Strengthens the immune system, also lowers blood pressure
A tea that can help against diabetes and osteoarthritis – hard to imagine, but according to researchers, chronic inflammation in the body could be reduced thanks to certain ingredients in the Hibiscus plant.
Fruit teas such as rosehip and hibiscus are beneficial and are particularly recommended for diabetics because they are calorie-free and caffeine-free. Hibiscus has an extremely health-promoting effect, as its ingredients, such as citric acid, have a positive effect on the immune system’s T-helper cells. Hibiscus tea is often equated with mallow tea, also known as wild mallow – both are considered medicinal plants for their anti-inflammatory effect in colds known. Especially for people with autoimmune diseases such as arthrosis, rheumatism, Diabetesacne, Crohn’s disease or multiple sclerosis, hibiscus could mean a new therapeutic approach.
Hibiscus works against chronic inflammation – possible as a tea, syrup or in a salad
Hibiscus – fresh, dried, in the form of tea or juice – is said to have numerous health-promoting properties: the medicinal plant and flowers are said to have anti-inflammatory and even antihypertensive effects. (icon picture)
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Hibiscus is used in African folk medicine as a medicinal plant for various ailments. The flowers are not only very thirst-quenching, they are also said to have antibacterial, antispasmodic, laxative, diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects and strengthen the immune system due to their antioxidant properties. This proves one current investigation. Externally, hibiscus or wild mallow help itchy eczema of the skin. Even high blood pressure Hibiscus tea is said to help – three cups of hibiscus tea a day lowers systolic blood pressure by 13 mmHg, like the Medical journal reported.
Edible Hibiscus flowers include Chinese rose mallow (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), garden marshmallow (Hibiscus syriacus), and marsh marshmallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)—fresh or dried Hibiscus flowers are good as a healthy ingredient in salads. Based on a study, researchers were able to shed more light on the interesting effect of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) in connection with autoimmune diseases.
Hypothyroidism: Eleven non-specific symptoms you should know about
Fatigue is one of the most typical symptoms of an underactive thyroid. Everyday life is then extremely difficult for many of those affected to cope with without treatment. Exhaustion is often initially attributed to stress, sleep disorders, lack of sleep or overwork. The majority does not initially know that being tired results from a lack of hormones in the thyroid gland. It then produces too little thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which slows down the metabolism, which is sometimes noticeable in severe tiredness. (Iconic image)
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Women are often said to get cold faster and more than men. This can actually be explained biologically: Muscles generate and store heat. Since men have more muscle mass than women on average, they are less likely to get cold. However, if you are particularly sensitive to cold, it could also be a typical symptom of hypothyroidism. It is therefore always worth checking your thyroid levels if you have regular attacks of chills. (icon picture)
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In addition to fatigue, poor performance and concentration are common symptoms of hypothyroidism. Affected people feel listless and depressed. This can be explained by the fact that the thyroid hormones themselves act in the brain: the hormones allow brain cells to grow and promote the formation of nerve cells in the learning and memory center of the brain. If there are no thyroid hormones, this is immediately noticeable in the concentration of those affected. (icon picture)
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The lack of drive is often accompanied by depressive moods up to and including depression. If there is persistent disinterest and depression, a possible thyroid disease should definitely be clarified by a specialist – gynecologist or endocrinologist – before those affected are treated for depression, according to the “German Thyroid Center”. (icon picture)
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Hypothyroidism in men can affect potency and sexual desire. The poor performance and fatigue associated with hypothyroidism can also trigger impotence. Therefore: In the case of erectile dysfunction and sexual reluctance in men, always remember to have your thyroid levels checked. (icon picture)
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In most cases, an underactive thyroid gland is also indicated by weight gain without the affected person changing their eating habits. At the same time, they have difficulty maintaining or losing weight due to a lack of thyroid hormones to regulate blood sugar and break down fat. If you notice significant weight gain, see a doctor to have your thyroid levels checked. (icon picture)
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Excessive hair loss can have various genetic, immunological, inflammatory but also hormonal causes. The latter is a common and typical symptom of hypothyroidism, as the metabolism is slowed down. This also affects hair growth. Hair grows less quickly, is dry, brittle and more likely to fall out. Bald spots can appear especially on the outer edges of the eyebrows. If you notice noticeable hair loss, you should discuss this with your doctor and have your thyroid values checked. Men with an undiscovered hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism) will also be able to notice this when shaving, since the beard growth is then much less. (icon picture)
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If a couple does not conceive, thyroid hormone levels should also be investigated as a reason. The thyroid gland with its hormones takes over crucial functions in the female cycle and is important for the occurrence of a pregnancy. The hormones have an effect on the metabolism and thus also on the gonads. A malfunctioning thyroid gland can negatively affect the menstrual cycle and the maturation of the egg cell in women. If you want to have children, the thyroid should always be checked to rule out whether there is an underactive thyroid and/or Hashimoto’s disease. (icon picture)
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A non-specific symptom that sufferers rarely notice, let alone associate with the thyroid, is low blood pressure and a weak pulse. The reason for this: Due to the lack of thyroid hormones, the body is no longer supplied with sufficient blood and oxygen, so that the pulse and heartbeat become slower and weaker. (icon picture)
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Thyroid disease also affects the cardiovascular system. Conversely, a possible hypothyroidism should always be considered for all diseases of the cardiovascular system, according to the “German Thyroid Center”. We know from practice that in addition to a slowed pulse, those affected can also experience cardiac arrhythmias and, in the long term, cardiac insufficiency or cardiac insufficiency. (icon picture)
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If the thyroid gland is underactive and therefore fewer hormones are available in the body, less fat can be transported from the blood to the liver as a result. This causes blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels to rise. High cholesterol levels usually do not cause any symptoms, which can be dangerous for the body in many ways. The risk of stroke and heart attack increases significantly. In severe cases of thyroid disease, high cholesterol shows up as small, yellow pimples on the skin called xanthomas, which are the result of excess fat. (icon picture)
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Prevent chronic inflammation: Citric acid in Hibiscus acts on disease-causing T helper cells
As part of this Study by scientists from the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (JMU) under the direction of Dr. Martin Väth, new approaches for targeted therapy in autoimmune diseases were discovered, as summarized in a JMU press release. To do this, the researchers focused on a group of cells in the immune system: type 17 T helper cells, also known as Th17 lymphocytes, and acetyl coenzyme A. The physicians assume that these play an important role in the development and alleviation of chronic inflammation and take over autoimmune diseases. Prof. Väth and his team discovered that acetyl-KoA in Th17 immune cells can regulate the activity of various gene sections in the cell nucleus and in this way inhibit pro-inflammatory genes. Citric acid or the dietary supplement hydroxycitrate can prevent the disease-causing functions of the Th17 immune cells and thereby reduce inflammatory processes in the body, as further stated in the JMU press release.
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Medicinal plant Hibiscus: Possible therapeutic approach for diabetes, rheumatism, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis
Hydroxycitrate is a derivative of citric acid found in a variety of tropical plants including Garcinia cambogia and the edible roselle, Hibiscus sabdariffa. Hibiscus sabdariffa is the one known in this country Hibiscustee or mallow tea. In the form of syrup, Hibiscus is also added to desserts and drinks. In autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, rheumatism, Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS), Hibiscus could help to alleviate chronic inflammation in the body in the future.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.