions.
How Effective Is Hibiscus?
There is scare information available to rate the effectiveness of Hibiscus sabdariffa for following conditions:
Hypercholesterolemia - Clinical experiments suggest that the oral intake of specific leaves extract of hibiscus called Green Chem, Bangalore, India in a dosage of one gram per day for consecutively 90 days does not better lipid parameters as compared to placebo.
Hypertension - Clinical studies also recommend that daily usage of hibiscus tea may help in lowering blood pressure in individuals over age 18 with mild hypertension and pre-hypertension. In another clinical experiment, usage of 1.25 grams hibiscus tea (Celestial Seasonings) mixed with 240 mL of water and then stirred for six minutes and used thrice a day decreased systolic blood pressure by a mean value of 7.2 mmHg after a treatment of six weeks. Another study provided insufficient information about effectiveness of hibiscus to cure hypertension.
More confirmations are required regarding the effectiveness of hibiscus for these uses.
How Hibiscus Works?
The most effective part of Hibiscus sabdariffa is the sepal or calyx, flower, stems, leaves and seeds.
Extract of sepal consists of large amount of polyphenols, anthocyanins and vitamin C. The sepal also contains high concentrations of antioxidants. The leaf and seed of hibiscus also consist of highest amount of vitamin E. The seeds of hibiscus consist of the highest amount of lipid solvent antioxidant.
There is about 19% oil in the seeds of hibiscus. Primary fatty acids in hibiscus include about 20% palmitic acid, 29% of oleic acid and 40% of linoleic acid. The seed oil also consists of few sterols including campesterol, 5-avenasterol, beta-sitosterol and others.
According to researchers, hibiscus powder may have a laxative impact because of high content of inadequately absorbable fruit acids.
Extract of hibiscus also appears to have uterine and intestinal muscle antispasmodic effects anthelmintic properties, hypotensive impacts and in vitro antibacterial actions.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Hibiscus?
Particular extract of hibiscus leaf (Green Chem, Bangalore, India) used in a daily dose of 1 grams may lead to transient gastrointestinal symptoms, for example, flatulence, abdominal distention and epigastric pain.
How Hibiscus Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
No interaction exists between hibiscus powder and different supplements and herbs.
How Hibiscus Interacts With Drugs?
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) - Interaction rating between hibiscus powder and acetaminophen is minor, but be careful about this combination. There is some evidence that oral utilization of hibiscus beverage (Zobo drink) before taking acetaminophen may reduce the elimination half-life of acetaminophen. Hibiscus sabdariffa does not appear to reduce the maximum concentration or area under the curve concentration of acetaminophen.
How Hibiscus Interacts With Foods?
No interaction results by the use of combination of hibiscus powder and various food items.
How Hibiscus Interacts With Lab Tests?
None known.
How Hibiscus Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
The combination of hibiscus powder and various lab tests doesn’t result in any serious interaction or side effects.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Hibiscus?
ORAL For hypercholesterolemia treatment, a particular leaf extract of hibiscus (Green Chem, Bangalore, India) is used in a dose of 1 grams every day.
In order to cure hypertension, hibiscus tea can used daily for three times. Such tea is made by mixing 1.25 grams of hibiscus (Celestial Seasonings) in 240 mL of water for continuously six minutes.
Comments
Hibiscus is a luxuriant annual plant. Its flower parts are utilized to make a popular drink in Egypt called Karkade. Most of its parts are also used to make spices, jams, sauces and soups.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
