Roselle Plant: Essential Health Insights

Roselle benefits: Hibiscus is a botanical genus comprising 200 species, many of which are used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks because of their beautiful flowers. From a medicinal point of view, the most used species of this genus are, apart from roselle (species sabdarifa), abelmosk (Hibiscus abelmoschus L.), rose of China (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.), and corkwood (Hibiscus tiliaceus L.).

Scientific Facts

1. Scientific Name –Hibiscus sabdariffa L.
2. Other Names – Jamaica sorrel, guinea sorrel.
3. French – Karkadé.
4. Spanish – Hibisco.
5. Environment – Native to Sudan, it is cultivated in Egypt, Sri Lanka, and tropical areas of Mexico.
6. Description—This shrub of the Malvaceae family grows up to two meters high. Its leaves have three to five lobules and yellow or reddish flowers.
7. Parts of the plant used medicinally – The flowers with their calyx.

Roselle Benefits

The sepals of roselle flowers contain hibiscus acid, a mixture of organic acids (malic, citric, and tartaric), and a red coloring substance with the following properties:

• Invigorating and digestive – Because of their content in organic acids, roselle infusion has a stimulant effect on the digestive function and a stimulating effect on the whole body.
• Mildly laxative—Roselle’s emollient (soothing) properties on the digestive mucous membrane ease intestinal evacuation.
• Diuretic—The roselle flowers have a mild, however practical, diuretic effect, so they are recommended for people suffering from obesity and heart disorders.
• Natural sedative – The mild acid flavor of roselle and the red coloring its flowers give to other substances are two reasons these flowers are used as a natural additive to enhance the appearance and taste of medicinal herbs or prepared meals.

Corkwood

Corkwood (Hibiscus tiliaceus L.) grows in tropical America, where many local names know it. The fibers of its bark are used for rope and sack making, and its leaves are used as fodder. Both the flowers and the bark of the corkwood root have emollient (alleviating the inflammation of the mucous membranes) and laxative properties for the digestive tract.

How to use Roselle

• Infuse a handful of flowers (with their calyx) per liter of water. Sweeten and drink it cold like any soft drink.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 363. Print. [roselle benefits]
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3253843/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6262192/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769317/