List All Products |
|
|
Advanced Search |
|
| Lost Password? | |
| Forgot your username? | |
| No account yet? Register | |
|
|
| Hibiscus |
 |
 |
 |
| GrovesSite - Herbs |
|
Hibiscus Botanical classification of hibiscus Family Malvaceae Genus and specie Hibiscus sabdariffa as well as H. rosa-sinensis It is alsknown as hibiscus, sorrel, red-sorrel and Jamaica sorrel. Description of hibiscus It is an erect annual with lobed leaves and brightly colored flowers and woody stems. Rosa-sinensis has red flowers, while sabdariffa has pale yellow flowers with a purple center, followed by capsules, surrounded by an enlarged, fleshy and brightly red calyx. Parts used The fresh and dried epicalyces and calyces are used for herbal remedies. Properties of hibiscus It is an aromatic, astringent and cooling herb that has diuretic properties and helps tlower fever as well as providing vitamin C. It contains mucilage polysaccharides and pectins, organic acids (hibiscus, ascorbic (vitamin C), citric, malic and tartaric acids). Therapeutic use Internal use This sweet-sour herb is often used in herbal teas, and is traditionally used ttreat loss of appetite, colds, catarrh of the respiratory tract, as an expectorant, mild laxative and diuretic. External use It is used for various allergic eczemas and other skin conditions. It has possibilities due tthe I-hydroxy-acids, anthocyanocides and mucilages contained, as the I-hydroxy-acids act on the horny layer of the skin, treduce the cohesion between the corneocytes, which affects the thickness of the layer and increases skin moisture. This improves skin flexibility and elasticity, as well as creates higher moisture levels in the skin. The anthocyanocides again have astringent, anti-inflammatory, and free radical scavenging, as well as enzyme inhibition properties – and is especially useful tinhibit elastase and hyaluronidase. Finally, the high mucilage content enhances the retention of the skin’s hydric content. This makes the herb useful against the effects of aging, due tthe power of the I-hydroxy-acids, together with the moisturizing ability of the mucilages in combination with the astringent, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenger properties of the anthocyanocides. In hair treatments, shampoos with hibiscus restore the hair's natural barrier, rehydrate the keratin fibers and regenerate its structure. The active ingredients, I-hydroxy-acids, mucilages and anthocyanocides intervene in this action. In this case in particular, the anti-inflammatory, astringent and anti free radical properties of the anthocyanocides are of special interest. Hibiscus can alsbe incorporated intdandruff products as it contains a high degree of a-hydroxy-acids. These substances collaborate in restoring the balance of the cellular division in the germinative layer and in loosening the outer cells of the corneous layer. They alsenable the scale produced in washing tbe eliminated. In treatments for dry hair, the components of Hibiscus increase the moisture in the horny layer and generate the hydro- lipid film, which gives hair its silky, shiny look. Jonadet et al. 1990 studied the in vitrinhibitory activity on the enzymes ACE, elastase, trypsin and chymotrypsin, and the in vivblood vessel-protective activity of twenriched fractions of Hibiscus extract (anthocyans enriched fraction and flavones enriched fraction). The flavones fraction was found tinhibit ACE. Both fractions inhibited elastase, as well as trypsin and chymotrypsin, ta lesser degree. It was already known that the aqueous-extract of Hibiscus had a relaxing effect on the smooth muscle fibers and consequently exerted anti-hypertensive actions. However the underlying action mechanism had not been completely characterized. Owolabi et al. 1995, demonstrated that these relaxing effects resulted from the inhibition of the calcium influx through adrenergic receptors by specific blockade of the agonist receptors. Additionally, a simultaneous inhibition of calcium mobilization in the intracellular deposits occurred. Duhn et al. 1997 evaluated the antioxidant activity of Hibiscus and evaluated the extract lipid per oxidation inhibitory activity on linoleic acid, as well as on a liposome model, by following the thiobarbituric acid method. The results showed that it had strong antioxidant activity and that such an activity was closely related tthe polyphenolic substances contents in the extract. Finally, Tee et al. 2002 assessed the antioxidant properties of Hibiscus by comparing its activity with those of BHA and b-carotene. The results showed that the Hibiscus extract had stronger antioxidant activity than BHA and b-carotene. In that study, the generation of conjugated diene compounds and of malonic dialdehyde were evaluated by using the thiobarbituric acid method. Use of essential oil None noted. Safety precautions and warnings None noted. Used in the following products After Shave Balm Herbal Face Wash Day Cream Herbal Stretch Mark Gel |
