Hibiscus promotes detoxification

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Hibiscus calyx, which is commonly known in Nigeria as Zobo, is a rich source of nutrients that activate detoxification.  It literally contains thousands of health-promoting substances.  Of particular interest is a class of compounds called anthocyanins.  These compounds give hibiscus tea its characteristic red hue. Anthocyanins not only activate detoxification enzymes, but signal to cells to assemble more such machines.

Yes, hibiscus speaks to the body.  Nutrients are much more than just calories.  They carry information and instructions.  They initiate and inhibit numerous processes in the body.  The nutrients in Zobo initiate cleansing and regenerative processes.  Whereas the anti-nutrients in say soft drinks, initiate chronic inflammation and oxidative damage.

Hibiscus tea helps resolve metabolic syndrome 

Not surprisingly, hibiscus tea has been found to improve markers of metabolic syndrome.  What is metabolic syndrome?  It is a physiological state marked by the break down of insulin signaling.  This results in abnormally high levels of insulin that create disorder in the body.  Blood sugar and cholesterol levels spike.  Blood vessels harden and stiffen.  Chronic infections run wild as the immune system is subdued.  The liver becomes clogged with fat and cholesterol.  The brain fills up with non-functional, junk protein fibers.  And so on.

Metabolic syndrome is also a cluster of interrelated diseases.  That is, it is the root cause of a family of chronic diseases.  Many chronic diseases appear as if they have little in common.  What does type 2 diabetes have to do with heart disease?  Or kidney stones with cataracts?  Well, they have everything in common.  They are merely manifestations of an underlying disease process.  For example, hypertension, liver disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, glaucoma, dementia, and kidney disease are all impacted by defective insulin signaling (metabolic syndrome).

One way in which hibiscus helps resolve metabolic syndrome is that it promotes the excretion of uric acid.  Metabolic syndrome is associated with excess uric acid in the body.  As the body gradually detoxifies this and other metabolic wastes, the defect in insulin signaling also resolves.  And by so doing, hibiscus calyx helps to resolve the biggest killer of the modern age.

How to prepare hibiscus tea

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 Next week: We get an in-depth look at detoxification.

References: 

1. C M Gurrola-Díaz, P M García-López, S Sánchez-Enríquez, R Troyo-Sanromán, I Andrade-González, J F Gómez-Leyva. “Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract powder and preventive treatment (diet) on the lipid profiles of patients with metabolic syndrome”. Phytomedicine. 2010. Web

2. H Mozaffari-Khosravi, B-A Jalali-Khanabadi, M Afkhami-Ardekani, F Fatehi, M Noori-Shadkam. “The effects of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on hypertension in patients with type II diabetes”. Journal of Human Hypertension. 2009. Web

Ezenwa Onwugbenu is a nutritional healer and public speaker on natural health matters. You can find out more about him and his passion for natural health and living on Creative Juices.

Four years ago, I moved job locations and into a new job role. My new position meant spending lots of time outdoors in the hot blazing sun. Not surprisingly, I have gotten progressively darker over time.

I did not realize how bad it was until I resumed wearing make-up this year (after a 5 year hiatus) and had to get powder/foundation that matched my skin color. In the past, I only wore a sheer pressed powder but this year I wanted to get creme foundation. I've done a comparison below.

I know, right? Unbelievable.

Evidence number 2 of how much my complexion has changed is my older sister.

When we were kids, I was much lighter-complexioned than she was. She caught up a little when we were growing older but right now is shades lighter than I am. And no, folks, she uses no "lightening aids" - creams or pills. She does have a sedentary job that keeps her indoors plus she is so introverted these days that she spends most of her time indoors even when she is on vacation. But c'mmon! Shades lighter? I can't even use her foundation because I am browner than she is.

Apart from being driven by vanity, I was also alarmed for my skin health. We all know that too much sun exposure is bad and may even lead to other complications, cancer included. Obviously I had had a lot of sun exposure.

So what's a girl to do?

Well, I have started taking my sun protection very seriously. Where possible, I wear a hat and sunglasses when I go out in the sun. My floppy hat is a bargain $8 number from Walmart which I can fold and carry wherever I go. I love that I can fold it as I typically do not enter buildings wearing my hat or sunglasses. It is nice to know that I can fold the hat away and not worry about it getting out of shape.

