Hibiscus is commonly grown in gardens and houses for their attractive flowers. Let’s take a look at hibiscus benefits and Ayurvedic home remedies with japa pushpa.
They lack smell and the plant bears no fruit, but they possess great medicinal value and have been widely used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.
Chinese Hibiscus is otherwise known as shoe flower, it’s a common name, has a scientific name of “Hibiscus rosa sinensis”. In Ayurveda, it’s called “japa pushpa“. It belongs to the Malvaceae family.
It is an evergreen shrub with dark green leaves. You can find it growing extensively in the tropics and subtropics.
Red hibiscus flowers are very common and widely used for medicinal purposes. There are orange, pink, yellow and white varieties also. The bark, leaves, and flowers are known to possess medicinal properties.
Modern research demonstrates that hibiscus is enriched with antioxidants, vitamin C, linolenic acid, flavonoids, anthocyanins, malic acid, and pectin. 1
This proves their medicinal values as described in the ancient Ayurveda texts.
The taste of hibiscus flowers is madhura (sweet) and kashayam (astringent). It is cold in potency and has the ability to reduce aggravated Kapha and Pitta.
Hibiscus flowers are used in the treatment of heart diseases and to lower blood pressure. It is widely used in gynecological conditions like hemorrhage.
Due to its raksha stambaka (anti-hemorrhagic) property as well as its Pitta reducing qualities, it is effective in the treatment of leukorrhea.
It is also useful in the treatment of scanty and painful menstruation. Hemorrhoids, urinary disorders, insomnia, and skin disorders are other areas where it can be used.
Hibiscus acts as a contraceptive and so it is not advised for women who are anxious to conceive.
It is very widely used in hair oil preparations as it is a natural conditioner for hair problems including dandruff, itchy scalp, hair loss, premature greying of the hair and aloplecia aerta.
Add 5 hibiscus petals or 1/2 teaspoon to boiling water. After 2 minutes of boiling, remove from the heat. Strain and let cool to warm. Add organic sugar if desired.
Soak 10 hibiscus flower petals in 500ml (2 cups) of water overnight. The next morning squeeze the flowers with your hands and remove from the solution.
Apply the filtered tea to your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap. Rinse with warm water after 20 minutes.
Dry 20 to 30 hibiscus flower buds in the shade and grind into a fine powder. Store in an airtight container. Consume half a teaspoon with honey twice a day to increase the hemoglobin contents of your blood.
Grind hibiscus leaves and flowers to a paste and mix with virgin coconut oil. Simmer together on low heat until the water content disappears. Let sit and infuse for 48 hours. Filter and then store in a clean glass bottle.
Please consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner before using hibiscus.
References
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