The benefits of the Jamaica flower are to help control blood pressure, prevent the onset of heart diseases, regulate sugar, and promote weight loss.
Also known as hibiscus, this plant is characterized by being rich in anthocyanins, a compound that gives it its characteristic red color and which in turn provides it with great antioxidant power. In addition, it also has flavonoids, vitamin C, and organic acids, which are compounds that give it all its medicinal properties.
Its scientific name is Hibiscus Sabdariffa and it can be ingested in the form of tea, “water”, capsules and even in some countries it can be used to prepare some culinary dishes, and can be purchased in supermarkets, health food stores, and in some online stores. Likewise, it can be used as a source of pigments for cosmetic applications and in the food industry.
Table of Contents
What it is for and benefits
The health benefits of Jamaica flower are:
1. Lower blood pressure
Jamaica Flower could help prevent and control mild and moderate high blood pressure, as it promotes the relaxation of blood vessels. It is believed that this effect could be due to its anthocyanin content its antioxidant properties and its diuretic effect.
Some scientific studies seem to indicate that regular intake of hibiscus could exert an effect similar to that of some antihypertensive medications, such as captopril, for example. However, it should not replace the treatment indicated by the doctor, as more scientific evidence is needed to support it.
2. Take care of your heart health
In addition to helping to lower blood pressure, hibiscus flower could also help reduce “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, and even increase “good” cholesterol (HDL). This could be because a suppression occurs in the synthesis of fatty acids in the liver, which favors the burning of fats in the body and reduces the absorption of triglycerides at the intestinal level.
3. Regulate blood sugar
Jamaica flower could help regulate blood sugar, as it could inhibit the activity of some pancreatic and intestinal enzymes that are responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates in the small intestine, thus avoiding blood sugar spikes and excessive insulin excretion. , helping to prevent diabetes and improve glucose in the case of people who suffer from it.
4. Promote weight loss
Thanks to its content of polyphenols, mainly anthocyanins, flavonoids, and other phenolic compounds, such as galloyl, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and caffeic acid, regular consumption of Jamaica flower could promote weight loss and prevent obesity.
It is believed that this effect may be because it helps regulate blood sugar, reduces the absorption of carbohydrates at the intestinal level improves the metabolism of fats in the body, and could even control appetite, since some studies indicate that It could influence some hormones, such as ghrelin and leptin, which are responsible for regulating it. See in more detail how hibiscus water promotes weight loss.
5. Take care of liver health
Jamaica flower could inhibit the production of fatty acids in the liver, so it could improve and prevent fatty liver, improving its functioning. In addition, it could increase the enzymes that are responsible for detoxifying the body, thus reducing liver damage
6. It has antioxidant properties
Hibiscus has antioxidant properties thanks to the fact that it is rich in polyphenols, mainly anthocyanins, which inhibit oxidative stress and prevent the formation of free radicals, as well as the damage they can cause to cells, thus preventing premature aging, the appearance of chronic diseases and even cancer.
7. Help fight bacteria
Some studies indicate that the Jamaica flower has antimicrobial properties, helping to inhibit the activity of bacteria, such as Escherichia Coli, a bacteria that causes diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort; as well as other microorganisms, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for example.
8. Prevent urinary infections
As mentioned previously, the Jamaica flower has antimicrobial properties, and according to some scientific studies, it helps fight bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, which are the main microorganisms responsible for causing urinary infections.
Likewise, it also has diuretic properties that help increase the amount of urine produced, favoring the elimination of these bacteria and preventing the emergence of recurrent infections. It is believed that this may be because it is rich in some antioxidant compounds that help regulate aldosterone, a hormone that controls urine production.
Properties of the Jamaica flower
Jamaica flower has antihypertensive, antidiabetic, vasodilatory, nephroprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial, lipid-lowering, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties. All these properties are because this plant is rich in various phytochemical compounds such for example, anthocyanins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, organic acids, and when consumed as food, fibers.
Nutritional composition
The table below indicates the nutritional composition per 100 grams of Jamaica flower:
| Nutritional composition | 100 g Jamaican flower calyxes |
| Proteins | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 10.2g |
| Fats | 0.1g |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.07mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin C | 17mg |
| Calcium | 150 mg |
| Iron | 3mg |
To obtain the benefits of the Jamaica flower, mentioned above, it is important to include it in a balanced, variable, and healthy diet; as well as consume it regularly.
How to consume it
Jamaica flower can be consumed in the form of tea or “water”, capsules, and even in the preparation of some foods such as cakes, tacos, ice cream, and salads, among others. At present, it has not yet been determined in what exact dose it should be used by diabetic and hypertensive people, so the recommendations for use below are general:
1. Jamaican water or tea
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of dried Jamaica flowers;
- 400 ml of boiling water.
Preparation mode:
Add the flowers to the boiling water, and let sit for 5 minutes. Strain and drink warm or cold, 3 times a day. For weight loss, it is recommended to drink 1 cup of this tea after meals.
For blood pressure, a clinical study indicates that taking hibiscus flower water, prepared with 1 tablespoon (10 g) in 500 ml of boiling water, daily 2 hours after each meal and for at least 4 weeks, could improve the tension.
