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Hibiscus sabdariffa 
​(roselle, hibiscus)
​and related species,
Malvaceae

by Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG)
Last updated 6 June 2023
This monograph is protected by copyright and is intended only for use by health care professionals and students. You may link to this page if you are sharing it with others in health care, but may not otherwise copy, alter, or share this material in any way. By accessing this material you agree to hold the author harmless for any use of this information.Please donate to help support the extensive amount of time and energy it takes to create and maintain this site. Please donate to help support the extensive amount of time and energy it takes to create and maintain this site.
 

Table of Contents

Clinical Highlights
Clinical Fundamentals
Pharmacy Essentials
​Other Names
​​
Interchangeability of Species
​Advanced Clinical Information
Classic Formulas
Ethnobotanical Reports
Botanical Information
Harvest, Cultivation, and Ecology
 

Clinical Highlights

Roselle flowers are sour, delicious, nutritious food, as well as being astringent, hypotensive and nephroprotective.

Roselle flowers are extremely safe.
Picture
Hibiscus spp (photo copyright E. Yarnell)
Picture
Hibiscus sabdariffa flower (copyright Gabriel Maroney, photo used with permission)
 

Clinical Fundamentals

Part Used: the red fleshy sepals (calyces) are the main medicinal part.

Taste: for those who like like tart/sour things, this is extremely delicious. Adding even the smallest amount of sweetener brightens it up and makes it very appealing even for those who don't care so much for sour things.

Major Actions:
  • Hypotensive, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibiting
  • Nephroprotective
  • Astringent

Major Organ System Affinities
  • Circulatory Tract
  • Kidneys

Major Indications:
  • Hypertension
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Gastrointestinal infections

Major Constituents:
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Tannins

Adverse Effects: Generally there are none, but a very strong brew can sometimes cause an upset stomach unless it is taken with food.

Contraindications: None known

Drug Interactions: It should be taken with any drug that has to be taken away from food.
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Pharmacy Essentials

Tincture: 1:2–1:3 w:v ratio, 30% ethanol
     Dose:
Acute, adult: 
Chronic, adult: 
Child: as adult but adjusted for body size

Glycerite:

Decoction: 2–3 g (1 heaping tsp) of root simmered, covered, in 250 ml of water for 15–30 min, the result of which makes one cup (not 8 oz, but one dose). The amount of water used can be adjusted to patient taste in subsequent cups.
     Dose:
Acute adult: 

Chronic, adult: 1 cup tid
Child: as adult but adjusted for body size

Capsules: these are not widely available..
     Dose:

Acute, adult: 1–2 g per dose, otherwise dosed as with acute tincture
Chronic, adult: 1–2 g tid (not usually taken chronically)
Child: as adult but adjusted for body size

If you need help formulating with this herb, or any other, you can use the formulation tool. Remember that when using this herb in a formula, due to synergy, you can usually use less.
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Other Names

Latin synonyms:
     Current correct Latin binomial:
Amelanchier carrii Rydb


English Common Names: 

Native American Common Names (grouped linguistically and geographically):
     Nēhiyawēwin ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐍᐏᐣ (Cree, Algonquian): 
​
     Ndee biyáti' (Western Apache, Athabaskan): 

     Akimel O'odham (Mountain Piman, Uto-Aztecan):
     Hopilàvayi (Hopi, Uto-Aztecan): 
     Núu-'apaghapi (Ute, Uto-Aztecan): 
     Rarámuri ra'ícha (Tarahumara, Uto-Aztecan): 

     Shiwi'ma (Zuñi, isolate): 

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Interchangeability of Species

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Advanced Clinical Information

Additional Actions:


Additional Indications:
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Botanical Information

Botanical Description:


Native range:

Picture
Native range of Amelanchier alnifolia
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Harvest, Cultivation, and Ecology

Cultivation:

Wildcrafting:

Ecological Status:
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References

Hosseinian BT (2007) "Saskatoon and wild blueberries have higher anthocyanin contents than other Manitoba berries" J Agric Food Chem 55(26):10832–8.
​
Mazza G (2005) "Compositional and functional properties of saskatoon berry and blueberry" Int J Fruit Sci 5(3):101–20.
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