The Health Benefits of Hibiscus Flowers

There are certain natural remedies that had been used for thousands of years across the globe – right until pharmaceutical grade treatments entered the mainstream, that is.

Many claimed that these specific compounds had the capacity to enhance health and function, improve overall wellness, and even increase longevity.

Interestingly, over the last decades we have seen a shift within the health industry, in which many of these natural remedies have regained their popularity. This is ultimately due to the fact that there has been an abundance of research demonstrating that they not only have the ability to enhance health and function, but also do so in a completely natural and organic manner.

This makes them a very desirable alternative to our more common pharmaceutical health booster as they don’t contain any artificial toxins or chemicals.

And one particular plant that has been used as a natural health booster for centuries is hibiscus flower.

What is Hibiscus Flower?

Hibiscus flowers (Hibiscus sabdariffa, for you nerds out there) are the bright colourful flowers that come directly from the hibiscus plant. While regularly implemented for decorative purposes, they have actually been used for the better part of a millennia in traditional Egyptian medicinal practices. With this in mind, they have long been suggested to improve cardiovascular and nervous system health, reduce infection and disease, and even treat gastrointestinal issues.

While hibiscus flowers do come in a multitude of different colours, those that are red in colour are the most commonly used for medical purposes, as they are suggested to be the most potent.

In modern day these amazing flowers are regularly brewed into tea, in which they are thought to reduce blood pressure, promote weight loss, and even help fight against the onset and development of both depression and diabetes.

But do they really work – or are they nothing more than another health fad?

The Health Benefits of Hibiscus Flower?

There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that hibiscus flowers may actually meet some of the lofty health claims made about them. With this in mind, we wanted to take an objective look at the research to determine where they truly offer us the most benefit.

Do Hibiscus Flowers Lower Blood Pressure?

Hibiscus flowers are full to the brim with potent antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols. When ingested into the body, these polyphenols interact with the cells that make up our veins and arteries, increasing their ability to function effectively.

With this in mind, the daily consumption of hibiscus flower tea has been shown to cause significant reductions in blood pressure in both hypertensive and pre-hypertensive adults ^[1].

Do Hibiscus Flowers Lower Blood Cholesterol?

In conjunction with its impressive effects on blood pressure, hibiscus flower has also been shown to improve the body’s ability to metabolise cholesterol. As a result, the regular consumption of hibiscus flower has been shown to cause significant reduction in levels of total blood cholesterol, LDL blood cholesterol (or ‘bad’ blood cholesterol), and blood triglycerides ^[2].

This actually makes it one of the most potent natural means of lowering blood cholesterol on the planet.

And as an added bonus, as both high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol are considered key risk factors for heart disease, hibiscus flower may also offer an excellent way to reduce the risk of its onset and development.

Can Hibiscus Flowers Help Treat Diabetes?

Incredibly, through the actions of its potent polyphenols, hibiscus flower has also been suggested to offer an excellent natural addition to more traditional diabetes medications. With this in mind, the supplementation of hibiscus flower has been shown to lower resting blood sugar levels, while also increasing the body’s sensitivity to the hormone insulin ^[3].

This ultimately improves the body’s ability to manage its own blood sugar levels, causing subsequent improvement in type II diabetes.

Can Hibiscus Flowers Help Treat Depression?

Amazingly, some of the key polyphenols found within the hibiscus plant have been shown to exhibit a protective effect on the brain, while also enhancing blood flow. As a result its supplementation has been shown to improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms ^[4].

While this research is still in its early stages, it does suggest that hibiscus flower may offer a natural additional to some of our more traditional depression treatments, while also acting as a potent mood enhancer.

Do Hibiscus Flowers Promote Weight Loss?

And finally, while this research is very much in its early stages, there is also some evidence to suggest that hibiscus flower can enhance weight loss. You see, certain compounds found within the flower can help regulate metabolism, thus increasing energy expenditure.

Considering this, the daily supplementation of hibiscus flower over a total duration of 12 weeks has been shown to enhance weight loss and promote reductions in body mass index (BMI) – irrespective of exercise levels ^[5]. This suggest that it may offer a potent natural supplement to assist in weight loss and aid in the treatment of obesity.

Best Hibiscus Flower Products

Given the research supporting the use of hibiscus flowers in a variety of settings, we wanted to give you some great options that you can use immediately.

Feel Good Organic Hibiscus Flower

These organic Hibiscus flowers by Feel Good are without a doubt the most popular on the market, in which they offer an excellent option that can be brewed into a simple tea easily and effectively.

You really can’t go wrong here.

Dual Spices Organic Hibiscus Flower Tea

This hibiscus flower supplement by Dual spices has been certified as organic by USDA, so you can be assured of its quality.

With this, it has also been applauded for both its effectiveness and taste, making it one of the best options available at the moment.

BulkSupplements Flower Extract Powder

Our final option by BulkSupplements is perfect for those who don’t like drinking tea, but still want to get all the health benefits associated with hibiscus flower – in which it comes in an easy to take powder form.

As an added bonus, this high-quality option is also extremely affordable, making it ideal for those on a bit of a budget.

Conclusions

Hibiscus flowers have been used by ancient Egyptians to boost health for centuries – and amazingly, it appears they were onto something.

With recent research demonstrating that hibiscus flowers can reduce blood pressure, lower blood cholesterol, help treat diabetes, enhance mood, and even promote weight loss, they truly are on the most potent health boosters on the planet.

If you have had any experience using hibiscus flowers for yourself then we would love to hear about it, so drop us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP.