Hibiscus rosa sinensis has been used in Siddha medicine, (traditional Tamil medicine from the South of India ) for many centuries. It is considered a laxative, aphrodisiac, and a emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation). It is a blood purifier and is good for curing cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), cough, syphilis, and gonorrhoea. It is also said to be a very good natural source of vitamin C.
My mother swears by the hibiscus flower. She was suffering from chronic constipation, and only a person who has endured constipation knows how bad it really is. A couple of petals of the hibiscus flower every night has totally cured her. She no longer suffers from it.
Medicinal uses and home remedies with Hibiscus
- The leaves when ground to a paste with fenugreek seeds and water, can be used as a shampoo and conditioner for hair.
- 8 to 10 hibiscus flowers soaked in 1 ½ litres of water overnight and consumed three to four times a day for 2 to 3 days (about 2 tbsp at a time) are good for urinary diseases.
- It cools the body and is said to be good for psychiatric ailments.
- Hibiscus is a very effective home remedy for hair loss. To prevent hair loss, the juice of the flowers is mixed with coconut oil and heated till the water evaporates. You can store the oil and apply it to the hair for ½ an hour before a bath. For more on hair fall and its remedies, click here.
- A decoction of the hibiscus flower, milk, jaggery and carom seeds is good for leucorrhea.
- About 5 hibiscus flowers are ground to a paste and consumed with water every morning on an empty stomach, for a week before the expected date of period helps to regularise periods.
Hibiscus health benefits for the skin
Hibiscus is a plant with very powerful antioxidants and anti-ageing properties. It helps increase skin elasticity and firms and lifts up the skin. Hibiscus has citric acid and malic acid. It also has a good amount of vitamin C, which helps in removing dark spots and pigmentation, thus giving your skin a more even tone.
Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants, called anthocyanosides, which help fight free radicals that damage the skin and result in premature ageing. These antioxidants also have astringent properties that help reduce the appearance of pores and give you a smoother-looking complexion. Hibiscus also has an anti-inflammatory effect that helps soothe the skin, thus making it very suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Hibiscus has a good amount of mucilage that helps to retain the moisture on the skin, which helps in having a youthful complexion. It helps the skin stay hydrated, preventing it from drying. It thereby gives a soft, supple and smoother complexion.
Hibiscus is used quite frequently in DIY creams and face packs. Watch the videos below to know how to make them
Hibiscus health benefits for the hair
If you suffer from hair loss, hibiscus is the best remedy to reduce hair fall and help hair growth. Both hibiscus leaves and flowers can be used to stimulate hair growth. The naturally occurring amino acids in hibiscus flowers provide the hair with the nutrients that help in promoting hair growth. The amino acids produce a protein called keratin, which is very good for the hair. The high amount of mucilage in the hibiscus helps to condition the hair and give it a shiny satiny-soft look. Research shows that hibiscus even prevents baldness and is very good at re-growing hair. Hibiscus also helps to treat dandruff and itching and also prevents premature greying of hair. If you have split ends or dry frizzy hair, hibiscus is the simple remedy that will solve all your hair problems.
You can make simple hair oil with hibiscus flowers and leaves, which will help prevent hair fall and help re-grow hair.
Hibiscus Tea Health Benefits
- Hibiscus is a powerful antioxidant, and so builds immunity
- Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol
- Fights inflammation
- Helps in weight loss
- Helps to keep the liver healthy
How to make Hibiscus tea
Hibiscus has a mild flavour and is used to make tea in many cultures throughout the world. You can make hibiscus tea with fresh or dried flowers. To make the tea, pour boiling water over the petals of the flower and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink. Drinking this tea helps to prevent skin, hair and other health issues. To make a tea from the fresh flowers of hibiscus…..
Ingredients
- 150ml hot water
- 1 – 2 fresh hibiscus flower
- 1/2 tsp lime juice
- 1/2 tsp of honey
Method
Heat 150 ml of water. Take a hibiscus flower and remove the stamen and sepals. Now put the hibiscus flower in a cup and pour the hot water over it. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. The flower will lose its colour. Remove the flower. The tea is light pink purplish colour. When you add lime juice to it, it turns a beautiful pink colour. You can also add honey to it if you like. But the tea tastes great all by itself. It’s a little tart and is really tasty.
Watch this video on making hibiscus tea with fresh hibiscus flowers