Hibiscus or Okra (Hibiscus Esculentus) belongs to the Malvaceae family and it is an evergreen plant which is used as a hedge or as a single plant both outdoors in full soil, and indoors in pots.

Hibiscus is a great source of vitamins C and K, folate, and magnesium. It also contains antioxidants that help protect the body against free radicals.

The high dietary fiber content in hibiscus aids in digestion and maintains a healthy gut. These fibers can also help regulate blood sugar levels.

Hibiscus is low in calories and rich in fiber, which is beneficial for heart health. The fibers help reduce cholesterol levels, and the plant contains potassium, important for maintaining healthy blood pressure.

Concerns Associated with Hibiscus

Oxalates. Hibiscus is high in oxalates, which can be a concern for people prone to kidney stones. Consuming hibiscus can contribute to the formation of these stones in susceptible individuals.

FODMAPs. Hibiscus contains fructans, a type of FODMAP, which can cause digestive discomfort in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Vitamin K Content. Rich in vitamin K, hibiscus may interact with blood-thinning medications like warfarin. Patients taking such medications should monitor their hibiscus intake to prevent potential effects.

Studies

From the species Hibiscus syriacus have been isolated some interesting components for human health, including: vitexin, isovitexin, quercetin, kaempferol and rutin (1) and also molecules such as phytosterols, phenolic compounds and flavonoids all with antioxidant properties and with the ability to improve the glycemic profile (2). Another interesting application concerns the ability of Hibiscus extract to treat anal fissure (3)

The preventive action of Hibiscus okra ethanolic extract against liver damage was evaluated in rodents in this complex study, which found significant dose-dependent hepatoprotection. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the extract were comparable to standard silymarin. These findings were supported by histological evaluation of liver biopsy. The ability of okra extract to protect against chemically induced liver damage may be attributed to its potent antioxidant property (4).

Cultivation

When grown indoors, it should be placed in a very bright location. It withstands adverse climatic conditions well but needs to be fertilized often. It blooms between spring and summer.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Wei Q, Ji XY, Xu F, Li QR, Yin H. Chemical Constituents from Leaves of Hibiscus syriacus and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities. Zhong Yao Cai. 2015 May;38(5):975-9. 

Abstract. Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Hibiscus syriacus leaves and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities....Conclusion: All the compounds are isolated from the leaves of Hibiscus syriacus for the first time. Taking acarbose as positive control, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of 15 compounds were evaluated. Compounds 7 and 9 have shown strong α-glucosidase inhibitory activities with IC50 of 39.03 ± 0.38 and 32.12 ± 0.62 mg/L, inhibition ratio of 94.95% and 97.15%, respectively.

 (2) Akbari F, Shahinfard N, Mirhoseini M, Shirzad H, Heidarian E, Hajian S, Rafieian-Kopaei M. Impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats. J Nephropharmacol. 2015 May 19;5(2):80-85.

Abstract. Introduction:Hibiscus esculentus is capable to produce various molecules including phenolic and flavonoid compounds, phytosteroids with antioxidant property. Therefore, it has the potential to show antidiabetic activities. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats. The flavonoid, flavonol and phenolic components, as well as antioxidant activity of Hibiscus esculentus was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: In a preclinical study, 40 male Wistar rats were designated into four 10-member groups, i.e., control, diabetic control, diabetic Hibiscus esculentus, and diabetic glibenclamide. The Alloxan-induced diabetic rats received extracts orally for four weeks. Then, the serum biochemical factors were measured and compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased in diabetic Hibiscus esculentus rats compared to diabetic control ones (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Improving the blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats indicates that Hibiscus esculentus extract might be beneficial in diabetic patients.

(3) Martellucci J, Rossi G, Corsale I, Carrieri P, D'Elia M, Giani I. Myoxinol ointment for the treatment of acute fissure. Updates Surg. 2017 Dec;69(4):499-503. doi: 10.1007/s13304-017-0450-z. 

Abstract. Myoxinol is a complex of oligopeptides obtained from the seeds of Hibiscus esculentus used in cosmetic as natural alternative to botulin toxin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of local myoxinol for the treatment of acute anal fissure. All the consecutive patients with acute fissure treated from January to June 2014 underwent 30 days of topical treatment (twice/day) with a mioxinol based ointment. Pain, symptomatic relief, fissure healing and re-epithelization, 1-year recurrence rate, subjective satisfaction and need for further treatments were evaluated. During the study period 157 patients were eligible for data analysis (91 males: 58%; mean age 38 years: range 17-83). Median anal pain score was 7.1 pre-treatment and 1.7 and 0.9 after 30 days and 12 months from treatment, respectively (p: 0.0001). After the treatment period complete healing was achieved in 103 patients (65.5%), relevant improvement in 31 (20%) and no improvement in 21 patients (13.5%). Overall efficacy rate was 85.5%. A significant difference was reported considering patients with pre-treatment VAS between 1-5 and 6-10 (p: 0.004). Twenty-nine patients (18.5%) required further treatments. Hydrolyzed Hibiscus esculentus extract was proven to be an effective and well-tolerated topical treatment for acute fissure, with a high healing rate, a significant reduction of pain and a low 1-year recurrence rate.

(4) Alqasoumi SI. 'Okra' Hibiscus esculentus L.: A study of its hepatoprotective activity. Saudi Pharm J. 2012 Apr;20(2):135-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2011.10.002.

Abstract. In the present study, an attempt has been made to validate the claimed uses of 'Okra' Hibiscus esculentus in liver diseases. The preventive action of ethanolic extract of okra (EEO) against liver injury was evaluated in rodents using carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity model. EEO, at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, exerted significant dose-dependent hepatoprotection by decreasing the CCl4-induced elevation of serum SGOT, SGPT, ALP, GGT, cholesterol, triglycerides and malondialdehyde (MDA) non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH) and total protein (TP) levels in the liver tissue. A significant reduction was also observed in pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the extract are being comparable to standard silymarin. These findings were supported by histological assessment of the liver biopsy. The ability of okra extract to protect chemically induced liver damage may be attributed to its potent antioxidant property.