Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis is a brilliant scarlet tropical flower that has been traditionally used as food and medicine. It has a good supply of anthocyanins, B-vitamins like folic acid and niacin calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc.
Hibiscus And Cancer
Experts have found that that Chinese hibiscus flower extract exhibited antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects, which gave it anti-cancer activity.
In a study, published in BMC Contemporary and Alternative Medicine, researchers from the University of Windsor in Canada have found that Chinese hibiscus flower (Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis) extracts had a considerable anti-cancer activity that induces cell death in breast cancer cells without harming non-cancerous cells.
To determine the effectiveness of Chinese hibiscus on breast cancer cells, researchers extracted a water-based solution from powdered hibiscus flowers. They applied different amounts of the hibiscus extract to healthy cells and two types of cancerous cells.
The researchers then evaluated the apoptotic morphology caused by the hibiscus extract, looked at the biochemical markers of the solution’s anti-cancer activity, measured the reduction of the mitochondrial membrane potential of targeted cells, and assessed how hibiscus extract achieved its cancer-killing effects by tracking its generation of reactive oxygen species that damaged cells.
At the end of the study, results revealed that the hibiscus flower extract induced cell death in both triple-negative (one of the most difficult to treat types) and estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells while leaving non-cancerous cells alone.
Moreover, hibiscus has also been found to be able to slow down the growth of cancerous cells in human leukemia cells. It works by inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death). This was according to a study conducted by the Department and Institute of Biochemistry at the Chung Shan Medical and Dental College, in Taichung, Taiwan. Additionally, a team of researchers led by Karina H. Goldberg reported that hibiscus is also beneficial in the treatment of skin cancer cells and gastric cancer cells.
Aside from fighting off certain types of cancer, hibiscus also offers numerous health benefits. Read on and get healthier.
Helps Control Blood Pressure
Hibiscus possesses antihypertensive and cardioprotective properties, which are beneficial for people suffering from hypertension and those at high risks of cardiovascular diseases.
Helps Improve Digestion
Hibiscus has diuretic properties that can help treat constipation, regularize bowel movements, and urination, improve the health of our gastrointestinal system, and lower our risk of colorectal cancer.
Aids In Weight Loss
It lowers glucose and starch absorption. These are two components that can lead to weight gain and may help aid in weight loss.
Helps Protect The Liver
Due to its antioxidant properties, hibiscus has been found to have significant effects in liver steatosis, is a condition which constitutes of fat accumulation in the liver and could lead to liver failure.
One way of reaping these awesome benefits is by drinking hibiscus tea. Here’s how to make it.
Keep a pot of water to boil on a stove. Take 2 tsp of dried hibiscus flowers, which equals to 10 ml of the same (to be more accurate) and add it to the boiling water. Once the water is boiled, pour the water slowly and steadily into a teapot. Allow it to steep for five minutes (If you wish your tea to be strong, allow it to steep for more than 5 minutes). Add honey for additional taste and benefits.
