Roselle is a plant native to India and Vietnam for its red flowers. It’s also known as hibiscus or Jamaican sorrel and belongs to the Hibiscus genus. Roselle has been used as a health supplement for centuries. Still, it’s recently gained popularity as an ingredient in modern products like teas and smoothies.
1. Improves gut health
Here’s why: the roselle plant is a natural source of prebiotics, which are suitable for gut health. In addition to being a good source of fiber, roselle also contains phenolic acids that help with digestion and protect against colon cancer. Phenolic acids are antioxidants that can improve your body’s ability to fight disease and infection.
2. Lowers high blood pressure
- Roselle is a diuretic that increases urine production and promotes the excretion of excess water.
- It lowers blood pressure by relaxing smooth muscles in blood vessels’ walls, thereby reducing their resistance to blood flow.
- It also helps prevent dehydration by encouraging increased water intake.
3. Boosts immune function
Roselle contains a significant amount of vitamin C, which helps the body fight off infections and colds. It’s also a good source of vitamin A, an antioxidant that boosts immune function and helps maintain healthy skin.
4. Anticancer properties
Roses have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat cancer. They are rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, which can help prevent the growth of cancer cells. Rose oil has also been shown to inhibit tumor formation and metastasis or the spreading of cancerous cells.
Studies published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) show that rose petal extract may effectively treat leukemia. A study published by Cell Research found that roselle had anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically on mice. Another study showed that roselle slowed tumor growth in melanoma mice. Because they contain a high amount of triterpenoids—a chemical compound that helps fight inflammation—roses have long been known as an anti-inflammatory remedy for arthritic pain. Rose hip tea is often used to treat osteoarthritis because it contains vitamin C, calcium, iron, and tannins which all work together to reduce joint swelling.
Rose hips contain up to 15 times more vitamin C than oranges do! Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals; these are unstable particles produced during normal metabolism, leading to cell death if not appropriately controlled by antioxidants like vitamin C.
5. Helps fight inflammation
Roselle is an anti-inflammatory. It helps to reduce inflammation in the body, which can help reduce swelling and pain, and other symptoms of inflammation, such as redness and heat.
6. Helps manage diabetes
You may be surprised that roselle is a good source of magnesium, which has been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. Magnesium also helps regulate blood pressure.
7. Promotes heart health
Roselles are a rich source of antioxidants, which can help to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. Roselles also contain the alkaloid rosiglitazone, which is used in diabetes medication to promote insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.
These properties make roselles a great way to maintain heart health and reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
We hope you learned more about the benefits of roselle and the scientific studies that have been done on it. It’s a versatile plant that can be used in many ways and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Learn more about natural herbal products for health, check out SaintNoon! Let's enjoy the generosity of nature!