"Whenever a choice needs to be made in any area of life, your body provides a message of either comfort or discomfort, and for most of us the message is felt in the head . " David Simon
For me th emessage is always felt in my heart and my head. The choices we make is something we each must live with. No choice is a wrong choice at the time it is made. It is made for a reason at that time in our lives. Possibly in retrospect some of the choices I have made were the wrong choice. I do not look at the past choices with any regret, but only a learning experience.
The hibiscus is a beautiful flower. Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. For the last 5 years the flower has been studied for its beneficial effects for the cardiovascular system, especially blood pressure. Recently there has been a small study on the hibiscus flower and its anti oxidant potential. The study is very promising although a small patient population. There needs to be more studies, and I feel the National Institute of Health ( NIH) should conduct such a study. The NIH is currently studying many other herbs, as Curcurmin ( Curcuma longa)
We do know that the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables and teas are rich in natural antioxidants and linked to prevention of many diseases, especially cancer and cardiovascular disease. These antioxidants could lower the mortality and morbidity. Hibiscus is no exception. We know about all the rich anti oxidants in 'purple berries', and the flavinoids and polyphenols in dark chocolate. Of all herbs, Green tea ( Camiella sinensis) has been the most widely studied herb and I believe this herb has more studies on its beneficial effects than any other herb.
As I stated Hibiscus ( Hibiscus sabdariffa) is rich in these polyphenols as well anthocyanins ( also found in blueberries, and blackberries ) These substances increase the systemic anti oxidant potential.
Recently I have used hibiscusus with 3 other ccardiovascular herbs in an organic tea composition to lower blood pressure. You must remember that herbs are drugs. I would consult your health care professional before using any herbs with conventional cardiovascular medications.
The small hibiscus study to be published in Journal Sci Food Agric August 2012 was reviewed by the American Botanical Council ( www.herbalgram.org) I found it interesting and agree with the ABC review. I was delighted to start to read more about hibiscus and cardiovascular health.
The Hibiscus plant and flower reminds me of my time spent in the Grenadines, including Grenada, St Vincent, Mustique , Petit St. Vincents and the memorable Young Island.
Until tomorrow...
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