{"id":12363,"date":"2024-06-03T19:44:40","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T18:44:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=12363"},"modified":"2025-07-03T08:50:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T07:50:22","slug":"hibiscus","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/hibiscus\/","title":{"rendered":"Hibiscus"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":12491,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"97b12a84-83ab-4464-bffc-c8e7aecc510f","beyondwords_preview_token":"de167dd8-0e3a-4e30-8653-d267fa5a4c68","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[1753,1752,1259,1635,1751],"conditions":[694,698,695,700,697],"sustainability":[1575],"sense":[31,786,28,30,27],"western_action":[989,992,1823,994,996,997,1000,1005,1009,1010,1011,1012,1018],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1492,1499,1541,1557,1382,1533,1487,1554,1543,1558,1560,1552,1556,1562,1496,1538,1494,1549],"region":[1898],"class_list":["post-12363","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-anti-hyperglycaemic","tag-anti-hyperlipidaemic","tag-antihypertensive","tag-hypotensive","tag-refrigerant","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-reproductive-system","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-skin","conditions-urinary-system","sustainability-amber-sustainability-status","sense-astringent-taste","sense-cooling","sense-mucilaginous","sense-sharp","sense-sweet","western_action-alterative","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antihyperlipidemic","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-antirheumatic","western_action-antispasmodic","western_action-astringent","western_action-demulcent","western_action-emmenagogue","western_action-expectorant","western_action-febrifuge","western_action-galactagogue","western_action-relaxant","energetics_action-toning","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-astringent-post-digestive-effect-vipaka","energetics_action-blood","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-cooling","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-kapha-constitution-dosha","energetics_action-light","energetics_action-muscle","energetics_action-nervous","energetics_action-pitta-constitution-dosha","energetics_action-plasma","energetics_action-reproductive","energetics_action-sour","energetics_action-sour-post-digestive-effect-vipaka","energetics_action-sweet","energetics_action-vata","region-traditional-chinese-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20240603","herb_author":null,"banner_text":"Hibiscus is traditionally used to treat high blood pressure","latin_name":"Hibiscus sabdariffa \/ Hibiscus rosa-sinensis<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Malvaceae","herb_summary":"Hibiscus is an important medicine for cardiovascular health that has been well researched for its hypotensive effects. Herbalists also use hibiscus to support urinary system, specifically in the treatment of cystitis and recurrent urinary tract infections.","key_benefits":"Cardiovascular diseases\r\nHigh blood pressure\r\nUrinary tract inflammation\r\nDiabetes\r\nObesity and hyperlipidaemia\r\nAntioxidant\r\nCoughs","how_does_it_feel":"Hibiscus has a fruity, sweet and sour taste profile. An infusion made from hibiscus flowers is pleasant, refreshing and easy to drink. It also has an astringent quality that can be sensed upon tasting with a distinct puckering or drying action in the mouth. <\/span>","hdif_image_1":12364,"hdif_image_2":12365,"hdif_image_3":12489,"hdif_video":"","sense":[31,786,28,30,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"[caption id=\"attachment_12489\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"600\"]\"Hibiscus Hibiscus flowering (Hibiscus sabdariffa<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHibiscus is a popular herbal tea that can be taken as a cold or hot infusion. It is rich in many nutrients and bioactive substances that have a wide range of benefits to health. One such group of compounds in hibiscus are a<\/span>nthocyanins. These powerful antioxidant compounds are what give hibiscus its rich red colour <\/span>(1).<\/span>\r\n\r\nHibiscus has many benefits to systemic health through these antioxidant qualities, supporting the cardiovascular system and improving the health of the mucous membranes throughout the body. Hibiscus helps to improve the appearance of the skin, brightening the complexion and promoting hair growth (2).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is useful for those who are prone to <\/span>urinary tract infections<\/span><\/a> (UTIs) as it helps to nourish and repair the inflamed tissues. Hibiscus is an important herb for cystitis and as part of a healing strategy for recurrent UTIs both during and after. It works via an astringent and anti-inflammatory action. Hibiscus also has antimicrobial actives and mild diuretic actions which help to flush out the urinary tract (2,3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nNOTE: It is, however, important to note that whilst hibiscus may be able to assist in healing of the urinary tract, it cannot be used alone to treat the infection itself (3). One must ensure that UTIs are treated appropriately to tackle the infection, either by consulting a medical herbalist or under treatment of a qualified medical professional. Hibiscus is often used alongside diuretic herbs like <\/span>corn silk<\/span><\/a> and anti-infectives such as uva-ursi or juniper berry. A herbalist will often advise a course of herbal treatment along with dietary changes and other supplements to create a lasting resolution, as well as to reduce the chances of recurring infections.<\/span>\r\n\r\nOne of hibiscus\u2019s most popular uses is for the treatment of <\/span>hypertension<\/span><\/a> (high blood pressure). It is best to work alongside a quailed medical herbalist if you have moderate to severe hypertension. However, hibiscus can be used as a home remedy in mild hypertension or prophylactically to help maintain healthy blood pressure. It also offers great benefit to the physiological health of the cardiovascular system (4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nHibiscus has a number of benefits to metabolic health, as it has been found to reduce blood lipids and blood sugars as well as to address obesity via a number of effects on body weight. Obesity and high blood pressure along with high levels of fat and sugar in the blood can lead to increased risk of serious cardiovascular disease. Hibiscus may be used to help maintain healthy metabolic function and reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease (5).<\/span>\r\n