Roselle tea

Roselle tea acts as a mild laxative due to the poor absorption of the fruit acids. In African folk medicine, the drug is ascribed spasmolytic, antibacterial, cholagogue, diuretic and anthel- mintic properties, among others.

Roselle tea is also used to suppress high blood pressure. The leaves are a source of mucilage used in pharmacy and cosmetics.

The study by Mozafarri-Khosravi showed that those subject given roselle tea had significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and significant decrease in the mean of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and Apo-B100 at the end of the study (J. Altern Complement Med 15(8): 899-903).

The tea also is beneficial for kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Because of their sour taste and red color, roselle flowers are a popular component in fruit teas for drinking hot or cold, available in filter tea bags and also as instant tea, usually in combination with rose hips.

Additionally, roselle flowers are used in herbal tea combinations indicated for respiratory tract conditions and for stimulating appetite.
Roselle tea

Roselle medicinal uses

Roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa L. is a tropical plant which belongs to the family Malvaceae.  The nutritional composition of roselle leaves per 100 g edible portion is: water 85.6g, energy 180 kJ, protein 3.3 g, fat o.3 g, carbohydrate 9.2 g, dietary fiber 1.6 g, Ca 213 mg, Phosphorus 83 mg, Fe 4.8, beta-carotene equivalent 4135 ug, thiamin 0.2 mg and riboflavin 0.45 mg.

Roselle has many benefits. It can be used to make jelly, juice, fruit pies and tarts. Roselle juice which is conventionally made from water extraction or fresh or dried Roselle calyxes, has been reported as being a popular soft drink with daily consumption in many countries including Egypt, Sudan, Mexico, Nigeria and Thailand.

Roselle’s added benefits are its high vitamin C content (54mg/100g), numerous amino acids and high iron and potassium content.

The flower possessed properties that are useful for coughs, colds and sore throats, and the seeds can be roasted for coffee.

It is a good diuretic, it stimulates the digestive processes, it is antispasmodic and antibacterial and a good tonic, building blood and boosting the immune system.

The antihypertensive and cardioprotective effects of tea made from roselle calyces have been demonstrated in various animals.

The phenolic compound protocatechuic acid isolated from roselle flowers showed antioxidant, antitumor and hepatoprotective activities.
Roselle medicinal uses