Benefits of Egyptian Red

Egyptian Red is the infusion made from calyces of the Hibiscus Sabdariffa flowers. A drink that can be consumed either hot or cold and is valued as a native medicine in many countries. The infusion of the leaves are regarded as a diuretic, choleretic, febrifugal and aids with hypertension. It is also regarded as an antispasmodic, anthelmintic and antibacterial.

Egyptian Red is caffeine free, rich in vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, beta carotene, omega 3 and essential acids.

Egyptian Red contains 15-30% organic acids including citric acid, melneic acid and tartaric acid. It also contains acidic polysaccharides and flavonoid Glucoside, such as cyanidin and delphinidin that give it, that characteristic deep red colour.

What Is Egyptian Red

Egyptian Red is a premium grade Hibiscus Sabdariffa, grown in the perfect climate, receiving 13 hours of direct sunlight each day, in the rich silt soil for centuries. Grown in the oldest known agricultural land in the world, in upper Egypt and is reputed to be the preffered drink of the pharaohs, who believed in the great health benefits of the flower.

There are over 200 species of hibiscus plants throughout the world, the Malvaceae family, but it is the Hibiscus Sabdariffa that is the best studied from a medical standpoint.

Research

New research released by the American Heart Association reveals that Hibiscus Sabdariffa has a beneficial effect on reducing high blood pressure. A clinical trial was conducted amongst men and women aged between thirty and seventy with high blood pressure. Blood pressure was measured at weekly intervals for six weeks and results showed that Systolic blood pressure and Diastolic blood pressure were both lower in those people taking Hibiscus Sabdariffa treatment. The greatest reduction in Systolic blood pressure sufferers registered a drop of 13.2%. Age, gender or use of dietary supplements made no difference to the results.

Commenting on the findings, Diane L McKay, PhD FACN, from the Antioxidants Research Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre, that drinking three cups of Hibiscus Sabdariffa lowers blood pressure in pre and mildly hypertensive adults. This is great news because statistics show that high blood pressure increases the risk of heart disease by three-fold and caused sixty percent of strokes.

Recently scientists from the Chuan Shan Medical University in Taiwan, revealed the Hibiscus Sabdariffa is active against the bad form of cholesterol (L.D.L). The research revealed that the plant is able to lower high levels of L.D.L cholesterol in the blood and also protect various tissues in the body against L.D.L related damage.

The scientist who led the study, Dr Chau-Jong Wang, comments that compound extracts in the tea reduces cholesterol build up in the arteries. The data strongly suggests that Hibiscus extracts could be useful in prevention and even treatment of a number of cardiovascular diseases, in which cholesterol plays a major role.

Research Continued

Another team of scientsts from the Institute for Forensic Medicine, Veracruz University in Mexico have also confirmed that Hibiscus Sabdariffa is able to lower harmful L.D.L cholesterol. A stimulus study carried out by the Department of Pharmacology in Bangkok not only came to the same conclusion but better still, they found that extracts do not effect the good form of cholesterol (H.D.L). H.D.L cholesterol. level combined with a low L.D.L level has been found to offer the greatest protection against heart disease.

Several other scientific studies have also confirmed that Hibiscus extracts have anti-cancer benefits. Chinese and Japanese studies show that Hibiscus Sabdariffa is uniquely rich in Phonetic compounds, which is very powerful antioxidants. It is thought that the plant protects against cancer as a result of its ability to inactivate free radical toxins which are by-products of your bodies metabolism. Free radicals are widely accepted as the main cooperate for causing cancer and premature ageing.

Scientists also believe that acids in the plant are activated by bacteria in the gut to promote weight loss. Also the tea contains an enzyme inhibitor which blocks the production of amylase. Amylase is an enzyme which breaks down complex sugars and starches. Drinking a cup of Hibiscus Sabdariffa between meals will reduce the absorption of dietary carbohydrates and will assist in weight loss.

Researches have also discovered that Egyptian Red contains Quercetin. Quercetin anti-histamine action may help to relieve allergic symptoms and asthma symptoms. The anti inflammatory properties may help to reduce ain from disorders such as arthritis. Men who are concerned about prostate problems will also benefit from Quercetin. Quercitin may also help reduce symptoms like fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Very recently a team of researcher from the Indian Malaria Research Centre has found a known property from the plants root extract. This unknown property is effective at killing the mosquitoes that carry malaria parasites.

The plant also has a long history of use for improving liver disease such as hepatitis, alleviating constipation, bladder infections and water retention.

In conclusion, with Australia now being classed as the most obese nation and heart disease being the number one killer in Australia the time has come to look for ways to combat "westerner disease". Harvard University has stated that tea drinkers have a forty four percent lower risk of heart disease. It also appears that the plant is the most highly researched plant in the world with ongoing research dating back to 1962. Could it be that the felnic compounds in Egyptian Red that prevents premature aging actually be the fountain of youth. How did the pharaohs become aware of its amazing health benefits so many years ago.