The rose that has it all

Flowers are not just something beautiful that can be given to friends and family on special occasions. If used properly, there are some flowers that can do wonders for one’s health and beauty.  One of the flowers in particular that has numerous advantages is China rose, also known as Hibiscus.

This flower has highly effective medicinal powers and also contains vitamin C, amino acids, and antioxidants. The medicinal team at Chung Shan Medical University in the Republic of China found that the antioxidant properties of flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds and anthocyanins contained in hibiscus can prevent the oxidation of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL), which is associated with heart disease. Read on to find out more about the health benefits of hibiscus flower...

A natural Botox:

Hibiscus has many benefits for the skin and is also known as a ‘Botox plant’ because of its powerful natural Botox effect. In China and ayuverdic medicines the hibiscus flowers are extensively used for skin revitalization. This is because this flower can firm and lift the skin naturally and contains the power to tone, firm, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin. The petals of hibiscus help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines and can turn your skin ten years younger than your actual age. It is also rich in anti-oxidants that help in reversing the damage caused by UV rays, dust, pollutants, and diseases etc on your skin.

For the skin:

This flower is also used for various allergic eczemas and skin conditions. You can use it for cleansing and shedding of dead skin cells as well.

 Wash and dry the red hibiscus flower petals, and grind them well. Store this powder and apply daily on face by mixing it with water or milk.

 To heal dry skin, heat coconut oil or sesame oil and the red hibiscus flower petals together. Allow the mixture to cool down at room temperature and then apply on dry skin.

 For a face mask, put dried flower powder in muslin cloth seal it tightly. Put this pouch in a bowl. Now boil half cup of water and pour over the pouch. Wait for a few minutes until extracts of the flower are properly mixed with the water. Remove it from the bowl and add clay mud or Multani mitti and few drops of Glycerine. Apply on face and neck using circular movements. Wait until the mask has dried. Wash with cold water.

Goodbye hair problems:

Dried hibiscus flowers can cure damaged, brittle, and weak hair as well. The flower acts as a natural dye for hair if used regularly. 

 For an effective hair tonic, crush a few dried flowers of hibiscus and mix with sesame oil or coconut oil to make a fine paste. Apply this to the scalp and hair, leave on for a few hours, and then rinse with cool water and a mild shampoo. The regular massage of this oil stimulates blood circulation of scalp, works deep to strengthen hair roots and controls hair falling.

 You can also add dried petals of hibiscus flowers in your shampoo for instant shiny hair. On the other hand, you can make an ideal conditioner at home. Take 2-3 cups boiled water, add 15-20 hibiscus flowers, and leave it for 20 minutes. When water turns red in colour, filter the extract. Use this extract as a conditioner after shampooing your hair. Apply it on scalp and hair; leave it for 30 minutes, then wash with cold water. You will get soft and shiny hair along with a cleansed scalp.

 Mix together dried red flower petals, henna powder, and water to make an ideal henna paste for rich nourishing hair colour. 

 Take dried flower petals and make a powder out of these petals and apply it on the eyebrows. This helps in the growth of the eyebrows.

Hibiscus herbal tea:

One of the most popular uses of the flower is as Hibiscus Tea. This tea contains anthocyanins, which are the pigments that are responsible for the hibiscus’ red colour and the production of antioxidants. It also contains fruit acids, amino acids, vitamins, and bioflavonoids, which are beneficial for health. The hibiscus herbal tea helps cure cold and cough and is useful for the treatment of headaches, boils, sores, and inflammations. The tea lowers the blood pressure, especially for people with mild to moderate hypertension.

 It also contains an enzyme inhibitor which blocks amylase production. Amylase is an enzyme, which breaks down starches into sugars. The amylase inhibitor found in hibiscus tea reduces the amount of sugars that are absorbed into the body, thus resulting in weight loss. The antioxidants found in hibiscus tea have been compared to red wine, which has positive effects on cardiac health.

How to make hibiscus tea:

Take 1 ounce of dried hibiscus flower and boil it in 4 cups of water for about 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten with sweetener. Drink warm or cold. It is very refreshing as a drink in hot weather.

Precautions:

If you are taking birth control pills, you should avoid drinking hibiscus tea. If you have low blood pressure, avoid the use of flower in any form. It can also affect your concentration, hence it should not be used while driving, and wherever alertness is needed. Hibiscus tea should be avoided while taking anti-cancer drugs, chemotherapy, and radiation.