Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite
large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical
and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are often noted for their showy
flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus, or less widely known as rose mallow. The genus
includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small
trees. The generic name is derived from the Greek word ἱβίσκος, which was the
name Pedanius Dioscorides gave to Althaea officinalis.
Description The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate,
often with a toothed or lobed margin. The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped,
with five or more petals, color from white to pink, red, orange, purple or yellow, and
from 4–18 cm broad. Flower color in certain species, such as H. mutabilis and H. tiliaceus,
changes with age. The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing several seeds in each
lobe, which are released when the capsule dehisces at maturity. It is of red and white
colours. It is an example of complete flowers. Uses
Landscaping Many species are grown for their showy flowers
or used as landscape shrubs, and are used to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Paper One species of Hibiscus, known as kenaf, is
extensively used in paper-making. Beverage
The tea made of hibiscus flowers is known by many names in many countries around the
world and is served both hot and cold. The beverage is well known for its color, tanginess
and flavor. It is known as bissap in West Africa, karkadé
in Egypt and Sudan, agua de jamaica in Mexico and Honduras and gudhal in India. Some refer
to it as roselle, a common name for the hibiscus flower.
In Jamaica, Trinidad and many other islands in the Caribbean, the drink is known as sorrel.In
Ghana, the drink is known as Soobolo in the local dialect.
Roselle is typically boiled in an enamel-coated large stock pot as most West Indians believe
the metal from aluminum, steel or copper pots will destroy the natural minerals and vitamins.
In Cambodia, a cold beverage can be prepared by first steeping the petals in hot water
until the colors are leached from the petals, then adding lime juice, sweeteners and finally
cold water/ice cubes. In Egypt and the Middle east, hibiscus tea
is known by the name " KarKadeh" and is served as both a hot and a cold drink.
Food Dried hibiscus is edible, and is often a delicacy
in Mexico. It can also be candied and used as a garnish.
The roselle is used as a vegetable. Certain species of hibiscus are also beginning
to be used more widely as a natural source of food coloring, and replacement of Red #3
/ E127. Hibiscus species are used as food plants by
the larvae of some Lepidopteran species, including Chionodes hibiscella, Hypercompe hambletoni,
the nutmeg moth, and the turnip moth. Symbolism and culture
Hibiscus species represent nations: Hibiscus syriacus is the national flower of South Korea,
and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of Malaysia. The hibiscus is the national
flower of the Republic of Haiti. The red hibiscus is the flower of the Hindu goddess Kali, and
appears frequently in depictions of her in the art of Bengal, India, often with the goddess
and the flower merging in form. The hibiscus is used as an offering to goddess Kali and
Lord Ganesha in Hindu worship. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is considered to have
a number of medical uses in Chinese herbology. In the Philippines, the gumamela is used by
children as part of a bubble-making pastime. The flowers and leaves are crushed until the
sticky juices come out. Hollow papaya stalks are then dipped into this and used as straws
for blowing bubbles. The hibiscus flower is traditionally worn
by Tahitian and Hawaiian girls. If the flower is worn behind the left ear, the woman is
married or in a relationship. If the flower is worn on the right, she is single or openly
available for a relationship. The hibiscus is Hawaii's state flower.
Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie named her first novel Purple Hibiscus after the
delicate flower. The bark of the hibiscus contains strong bast
fibres that can be obtained by letting the stripped bark set in the sea to let the organic
material rot away. Health benefits
The tea is popular as a natural diuretic; it contains vitamin C and minerals, and is
used traditionally as a mild medicine. Dieters or people with kidney problems often
take it without adding sugar for its beneficial properties and as a natural diuretic.
A 2008 USDA study shows consuming hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure in a group of prehypertensive
and mildly hypertensive adults. Three cups of tea daily resulted in an average drop of
8.1 mmHg in their systolic blood pressure, compared to a 1.3 mmHg drop in the volunteers
who drank the placebo beverage. Study participants with higher blood pressure readings had a
greater response to hibiscus tea: their systolic blood pressure went down by 13.2 mmHg. These
data support the idea that drinking hibiscus tea in an amount readily incorporated into
the diet may play a role in controlling blood pressure, although more research is required.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has a number of medical uses in Chinese herbology. Lokapure s.g.et
al. their research indicates some potential in cosmetic skin care; for example, an extract
from the flowers of Hibiscus rosa- sinensis has been shown to function as an anti-solar
agent by absorbing ultraviolet radiation. In the Indian traditional system of medicine,
Ayurveda, hibiscus, especially white hibiscus and red hibiscus, is considered to have medicinal
properties. The roots are used to make various concoctions believed to cure ailments such
as cough, hair loss or hair greying. As a hair treatment, the flowers are boiled in
oil along with other spices to make a medicated hair oil. The leaves and flowers are ground
into a fine paste with a little water, and the resulting lathery paste is used as a shampoo
plus conditioner. Hibiscus tea also contains bioflavenoids,
which are believed to help prevent an increase in LDL cholesterol, which can increase the
buildup of plaque in the arteries. Species
In temperate zones, probably the most commonly grown ornamental species is Hibiscus syriacus,
the common garden hibiscus, also known in some areas as the "Rose of Althea" or "Rose
of Sharon". In tropical and subtropical areas, the Chinese hibiscus, with its many showy
hybrids, is the most popular hibiscus. Several hundred species are known, including:
Formerly placed here Photos
References
External links American Hibiscus Society
Australian Hibiscus Society International Hibiscus Society
Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions