Japa
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Japa (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Anthocyanins have low bioavailability (~1-2%) but are active in the GI tract. Quercetin bioavailability ~5-10%. Hibiscus acid and hydroxycitric acid are well absorbed.
| Botanical name | Hibiscus rosa-sinensis |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Malvales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3152559 · NCBI Taxonomy 183298 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Japa |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Kashaya, Madhura | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (flower powder), Capsule, Tablet, Swarasa (fresh flower juice), Taila (hair oil), Kwath (decoction), Gulkand-like preserve
Standard Dosage: 3-6g dried flower powder twice daily; 500mg extract; 10-20ml fresh flower juice; external oil as needed
Bioavailability: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flowers contain anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-sophoroside, cyanidin-3-glucoside), quercetin, and vitamins. Anthocyanins have low bioavailability (~1-2%) but are active in the GI tract. Quercetin bioavailability ~5-10%. Hibiscus acid and hydroxycitric acid are well absorbed. Mucilage fraction acts locally. Lipid-based delivery or phospholipid complexation may enhance flavonoid absorption.
Optimal Timing: With meals for internal use; hair oil application at night before washing
Standardized Extract: Flower extract standardized to 5% anthocyanins (as cyanidin-3-glucoside); aqueous extract standardized to 10% total polyphenols
Shelf Life: 1 year (flower powder); 2 years (standardized extract capsule); 2 years (hair oil); 6 months (fresh juice)
Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C, protected from light (critical for anthocyanin stability). Amber containers. Nitrogen-flushed packaging for extract powder.
Marker Compounds: Cyanidin-3-sophoroside, Cyanidin-3-glucoside, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Hibiscus acid, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Mucilage polysaccharides
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous extraction (for mucilage and water-soluble polyphenols)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 for flavonoid-rich extract)
- Acidified ethanol for anthocyanin preservation
- Cold pressing of fresh flowers for Swarasa
- Oil infusion in coconut/sesame oil for Taila
Synergistic Combinations
- With Bhringaraj for hair growth (external)
- With Amalaki for antioxidant action
- With Shatavari for female reproductive health
- With Brahmi oil for hair vitality (external)
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2025. Revolutionising shift in advanced wound healing therapies: nanoengineered herbal gelsNatural product research. PMID 39626000 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2024.2436111
Other clinical studies and reviews5
- 2025. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis: A Multifunctional Flower Bridging Nutrition, Medicine, and Molecular TherapeuticsFood science & nutrition. PMID 41323831 · doi:10.1002/fsn3.71254
- 2024. A Comprehensive Overview of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.: Its Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemistry, Therapeutic Uses, Pharmacological Activities, and ToxicologyEndocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets. PMID 37218183 · doi:10.2174/1871530323666230522113405
- 2022. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Forage as a Potential Feed for Animals: A ReviewAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI. PMID 35158612 · doi:10.3390/ani12030288
- 2014. FDA-Approved Natural Polymers for Fast Dissolving TabletsJournal of pharmaceutics. PMID 26556207 · doi:10.1155/2014/952970
- 1982. Research on plants for fertility regulation in IndiaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 6752588 · doi:10.1016/0378-8741(82)90004-6
Laboratory and animal studies6
- 2023. Color, Antioxidant Capacity and Flavonoid Composition in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis CultivarsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36838766 · doi:10.3390/molecules28041779
- 2022. Pest categorisation of Maconellicoccus hirsutusEFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority. PMID 35035580 · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7024
- 2021. A Virus Infecting Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Represents an Evolutionary Link Between Cileviruses and HigrevirusesFrontiers in microbiology. PMID 34012426 · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.660237
- 2020. Growth-Inhibiting, Bactericidal, Antibiofilm, and Urease Inhibitory Activities of Hibiscus rosa sinensis L. Flower Constituents toward Antibiotic Sensitive- and Resistant-Strains of Helicobacter pyloriACS omega. PMID 32832762 · doi:10.1021/acsomega.0c01640
- 2019. AMPK activating and anti adipogenic potential of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flower in 3T3-L1 cellsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 30593890 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2018.12.039
- 2016. Flower senescence and other programmed cell death processes in plants: a tribute to the late Wouter G. van DoornJournal of experimental botany. PMID 27794033 · doi:10.1093/jxb/erw372
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