Hibiscus Flower (Roselle)- Lou Shen Hua | Premium Raw Herb
Hibiscus (Roselle), thought to have originated in tropical climes of Africa, was brought to the New World by African slaves in the 17th century and quickly became a common source of food & drink in Mexico, Central, and South America. It was (and still is) most commonly made into a tart, thirst quenching tea and traditionally used more “medicinally” for colds and sore throat.
To make a simple tea, just pour a cup of boiling water over 2 tsp of the dried herb and let it steep for 15 minutes. This not only allows the tea to become suitably tart, but it also allows the various antioxidant compounds, vitamin C, and soothing mucilage to steep into the brew…. add some cane sugar, orange slices, and a little more water and you have agua de Jamaica. (as it’s called in Mexico) or sorrel (as it’s called in the Caribbean islands)…. also, its high pectin content makes it a natural to turn into jams, pies, sauces, and chutneys. This herb will also infuse nicely into honey.
Hibiscus flower is cooling and sour in its energetics, which is why everyone makes it into a summertime tea. In terms of Chinese medicine, it “cools summer heat”, quenching thirst and reviving the body from being stressed from too much direct sun or blazing heat. Also, It is both astringent and contains mucilage, which means that it builds up tissues that needs healing while also soothing and coating them with cooling moisture. This herb pairs with gotu kola (Centella asiatica) to provide a body with the raw materials it needs to synthesize collagen and help restore damaged connective tissue in the joints.
Modern research also strongly supports its traditional use for cardiovascular health, particularly in helping to manage mild high blood pressure and cholesterol/LDL levels. This is due to (1) the presence of antioxidants and (2) to its action to inhibit angiotensin-converting enzme (ACE).
Which concerns is it good for?
- too much summer sun/overworking in the heat
- mild sore throat
- mild hypertension & elevated blood lipids
- any body system needing collagen