What are the benefits of drinking Hibiscus tea? Find out here! Also, read on for holistic recipes for teas, drinks and serums for skin care!
What is Hibiscus?
HIBISCUS is a plant that generally grows in warm, temperate, tropical or sub-tropical climates. It is part of a rather large genus of flowering plants belonging to the mallow family. There are several hundred species of hibiscus throughout the world, including the popular ROSE OF SHARON bush, Rose Mallow, and Tropical Hibiscus.
How do you grow Hibiscus?
Hibiscus is a popular plant in gardening and landscaping because of its hardiness and big, showy flowers that come in all colors.
If you want to grow hibiscus yourself, it’s important to know which of the three main types of plants will be best for your area.
- Tropical hibiscus
- Hardy perennial hibiscus
- Hardy shrub hibiscus
Regardless of which plant you choose to grow, all hibiscus prefer rich, well-draining soil. These plants need a lot of rich, organic fertilizer to keep their blooms healthy. Always pinch off old blooms to preserve nutrients and hydration in the plant.
They also prefer full sun, but make sure to water them regularly in hot, dry climates.
Tropical hibiscus grow well year-round in zones 9 and 10. They are a popular container plant and relatively easy to care for. If you live in a cooler zone, be aware that they will not tolerate a frost or a heavy freeze.
Growing hibiscus in a container helps to control pests in warmer climates and makes it easier to transport inside in cooler climates. Your plant should always be brought indoors before the temperatures fall into the 40’s [Faranheit].
When bringing the plant indoors, allow a few weeks for the plants to adjust to their new environment. You may see leaves or flowers drop during this time.
Reduce watering slightly and keep your plant in a cool, bright spot inside your home. Before returning outdoors in the spring, prune your plant to give it a nice fresh start to the year.
Hardy perennial hibiscus
Also called the Rose mallow or Swamp mallow, this plant will completely die in the winter and sprout anew in the spring. It is hardy to zone 4, but does not like to be moved around, so, when planting, choose your location carefully.
This plant does better with a rich organic fertilizer containing phosphorous. While most hibiscus bloom spring to fall, or year-round in tropical and sub-tropical climates, this one tends to bloom in July and August.
Using a moisture control soil will help these plants to retain moisture when dry and not be overly soggy during heavy rains.
Hardy shrub hibiscus, or Rose of Sharon, is perhaps one of the most hardy of all, often seen planted outdoors in yards as a landscaping decorative bush. It does well in zones 5 – 9 and is thus suitable for year-round outdoor planting in climates with seasons, as long as they are not too extreme.
The blooms are not quite as big as the tropical varieties, but the blooms are prolific and consistent all summer long and into early fall. They attract hummingbirds and butterflies and are thus a much sought-after addition to many outdoor gardens.
Benefits of Hibiscus
Skin Care
In addition to adding beauty and vivid color to your landscaping, hibiscus has many holistic benefits as well.
You can make a tea from the dried flower petals of hibiscus that is rich in Vitamin C and has a slightly tart flavor. It is well known for its beautiful red color, though the color can vary depending on the color of the flowers used. People drink it either hot or cold.
Many also add hibiscus tea or water to other drinks as a refreshing twist. Hibiscus water is a great rehydrator and can be used as a facial toner. It is moisturizing to the skin, rich in Vitamin C and can reduce dark spots. It also breaks down dead skin cells producing a younger, firmer complexion.
To make a quick facial refresher, mix together 1 oz of hibiscus tea and 1 oz of fresh, spring water into a small spray bottle and use any time you need a quick refresher away from home.
To see more ideas and DIY recipes for hibiscus skin care, please click here.
Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea has many health benefits. What are some of these?
Hibiscus tea has been shown to prevent hypertension, lower blood pressure, and reduce blood sugar levels. Because of this, many diabetics choose hibiscus tea for a refreshing change of pace.
It can also help with depression. It boosts your immune system. It has even been shown to help with menstrual cramps. It helps in metabolizing fats in the body and can aid in reducing cholesterol.
It aids digestion, helps to keep your liver healthy, and thus can help with weight management. Its rich in Vitamin C, contains minerals such as flavonoids and has laxative properties.
Best of all, it tastes delicious and with its deep pink/slight red hue, it’s just so beautiful to look at!
To make individual hibiscus tea, simply use 2 teaspoons of dried hibiscus flowers per 6 – 8 oz of boiling water, and steep to taste. Add sweetener of your choice, if desired.
For a whole pot, combine 2 Cups of fresh hibiscus flowers, or 1/2 Cup dried flowers, with 8 Cups of water and bring to a boil in a pan on the stove. Add 1/4 Cup honey (or maple syrup) [or sweeten to taste], and 3 Tablespoons of fresh lime juice for a balanced flavor.
Be sure to watch the video below to learn how to make Nigerian ZOBO. This is a wonderful recipe using hibiscus!
Who should avoid Hibiscus products?
Hibiscus contains phytoestrogen, a plant-based compound similar to human estrogen. Therefore, women who are pregnant, using estrogen-based contraceptives, or breast-feeding should probably avoid ingesting hibiscus products, as regular use could interfere.
As with all natural products, there is always a chance that a person can have side effects or develop an allergy to hibiscus.
Though rare, some have reported headache, nausea, stomach pain, gas, constipation, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears), although most of these have been reported with overuse, or concentrated use as in pills or powders, rather than in prepared teas or drinks.
If you are on any kind of medications, it’s always best to talk to your doctor before taking any new products to avoid any interactions or possible negative side effects.
Summary
Hibiscus are beautiful and decorative plants with big, showy blossoms that will be sure to captivate everyone’s attention in the neighborhood. They provide nectar for honeybees, butterflies, and other natural pollinators.
Not only can you add beauty to your yard, but you can also reap the benefits of holistic gardening by harvesting the petals, drying them and using them to add flavor to other drinks, brewing natural teas, or even creating serums and solutions you can use in your daily skin care routine.
In short, if you give a hibiscus plant a home, your hibiscus will give back to you hundredfold!