Features
Health benefits of hibiscus enormous — Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu
Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu is a distinguished nature path, professor of naturopathy, lawyer, legal academic, Chartered Health Economist, and Chartred Management Consultant. He is a passionate advocate for traditional and alternative medicine in Africa.
The outdated perception that practitioners of traditional and alternative medicine lack formal education is now a thing of the past, and Prof. Nyarkotey has played a crucial role in reshaping this narrative.
It is rare, if not unprecedented, for a lawyer to be at the forefront of promoting natural and herbal medicine in Ghana and Africa.
However, Prof. Nyarkotey has demonstrated beyond doubt that it is possible. His journey began as a naturopath before he pursued law in The Gambia, where he was later called to the Bar. This remarkable achievement made him the first naturopath in Africa to attain such a distinction.
Recognising his unique position, traditional healers in The Gambia urged him to use his legal expertise to advance the cause of traditional and alternative medicine, a mission he actively pursues.
As the President of Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology in Ghana, Prof. Nyarkotey has been instrumental in advancing naturopathy and holistic medicine education.
He played a key role in developing Ghana’s first National Occupational Standard in Naturopathy and Holistic Medicine under the Commission for TVET (CTVET). His expertise spans naturopathic research, healthcare law and policy, law and development, theology, health economics, and the integration of traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare systems.
Globally recognised for his contributions, he has significantly influenced legal frameworks for naturopathy and alternative medicine in both Ghana and The Gambia.
In recent years, hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, has become a major public health concern in Ghana.
Health statistics indicate that a significant percentage of the adult population suffers from hypertension, exacerbated by poor dietary habits, stress, lack of physical activity, and genetic predisposition.
Other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, are also prevalent. Prof. Nyarkotey has gained widespread recognition for his pioneering promotion of hibiscus as a natural remedy for managing high blood pressure, a topic that has recently gone viral.
As a distinguished columnist for the Ghanaian Times, his insights caught the attention of The Spectator, leading to an interview to discuss the health and economic benefits of hibiscus, commonly known as sobolo.
Interviewer (The Spectator): Prof. Nyarkotey, your research and articles on the health benefits of sobolo have been trending recently. Can you shed more light on its impact on hypertension?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Thank you for the opportunity. Yes, my recent studies and articles have focused on the effects of hibiscus, or sobolo, on high blood pressure. Several scientific studies, including my own research, have shown that hibiscus has antihypertensive properties.
It contains bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins and flavonoids, which help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, improving circulation, and reducing oxidative stress.
Studies indicate that hibiscus tea can be as effective as some antihypertensive medications in mild to moderate hypertension cases. However, moderation is key, especially for those already on blood pressure medications.
The Spectator: How does hibiscus work to lower high blood pressure?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Hibiscus primarily acts as a natural ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor, preventing blood vessel constriction, and thus lowering blood pressure.
Additionally, it has diuretic properties that help eliminate excess sodium and fluids from the body, contributing to better blood pressure regulation. Its antioxidants also combat oxidative stress, a major factor in hypertension.
The Spectator: Apart from hypertension, you also mentioned that hibiscus improves urine flow in men with prostate issues. Can you elaborate how this works?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Certainly. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in aging men that leads to difficulty in urination due to prostate enlargement. Hibiscus has diuretic properties that increase urine production and flow, alleviating symptoms such as frequent urination and urinary retention. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce prostate swelling and improve urinary health.
The Spectator: That’s interesting. What is the difference between consuming hibiscus cold versus hot?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: The temperature at which hibiscus is consumed affects its potency. Cold hibiscus tea retains more vitamin C and delicate antioxidants, making it ideal for boosting immunity and hydration. Hot hibiscus tea, however, releases more flavonoids and polyphenols, enhancing its cardiovascular benefits. Cold hibiscus is great for antioxidant effects, while hot hibiscus is better suited for hypertension and relaxation.
The Spectator: What about hibiscus powders, capsules, tablets, and decoctions? How do they compare in effectiveness?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Hibiscus is available in various forms. Powders retain most bioactive compounds and can be added to food or drinks. Capsules and tablets offer a convenient, standardised dosage, ideal for those who prefer not to drink tea. Decoctions, where hibiscus is boiled for extended periods, may extract additional medicinal compounds. Each form has its benefits, depending on individual needs.
