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Hibiscus is a medicinal plant that can be used to help with weight loss diets, in addition to helping control blood pressure and even preventing liver problems.
This plant can also be popularly known as Azedinha, Okra-azedo, Caruru-azedo, Rosélia or Vinagreira, but its scientific name is Hibiscus sabdariffa. This plant can be purchased at health food stores and some markets.
9 main health benefits
Hibiscus tea has several benefits and, therefore, can be used to assist in the treatment of various health problems. Hibiscus is good for:
- Help to lose weight because it is a great diuretic and also helps in burning fat;
- Improve constipation because it has a laxative action;
- Fight liver diseases and detoxify this organ because it boosts the functioning of this organ;
- Relieve menstrual cramps because it has analgesic action;
- Combat colds and flu, for having antioxidant action that strengthens the immune system;
- Regulating cholesterol levels especially increasing HDL "good" cholesterol, but also by helping to lower LDL levels;
- Relieve stomach pain due to analgesic action and for having a calming effect;
- Regulate blood pressure in the blood because it has antihypertensive properties;
- Delay skin aging because it is rich in antioxidants.
The most popular way to use this plant is to make teas, but its flowers can also be used in salads, and other parts of the plant can be used to make jams, soups and sauces, so it is a very versatile way to improve health.
How to use hibiscus
The most used part of the hibiscus is its flower, especially for making tea:
- To make hibiscus tea: add 2 tablespoons full of dried hibiscus flowers, 2 sachets or 1 teaspoon of the powder in 1 liter of water at the beginning of boiling. Turn off the heat and cover the container for ten minutes, strain and drink.
To help with the weight loss process, you should take 3 to 4 cups of hibiscus tea daily, half an hour before your main meals.
There are also capsules that contain powdered hibiscus inside. These capsules are usually sold to those who are trying to lose weight and their use should be done according to the indications on the box, since they vary according to the brand.
Possible side effects
Although it does not happen in all people, hibiscus can cause dizziness, weakness or drowsiness by causing a slight reduction in blood pressure. Thus, people who have low blood pressure should not consume hibiscus in large quantities, nor without medical advice.
Who should not use
Hibiscus is contraindicated for people with low blood pressure, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, periods of PMS and women who are trying to conceive, as it changes the production of hormones and can, in some cases, make pregnancy difficult.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- GAIA HERBS. Hibiscus Sabdariffa: A Research Review of Its Uses and Safety. Available in: . Accessed on 27 Mar 2020
- SURESH, V .; AMMAAN. Medicinal uses of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies. Vol.5, n.4. 97-98, 2017
- BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENT, PHARMACOLOGY AND LIFE SCIENCES. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) in Sudan, Cultivation and Their Uses. 2012. Available at:. Accessed on 27 Mar 2020