Hibiscus Flowers

Western Bulk Herbs – Hibiscus Flowers

Hibiscus is a very versatile healing herb that has been used for a long time for various ailments. Hibiscus has been used for lowering blood pressure and increasing urination. It has also been used to treat coughs and respiratory illnesses.

Hibiscus flowers have a laxative effect, so they use it in diet formulas not because it speeds up your metabolism but because it works to eliminate wastes.

Hibiscus can have an abortive effect on the uterus if pregnant. There are studies being done to see the healing properties for ascariasis (parasitic roundworm) and tuberculosis.

Latin Name:
Hibiscus sabdariffa

Common Names:
Red sorrel, Indian Sorrel, African Mallow, Jamaica Sorrel and Roselle.

Parts Used:
The flower, dried. It can be ground to a powder.

Properties:
Hypotensive, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, diuretic.

Traditional Uses:
Used as a tea but has been known to be in capsules.

Topical Uses / Applications:

Culinary Uses:
Can be added to anything but it makes a delicious syrup for pancakes, waffles, crepes, sliced bananas and other fruits, custards, ice creams. It also makes a tasty tea.

Chemical Properties:
hydroxycitric acid (HCA, or hydroxycut), and hypotensive compounds

Cautions:
GRAS: Generally Recognized as Safe. This herb can be safely consumed when used appropriately. It is speculated that excessive internal use should be avoided during early pregnancy. Avoid if there are gallstones.

Folk Lore:
In Egypt, the seeds are chewed as a stomachic, nervine, and to sweeten the breath. They also use is as an aphrodisiac and insecticide. Pakistanis and Nepalese use used it relieve fever in adults and children. Hibiscus flower is used in Cuba to treat respiratory illnesses.

In South America it’s used in treatment of hair loss and scurvy. In the Cook Islands and Philippines highly concentrated preparations of flowers are used as an abortifacent (cause abortions). Besides its healing properties hibiscus is wonderful as a syrup over waffles, fruit, or any type of custards or ice creams.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.