History/Traditional Use

Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as roselle, has long been used for the treatment of hypertension by practitioners of traditional medicine around the world (Ajay et al., 2007; Mozaffari-Khosravi et al., 2009; Ojeda et al., 2010). Roselle, which belongs to the family Malvaceae, is used to treat a variety of health problems by people in Africa, South East Asia, and Central America (Ojeda et al., 2010). The plant, which is thought to be native to West Africa, was present in the West Indies by the early 16^th century and in Asia by the 17^th century (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010). For the purposes of lowering blood pressure, it has usually been administered in the form of a tea made from the edible external portion of its flower (the calyx) (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2010). However, various traditional medicine remedies around the world call for the leaves, seeds, and root of the plant, in addition to the calyces (Morton, 1987, p.281-286).

Hibiscus sabdariffa. Source: http://ahmadalikarim.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/roselle-mama.jpg

In Mexico, where roselle is known as “jamaica” or “flor de jamaica”, it has been used as a diuretic, and for the treatment of fever, liver diseases, hypercholesterolemia, gastrointestinal disorders, and hypertension in the indigenous system of medicine (Ojeda et al., 2010). In East Africa, Hibiscus tea, which is known as “Sudan tea” in that region, is also taken to relieve coughs (Morton, 1987, p.281-286). Interestingly, roselle has even been used to reduce the after-effects of drunkenness in Guatemala (Morton, 1987, p.281-286).