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hibiscus sabdariffa

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Hibiscus Sabdariffa is the botanical name for a red-green tropical shrub that belongs to the Malvaceae family of plants. This tropical plant is also known as roselle.

Roselle is native to Central Africa, West Africa, and South-East Asia and has become increasingly popular because of the numerous benefits that it offers.

It is easy to grow and can reach tall heights. You can’t miss a growing roselle plant because of its bright red stems and colorful flowers. This plant is quite attractive and produces unique calyces on each of its nodes. However, if you are not in a position to grow one, you can visit lxmi to learn more about buying affordable hibiscus-derived products.

Curious to learn more about this plant? Keep reading as we show you the benefits, recommended dosage, and possible side effects of roselle.

Benefits of Hibiscus Sabdariffa

Roselle offers multiple benefits in the forms of food, traditional medicine, ornaments, and skincare.

You can tap these benefits from practically any part of the plant — its leaves, flowers, and stems.

For instance, the juice extracted from the leaves of the roselle plant is used to treat conjunctivitis in parts of Senegal.  And when it is pulverized, it is used to treat ulcers and sores.

What’s more? There are ongoing studies that show that Hibiscus Sabdariffa can be used to lower cholesterol, manage diabetes, and reduce blood pressure.

The fibers in the stem of this plant are also processed and used as a substitute for jute.

As a food, the fleshy calyces of the red Hibiscus Sabdariffa are used to make a sweet juice commonly known as roselle juice. Its brightly colored leaves are also used in salads because they are tasty and add an exciting flavor to salads. Dried calyces from this plant are also commonly used as ingredients in some recipes.

Roselle is commonly used in the skincare industry because of its anti-aging properties. It is a common ingredient in facial scrubs, body scrubs, and face masks. Studies show that this plant contains antioxidants that will neutralize free radicals on your skin and leave your skin glowing.

The bright colors of the roselle plant and its attractive display also make it suitable for ornamental purposes. So, if you are hosting an outdoorsy event sometime soon and will like a touch of nature in your decoration, then you may want to consider including this plant in your flower arrangements.

See here for more benefits of the plant.

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Recommended Dosage

Hibiscus Sabdariffa in the form of a tea usually involves steeping about a gram of dried calyces.

It is recommended that teas like this should be taken once in the morning or twice a day with about 8 hours between each of the doses.

If you are taking it as a supplement, then the dosage will be based on the anthocyanin content in the supplement. 10mg of roselle-derived anthocyanin is often recommended. Meanwhile, some studies show that higher doses are toxic in rats. So, it is only safe not to exceed the recommended dose.

More importantly, ensure that you consult your doctor before you start Hibiscus Sabdariffa supplements.

Possible Side Effects

Hibiscus teas are generally safe. The only concern may be with the supplements which can have side effects on you if you are not well-informed about the dosage.

For instance, using hibiscus tinctures, powder and capsules excessively can lead to painful urination, stomach pain, headache, gas constipation and even ringing ears.

Meanwhile, you need to have consumed a lot of hibiscus tea for you to experience any side effects. Some of the side effects of taking excessive amounts of hibiscus tea are fatigue and dizziness. Recall that Hibiscus affects blood pressure.

Also, there may be drug interactions with medications like anti-hypertensives, which can lead to hypotension. Interactions with diabetic drugs can also lead to hypoglycemia.

Can pregnant women take it? Well, click https://www.pregnantplate.com/food/are-there-any-benefits-associated-with-having-roselle-during-pregnancy/ to find out how safe roselle is for pregnant women.

To be on the safe side, ensure that you speak with a medical doctor before you take hibiscus in any form.

Conclusion

Roselle is a tropical plant that is popularly known for the numerous benefits that it offers. From food and medicine to ornamental purposes, there are several benefits that one can harness from this plant.

Even though you need to take large amounts of it for any side effects to occur, some caution is advised when it comes to consuming hibiscus in teas or supplements. For starters, ensure that you have spoken to a medical doctor for dosage recommendations and general advice on how to take it.