Description
Dried and ground hibiscus flowers can be used in a wide variety of applications both in the food/drinks industry & as a standalone health supplement. It is the flowers that are used to make medicine & they have been found to contain higher levels of antioxidants than green tea for example.
In foods and beverages, hibiscus is used as a natural flavoring/coloring agent & is often used to improve the fragrance, flavor and/or appearance of tea mixtures. The acids present in hibiscus are what contribute to its overall gentle, but prominent laxative effect & some studies have also shown the potential of hibiscus in lowering blood pressure, as well as decrease spasms in the stomach, intestines & uterus. It has also been shown to have a fairly potent antibiotic action.
Approximately 15-30 percent of the hibiscus plant is made up of plant acids, including citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and allo-hydroxycitric acid lactone i.e. hibiscus acid, which is unique to hibiscus. Other chemical constituents are many; however, some of the most important include alkaloids, anthocyanins, and quercetin.
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