The Spectator: Does hibiscus help regulate blood sugar levels?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Yes, hibiscus helps improve insulin sensitivity and slows carbohydrate absorption, which is beneficial for individuals with diabetes. Drinking hibiscus tea after meals can moderate blood sugar spikes and enhance glucose metabolism.
The Spectator: Can individuals with low blood pressure and low blood sugar consume hibiscus?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Those with low blood pressure or low blood sugar should be cautious, as hibiscus can further lower both. It is advisable to consult a naturopathic doctor before incorporating it into their diet.
The Spectator: Can hibiscus be combined with pharmaceutical antihypertensive and diabetic medications?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Hibiscus may enhance the effects of these medications, leading to excessively low blood pressure or blood sugar. Individuals on these medications should consult their doctors before combining hibiscus with their treatment regimen.
The Spectator: Is hibiscus beneficial for liver and kidney health?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Yes, hibiscus has hepatoprotective properties that support liver health by reducing oxidative stress and promoting detoxification. Its diuretic effects also aid kidney health by flushing out toxins and reducing the risk of kidney stones. However, those with existing kidney conditions should seek medical advice before consuming it regularly.
The Spectator: What are your plans for the hibiscus industry?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: I see significant potential in the hibiscus industry and plan to promote large-scale cultivation, value addition, and further research. I aim to collaborate with stakeholders to develop hibiscus-based products and create more awareness of its health benefits. Establishing a structured hibiscus industry could provide economic opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and researchers.
The Spectator: You also mentioned that sobolo could replace communion wine. Can you elaborate on this?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Absolutely. I recently spoke with a pastor concerned about the rising cost of imported communion wine. Many churches struggle to afford these imports. I strongly propose Sobolo as an affordable, healthier, and locally sourced alternative.
The Spectator: How does Sobolo compare to traditional communion wine?
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Traditional communion wine is made from fermented grape juice and often contains alcohol. Sobolo, made from hibiscus flowers, ginger, and spices, is rich in antioxidants and alcohol-free, making it suitable for all church members, including children and abstainers.
The Spectator: Thank you, Prof. Nyarkotey, for sharing such valuable insights.
Prof. Nyarkotey Obu: Thank you as well. It’s always a pleasure to educate the public on naturopathic medicine and healthy living.
- By Prof. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu
Attention-Deficit or Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often mistaken for laziness or indiscipline. In consulting rooms across Accra and in reports from school teachers, the pattern repeats: children who are bright but forgetful, parents who feel helpless, teachers who see incompleteness.
Research is clear-Barkley (2015) and others describe ADHD as a difference in the brain’s regulation of alertness, impulse and working memory, not a lack of effort.
The family’s role begins with structure. Regular sleep, predictable meal and homework times, and a simple visual list (uniform → books → water → corridor) provide the external scaffolding of these children need. Praise what is completed—“You opened the book and wrote the first sentence”-instead of rebuking what is missing.
Schools can help by seating the child front-row and centre, giving short written plus verbal instructions, allowing brief movement breaks, using quiet nonverbal cues and, where possible, grading effort and method as well as neatness. These adjustments reduce conflict and raise submission rates without lowering standards.
Couples and caregivers should share roles: one grounds, one pivots, and both protect rest. Shame-“bad parenting, bad child”-needs replacing with fact: different wiring, needs scaffolding.
Outcomes improve not by promises of perfection but by daily routines, clear limits and warmed connection. One homework slot kept, one instruction chunked, one calm repair after blurting-these small wins shift the family climate and let the child be seen beyond the label.
Resource
• CPAC (award-winning Mental Health and Counselling Facility): 0559850604 / 0551428486
Source: REV. COUNSELLOR PRINCE OFFEI’s insights on special needs support, relationships, and mental health in Ghana. He is a leading mental health professional, lecturer, ADR Expert/Arbitrator, renowned author, and marriage counsellor at COUNSELLOR PRINCE & ASSOCIATES CONSULT (CPAC COUNSELLOR TRAINING INSTITUTE) – 0551428486 /0559850604.
WEBSITES:
https://princeoffei22.wixsite.com/author
https://princeoffei22.wixsite.com/website
After two weeks of hectic activity up north, I drove to the Tamale airport, parked the car at the Civil Aviation car park as usual, paid the usual parking fee and boarded the plane for Accra.
