Hibiscus Cure for Hepatitis

Tropical Hibiscus Sabdariffa L (Roselle) in Red Tea, China Rose, Red Sorrell and Jamaica Tea has been used medicinally for centuries. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from blood borne pathogens or alcohol abuse. Hibiscus leaves and flowers exhibit great antioxidant activity and antibacterial properties that may lower hepatoxicity. Chemicals in hibiscus are thought to kill bacteria and worms, but the Food and Drug Administration has insufficient evidence to rate its effectiveness.

Active Ingredients

• Researchers in Canada, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Thailand and the United States have analyzed the Hibiscus plant and isolated several compounds with medicinal properties. Phenolic Acid or Protocatecuic acid within the Hibiscus flower shows antioxidant, anticancer and antihepatocyts ability in experiments on animals and humans. Anthocyanins in the pigments from the flower petals aid in protein purification. Flavonoids found in red, blue and purple flower pigment lack the ketone oxygen in one position. They react and decompose lipids. Hibiscus flowers contain a high concentration of ascorbic acid (Vitamin-C).

Hepatitis C

• Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by a blood borne pathogen, an RNA virus. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver from blood borne pathogens or alcohol abuse. Severity of liver dysfunction varies and the liver has the ability to regenerate itself. The major roles of the liver are metabolism, plasma protein synthesis, hormone production and detoxification.

  Anxiety, fatigue, depression, mental confusion and memory loss magnify the physiological symptoms. Pain, abdominal swelling, headaches, fever, arthritis, and vertigo and sleepless nights characterize advanced Hepatitis C.

Herbal Treatment

• Herbal extracts have always been used in treatment of liver disease. Herbal products contain chemically defined components that can protect the liver from oxidative injury, promote elimination of the hepatitis virus, block fibrogenesis (scar tissue formation) or inhibit tumor growth. The compounds that oxidize lipoproteins found in hibiscus flowers may assist the liver in protein synthesis. The active molecules must be isolated to enable rational clinical use of the agents. Flavonoids contain potent hepatotoxic alkaloids with proven antioxidative, antifibrotic, antiviral or anticarcinogenic properties, which can serve as suitable primary compounds for effective and targeted hepatotropic drugs, drugs that feed on the hepatitis virus.

Hibiscus

• Anthocyanins cyanidin and delphinidin, as isolated from the pigments in Hibiscus, are present in the flower as glucosides mixed with sugar. Synthesis of the anthocyanins occur in protein purification. Anthocyanin, gossypetin and glycoside hibiscin found in the hibiscus flower are diuretics and choleretics. Choleretics produce bile in the liver, affect blood viscosity, reduce blood pressure and enhance intestinal peristalsis.

  Flavoids act as enzymes or catalysts. Flavonoids contain potent hepatotoxic alkaloids with proven antioxidative, antifibrotic, antiviral or anticarcinogenic properties. Dried flowers contain ascorbic acid and have antiscorbutic effects, which means they prevent scurvy and dark purple spots on the skin. Anthocyanins, flavonoids and polyphenolics contribute to the oxidation of phospholipids and dilute lipoproteins that build up in arteries.

Dose

• Hibiscus flowers are used in yogurts, ice creams, hot and cold teas and syrups. As a dietary supplement the suggested dosage of hibiscus is two 600 mg capsules twice a day with meals. Hibiscus seems to be safe for most people, but should not be taken by pregnant women. The appropriate dose of hibiscus depends on the patient's age and health. Dose of natural products is important to determine effectiveness, and some are toxic if used in excess. Negative effects of hibiscus should be reported to the Food and Drug Administration.