ROSELLE

     


Scientific name: Hibiscus sabdariffa

Facts: 

• Belongs to the family of Malvaceae which is originated from West Africa

• Widely cultivated in Tropical Africa, Sudan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Chad, India, Indonesia, Phillippines, Malaysia, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Hawai and Florida USA. 

• Habitat of the herb is disturbed ground.

DOMESTIC APPLICATIONS:

a) The root is edible but very fibrous

b) Roselle seeds can be roasted and ground into a powder then used in oily soups and sauces and have been used as a coffee substitute that is said to have aphrodisiac properties.

c) The young leaves and tender stems are consumed raw as a green vegetable or cooked. Used in salads, as a potherb and as a seasoning in curries, they have an acid, rhubarb-like flavour.

d) Fleshy red calyxes of Roselle are commonly used for the production of soft drinks and tonic without alcohol like wine, juice, jam, jelly, syrup and also dried and brewed into tea and spice. 

HERBAL MEDICINE APPLICATIONS

1. The leaves 
- Antiscorbutic and very mucilaginous and are used as an emollient and a soothing cough remedy. 

2. The flowers 
- Used internally as a tonic tea for digestive and kidney functions.  These may have diuretic and choleretic effects, decreasing the viscosity of the blood, reducing blood pressure and stimulating intestinal peristalsis. 

3. The ripe calyces 
-It is diuretic and antiscorbutic. The succulent calyx, boiled in water, is used as a drink in the treatment of bilious attacks. 

4. The seeds 
- It is diuretic, laxative and tonic. They are used in the treatment of debility. 

5. The root
- Bitterroot is aperitif and tonic.

6. The plant 
- Reported to be antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative and resolvent. 
- Used as a folk remedy in the treatment of abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, hangover, heart ailments, hypertension, neurosis, scurvy, and strangury. 
- Has been shown to be of value in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and as an intestinal antiseptic.
- Simulated ingestion of the plant extract decreased the rate of absorption of alcohol, lessening the intensity of alcohol effects in chickens.

7. The fruit
- The fruit has tart fruity flavour just like cranberry, rhubarb and red currant. It is very popular with its edible leaves and fleshy red fruit calyces which used for making fresh salads, tea, juices, jellies, jams, ice cream and spices for cooking. It is also famous for its high nutritional and medicinal values such as a source of antioxidants.  

HEALTH BENEFITS OF ROSELLE 

Roselle is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. In 57gram of roselle contains 123mg of calcium, 0.84mg of iron, 6.8mg of carbohydrate, 21mg of phosphorus, 119mg of potassium, 0.016mg of vitamin B2 and 0.008mg of vitamin A. 

1. Maintains healthy teeth and gums.
2. Healthy pregnancy.
3. Treatment of the common cold.
4. Prevents constipation by helping the intestinal muscles to relax. 
5. Remove minor health problems like muscle weakness, numbness, fatigue and other similar ailments. 


for futher infomations , visit http://www.globinmed.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=106084:hibiscus-sabdariffa-l-106084&catid=286&Itemid=357  .