Over the last two weeks, I had shuffled between three sites where work was close to completion.
One was a seed warehouse, where farmers would come and pick up good quality maize, sorghum and other planting material.
The other was a health facility for new mothers, where they were given basic training on good nutrition and small scale business.
And the third was a set of big boreholes for three farming communities.
The projects usually ran on schedule, but a good deal of time was spent building rapport with the local people, to ensure that they would be well patronised and maintained.
It was great to be working in a situation where one’s work was well appreciated. But it certainly involved a lot of work, and proactivity. And I made sure that I recorded updates online before going to bed in the evening.
When the plane took off, my mind shifted to issues in Accra, the big city. The young guys at my office had done some good work. They had secured five or six houses on a row in a good part of the city, and were close to securing the last.
When we got this property, unusually, Abena greeted them casually, and appeared to be comfortable in the guy’s company.
I was quite disappointed to hear that, because until the last few weeks, it seemed as if Abena and I were heading in a good direction. Apart from the affection I had for her, I liked her family. I decided to take it easy, and allow things to fall in whatever direction.
Normally I would take a taxi to her house from the airport, and pick her up to my place. This time I went to my sisters’ joint, where they sat by me while I enjoyed a drink and a good meal.
“So Little Brother,” Sister Beesiwa said, “what is it we are hearing about our wife-to-be?”
“When did you conclude that she was your wife-to-be? And what have you heard? I’ve only heard a couple of whispers. Ebo and Nana Kwame called to say that they have seen her in the company of—”
“Well said Little Brother,” Sister Baaba said. “By the way, Nana Kwame called an hour ago to ask if you had arrived because he could not reach you. Someone had told him that Jennifer had boasted to someone that she had connected Abena to a wealthy guy who would take care of her.”
I was beginning to understand. For some time, Abena had been asking me what work I was doing up north, and after I had explained it to her, she kept asking. So I think Jennifer fed her with false stories about me in order to get her to move to the Ampadu guy. Jennifer must have been well compensated for her efforts.
“In that case,” Sister Beesiwa said, “you should be glad that Abena is out of your way. She is easily swayed. Anyone who would make a relationship decision based on a friend’s instigation lacks good sense. I hope the guy is as wealthy as they say?”
“Who gets wealthy running a supermarket chain in Ghana?” Sister Baaba said. “Our supermarkets sell mostly imported products. Look at the foreign exchange rate. And remember that Ghanaians buy second-hand shoes and clothes. Supermarkets are not good business here. Perhaps they are showing off that they are wealthy, but in reality they are not doing so well.”
“Amen to that,” I said. “I’m beginning to understand. For some time, Abena had been asking me what work I was doing up north, and after I had explained it to her, she kept asking. So I think Jennifer fed her with false stories about me in order to get her to move to the Ampadu guy. Jennifer must have been well compensated for her efforts.”
She said that David Forson was only an agricultural extension worker in the north who did not have the resources to take care of a beautiful girl like her. And apart from being wealthy, the guy comes from an influential family, so Abena had done much better leaving a miserable civil servant like you for him.
“Amen to that,” I said. “I’m beginning to understand. For some time, Abena had been asking me what work I was doing up north, and after I had explained it to her, she kept asking. We would be able to sell all five houses to one big corporate customer, and we had already spoken to a property dealer who was trying to find a buyer in order to get a good commission.
That was going to be my biggest break. I had asked the boys to look for a large tract of land on the outskirts of the city where we could develop our own set of buildings, blocks of storey houses and upscale apartments. Things were going according to plan, and I was quietly excited. However, things were not going so well regarding my relationship with Abena.
My buddies Ebo and Nana Kwame had called to say that they met Abena and her friend Jennifer enjoying lunch with a guy, and Ebo believed that Jennifer was ‘promoting’ an affair between Jennifer and the guy. They were of the view that the promotion seemed to be going in the guy’s favour, because only an agricultural extension worker in the north who did not have the resources to take care of a beautiful girl like her.
And apart from being wealthy, the guy comes from an influential family, so Abena had done much better leaving a miserable civil servant like you for him.
“As I’ve already said, I will stop by her place, but I will mind my own business from now. Hey, let’s talk family. How are our parents? And my brothers-in-law? And my nephews and nieces? Why don’t we meet on Sunday? I’m going to drop my bags at my place, and go to see Mama and Dad.”