The sunglasses not only add to my sun protection for my skin, but for my eyes as well - they keep me from squinting under the intensely bright sunshine. Suffering from myopia since childhood, I have a fair bit of lines around my eyes - a testament to all the squinting I did when I would inevitably misplace my glasses.

See how well shaded the top of my face is? My head is turned up towards the light which is why the lower part of my face isn't shaded. Anyhoo, this gives a fair bit of insight into how a simple hat can provide protection.

It is surprising that we are not a hat wearing country - I cannot imagine why - given the amount of sunshine we get here - so I have gotten a lot of questions (and flack) about wearing a hat. Ranging from  "Are you on going to the Caribbean?" To plain ol' "Why are you wearing a hat?" I expected the questions and even the derisive comments I have been getting. I had Natural hair in this country before it was cool. I know that I can manage wearing a hat even though it is not popular. Another picture of me wearing my hat and shades here.

Concerned with the state of my skin, I decide that I had to up my topical aids. So, two weeks ago I also made myself a super moisturizing facial cream that is suitable for mature skin (meadaowfoam seed oil, rose hydrosol, rose essential oil e.t.c) and added Alpha Hydroxy Acids (lactic Acid, Citric Acid e.t.c) to a batch. I use the batch with A.H.A only at night.

Although I use it at night, the AHAs increase sun sensitivity which may lead to a sun burn so it is a happy coincidence that I am using it my hat and glasses. Naturally, I also use a full spectrum UVA and UVB protection Sunscreen.

I am not expecting any miracles nor am I going to lighten my skin...naturally or otherwise. This took years to happen so I know that I am going to have to give at least twice that time for full recovery, The important thing is that I have started today.

“The time, no doubt, has come for food, seeds, herbs, plants, sunlight, air, clean water, and yes, love, to assume once again their central place in medicine, which is to say, the art and science of facilitating self-healing within the human body.”

Sayer Ji

I believe we are in the beginnings of a paradigm shift.  For far too long, natural healing has been looked at with suspicion.  It has been perceived as lacking a scientific basis and being merely the province of hippies and witch doctors. However, there is a growing body of evidence that speaks of the remarkable healing properties of certain foods.

Ginger is nothing short of a nutritive powerhouse.  And thankfully, its medicinal properties have been extensively researched.  There are literally hundreds of scholarly articles that detail its usefulness in treating conditions as varied as viral respiratory infections, colon cancer, and arthritis.  So, let us examine just two of its applications in more detail.

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A simple cure for fibroids 

Fibroids are solid growths that occur on the outside, inside, or within the wall of the womb.  These growths often appear in groups and are composed of a mix of muscle and a cartilage-like substance. They are also very common.  About 30 percent of all women get fibroids by age thirty-five and almost 80 percent of women will have fibroids by age fifty.

In most cases, they do not cause any problems at all.  However, some fibroids, depending on size and location, can cause heavy vaginal bleeding, abdominal or back pain, urinary problems, and constipation.  Also, fibroids that bulge into the womb may make it difficult to conceive or to sustain a full-term pregnancy.

The root cause of fibroids is a physiological state known as estrogen dominance.  Simply put, there is too much estrogen and estrogen-like compounds circulating in the body.  I must place a special emphasis on estrogen-like substances.  These synthetic chemicals disrupt the fine hormonal balance in the female body.   And are major drivers of fibroids, irregular menstruation, endometriosis, anovulation, breast and ovarian cancer, to name a few.  Two major sources of these toxins are canned foods and commercial milk.

Ginger helps to resolve estrogen dominance through various means.  One important way is that it optimizes liver function.  The liver manages the levels of hormones circulating in the body and mops up any excesses.  However, the liver can be overwhelmed by the high amounts of estrogen-like compounds in many processed foods.  Ginger assists the liver in detoxifying this toxic barrage.

Once you address estrogen dominance, fibroids shrink and dissolve.  A powerful tonic can be prepared from ginger and beetroot.  You grind one tablespoon of finely chopped ginger and one tablespoon of finely chopped beetroot in a blender with a cup of water.  You drink this twice a day.  In a few weeks, you will begin to see dramatic results.

A diabetic’s best friend

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is expanding rapidly on a global scale.  In some developed countries, one in ten people are diabetic.  In the United States, it is estimated that one in three people will become diabetic by 2030.  A similar, if less dramatic, trajectory is also predicted for developing countries.  In short, the future is diabetic.

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