Page 120 - Pharmacognosy-I (02-06-06-102)

Hibiscus
)Roselle, Karkade)

Hibiscus is the dried calyx and epicalyx of Hibiscus sabdarifa,
family Malvaceae.
It is indigenous to Egypt.
Constituents:
1- Two anthocyanins: gossipetin and hibiscin
2- 13% of a mixture of citric, malic, tartaric and hibiscic acids
3- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
4- Mucilage
Uses:
1- It has antihypertensive action and decreases viscosity of
blood.
2- As a natural colouring matter. It is used to adjust the color
and flavour of different phytotherapeutic preparations
3- It has diuretic and weak laxative action. Hibiscus flowers are
currently included in different laxative infusion mixtures
because of the osmotic effects of their organic acid contents,
which make them hardly absorbable.
4- Antiscorbutic
5- As pleasant tea (caffeine - free beverage)

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