2. Capsules
Jamaica flower capsules should preferably be taken under the guidance of a phytotherapist or nutritionist. The dose that is usually indicated is 2 capsules of 450 mg, 3 times a day for 12 weeks, and should be consumed 20 to 30 minutes before main meals.
It is important to read the manufacturer’s label, since the doses may vary depending on the concentration of the product purchased.
Possible effects and contraindications
The consumption of Jamaica flower is apparently safe and so far no side effects have been reported.
This flower should not be taken together with the drug hydrochlorothiazide or any other diuretic without consulting your treating doctor, since Jamaica flower also has diuretic properties, which could cause drug interaction and unwanted effects.
It should also not be ingested without medical guidance in cases of pregnancy, breastfeeding, children under 12 years of age, or people with kidney or liver disease, as there are no scientific studies that indicate whether it is safe or not in this group of people.
In the case of hypertensive or diabetic people who are taking medication, the ideal is to consult their treating doctor before ingesting Jamaica flower, to avoid problems of hypoglycemia or hypotension.
Healthy recipes with Jamaica flower
Some healthy recipes with Jamaica flowers are:
1. Jamaican flower tacos
Jamaican flower tacos are an excellent option to obtain the benefits of this plant; In addition, this recipe is optimal for vegetarians.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of Jamaica flower;
- 1 clove garlic;
- 1/2 onion;
- 1 avocado;
- 1 splash of olive oil;
- Corn or wheat tortillas;
- Salt and black pepper to season.
Preparation mode:
Place enough water in a pot and bring to a boil, then add the hibiscus flower and cook for approximately 10 minutes. After a time, strain cut the flower into smaller pieces and set aside. Cut the onion into julienne strips and the garlic into small pieces, place a splash of olive oil in a frying pan, and fry the onion together with the garlic for approximately 5 minutes. Then, add the Jamaica flower and cook for about 5 more minutes. Add salt and black pepper to taste and mix well. Finally, place the filling in a tortilla, add a portion of avocado, and serve.
2. Jamaican flower salad with guava dressing
This hibiscus flower salad with guava dressing is a delicious recipe that, in addition to providing all the nutrients of the hibiscus flower, also provides the vitamins contained in guava, orange, and tangerine.
Ingredients:
- 1 piece of lettuce;
- 1 orange;
- 1 tangerine;
- 50 g goat cheese;
- 1/2 cup of Jamaica flower;
- 1/4 onion;
- 1 clove garlic;
- 4 guavas;
- 1 splash of olive oil;
- 1 handful of walnuts;
- 1/4 cup white vinegar;
- 1/2 teaspoon stevia.
Preparation mode:
To prepare the dressing, blend the seeded guavas, white vinegar, stevia, onion, and garlic until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. You can add water if the mixture is too thick.
To prepare the salad, place enough water in a pot and bring to a boil, then add the hibiscus flower and cook for approximately 10 minutes. After a time, strain cut the flower into smaller pieces and fry for 5 to 10 minutes in a pan with a splash of olive oil, set aside. Place the washed and chopped lettuce in a bowl and add the goat cheese. Add the orange and tangerine previously peeled and cut into pieces. Add the Jamaica flower and a handful of walnuts. Finally, add the dressing, mix well, and serve.
3. Ice pops with hibiscus
Each popsicle provides only 37 calories and can be eaten as a dessert with main meals or snacks, for example.
Ingredients:
- 2 large slices of watermelon with seeds;
- 1 cup of water or hibiscus tea with ginger;
- 1 tablespoon of mint leaves in small pieces.
Preparation mode:
Mix all the ingredients in the blender and fill the popsicle molds. As an option, you can also place pieces of fruit, such as kiwi or strawberry, inside the molds before filling them, as this will add more nutrients to the popsicle and give it a prettier appearance.
4. Jamaican flower soda
Each 240 ml glass of this soft drink only provides 14 calories and can accompany meals or be drunk during the day.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water or hibiscus tea;
- Soda water.
Preparation mode:
Prepare the tea using 2 tablespoons of dried Jamaica flowers in 500 ml of water. Let the water boil, remove from the heat, add the Jamaica flowers, and let it rest for 5 minutes. Once cool, add it to a jar and store it in the refrigerator.
When you want to prepare the soft drink, you must place 1/3 of the hibiscus water in a glass and complete it with the sparkling water.
5. Jamaican flower jelly
A cup with 100 ml of hibiscus gelatin provides about 32 calories and can be consumed as a snack or as a dessert at lunch or dinner, for example.
Ingredients:
- Jamaican water or tea;
- Unflavored gelatin;
- Stevia to taste.
Preparation mode:
Dissolve the gelatin according to label directions, using hibiscus tea instead of water. Sweeten with sweetener and put in the refrigerator until it has a gelatinous consistency.
6. Light summer juice
Each 300 ml glass of this juice provides about 105 calories and can be used in snacks along with some whole-grain cracker cookies, for example.
Ingredients:
- 500 ml of water or cold hibiscus tea;
- 500 ml of unsweetened red grape juice;
- 1 squeezed lemon;
- 1 lemon sliced;
- 3 sprigs of mint.
Preparation mode:
Prepare hibiscus water with 5 tablespoons of the plant in 500 ml of water. Once ready, place it in a jug and add the grape and lemon juice, the mint branches, and the lemon slices. Store in the refrigerator and serve fresh.