This plant primarily grows in tropical and warm regions, but it can also grow seasonally in other areas where the weather is warm for only part of the year.

In Rwanda, the hibiscus plant is mainly grown in parts of Ruhango and Rwamagana districts. However, nutritionists say most people aren’t aware of the plant, or its numerous benefits. Fresh and dried hibiscus leaves and flowers are edible, and are often used to make a tasty herbal tea, among other things.

Hibiscus plants are large, colourful flowers. In addition to the health benefits, nutritionists say the plant can make a decorative addition to a home or garden.

Rene Tabaro, a nutritionist at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, says the flowers and leaves of hibiscus can be made into teas and liquid extracts, like juice, that help treat a variety of conditions. He says one can make a herbal tea that involves soaking parts of the hibiscus plant in boiling water.

"It has a nice flavour, and can be taken hot or cold, and most importantly, used as an alternative to sugar because the hibiscus itself has a sweet taste,” Tabaro says.

Disease prevention

Tabaro says the plant is popular for its potential to reduce high blood pressure.

He explains that the hibiscus plant extract can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

So, because the plant is known for lowering blood pressure, it’s advisable for people with the condition to make it a regular part of their diet.

He further notes that high blood pressure can place extra strain on the heart and cause it to weaken—and that high blood pressure is also associated with an increased risk of heart diseases.

Tabaro says several studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

An example of systolic and diastolic blood pressure; 120/80 mm Hg: The top number refers to the amount of pressure in your arteries during the contraction of your heart muscle. This is called systolic pressure. The bottom number refers to your blood pressure when your heart muscle is between beats. This is called diastolic pressure.

In addition to this, he says, hibiscus tea also helps lower blood fat levels, which are another risk factor for heart diseases.

It may also promote liver health and help keep it operational powerfully.

The liver’s work, Tabaro says, includes producing proteins, secreting bile and breaking down fat, thus making it a vital organ in the body which should remain healthy at all times.

Additionally, he says, the plant also shows potential for cancer treatment and could work as a weight loss aid.

For cancer, he says, its anthocyanins hold the key to anticancer properties. Anthocyanins are various soluble glycoside pigments producing blue to red colouring in flowers and plants.

Meanwhile, nutritionist and dietician, Private Kamanzi, who works at Amazon Nutrition Cabinet Clinic, Kigali, says hibiscus extract might have an effect on metabolism, preventing obesity and fat build-up in the liver.

He says hibiscus is helpful to women and girls who normally experience pain during their menses. When used as tea or in form of a drink, which can be obtained by extracting juice from its leaves, Kamanzi says it helps control intensity of cramps during menstruation.

Kamanzi says that the plant is recommended for people with diabetes to use as tea.

Erick Musengimana, a nutritionist at Rwanda Diabetes Association, explains that diabetic people are not advised to use other tea leaves because of the caffeine in them.

"If one is diabetic, the impact of caffeine on insulin action may be associated with higher or lower blood sugar levels. Caffeine makes it hard for such people to control their blood sugar,” he explains.

Kamanzi says hibiscus is rich in vitamin C which is essential when it comes to preventing respiratory tract infections. He says vitamin C also helps in the absorption of iron in the body, and helps the kidney regulate water in the body.

"Because of its presence of vitamin C, hibiscus is very effective in reducing bad cholesterol in the body, and increases good cholesterol because of its fibre,” he says.

Hibiscus is also rich in potassium, thus capable of improving the condition of high blood pressure for those with the condition, according to Tabaro.

Hibiscus plant, in general, contains antioxidants that help fight compounds known as free radicals, which cause damage to one’s cells.

He says that hibiscus tea is rich in powerful antioxidants and may, therefore, help prevent damage and disease caused by the build-up of free radicals.