Hibiscus sp.

Introduction:
Recorded Medicinal uses:

The Shangaan use the Hibiscus sp. leaves in the form of tea for the treatment of hypertension, profuse menstruation and PMS.

In Guinea the plant is regarded as mucilaginous and tonic to heart and stomach. The seed is aromatic and has a musk-like odour used in perfumery under the name "Ambretta".

In South America and West Indies, the seed is a snakebite remedy. The leaf gives a very fair zone of inhibition, when tested for its antibacterial effect.

The leaf of Hibiscus sp. is used by the Xhosa as a dressing for septic wounds and is said to contain Mucilagae.

In the East Indies and Senegal the seed has been used as a remedy for eye diseases and dysentery. The seed oil contains 55.9% of stearic acid, 9.1% of palmitic, 32.6% of oleic and 2.4% of linoleic. The flower yields a pigment canna hibiscetin.

The Swati use a decoction of the root and flower in pneumonia. A hydrochloric acid extract of the leaf and stem has given positive alkaloid tests.

A small piece of the root of Hibiscus malacospermus Harv. is chewed by the Europeans in Lydenburg (South Africa) to relieve heartburn. The Southern Sotho use the plant as a colic remedy. The Southern Sotho, also use the Hibiscus malacospermus E. Mey ex Harv. as a remedy for headaches and other ailments.

The root of Hibiscus pusillus Thumb. is used by the Zulu as an emetic in the treatment of "bad dreams" and by men as part of the preparation for courting.

The Zulu use a lotion of the leaf and stem of Hibiscus surattensis L. for the treatment of penile irritation of any sort, including venereal sores and urethritis. It is sometimes applied as an ointment for the same purposes. An infusion is also used as an injection into the urethra and vagina for gonorrhoea and other inflammations.

Study - extracts from:
Hibiscus 6-06-2000.txt
Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
Volume 65, Issue 3 Abstract
June 1999 Article
Pages 231-236
PII: S0378-8741(98)00157-3
Copyright (c) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland LTD. All rights reserved.
The effects of sour tea (hibiscus sabdariffa) on essential hypertension. M. Haji Farajia,* and A.H.Haji Tarkhanib
a, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Eveen - Tehran19395-4139, Iran.
b, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Faculty of Medicine, Eveen - Tehran19395-4139, Iran.

Considering the high prevalence of hypertension, its debilitating end organ damage, and the side effects of drugs used for its treatment, we conducted this experimental study to evaluate the effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on essential hypertension. For this purpose, 31 and 23 patients with moderate essential hypertension were randomly to an experimental and control group, respectively. Patients with secondary hypertension or those consuming more than two drugs were excluded from the study.

Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and 15 days after the intervention. In the experimental group, 45% of the patients were male and 55% were female, and the mean age of the patients was 51.5±10.1 years. Statistical findings showed an 11.2% lowering of the systolic blood pressure and a 10.7% decrease of diastolic pressure in the experimental group 12 days after beginning the treatment, as compared with the first day.

The difference between the systolic blood pressures of the two groups was significant, as was the difference of the diastolic pressures of the two groups. Three days after stopping the treatment, the systolic blood pressure was elevated by 7.9%, and the diastolic pressure was elevated by 5.5% in the experimental and control groups. This difference between the two groups was also significant. This study proves the public belief and the results of in vitro studies concerning the effects of sour tea on lowering high blood pressure. More extensive tests on this subject are needed.

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