I know I say this about a lot of plants but Hibiscus tops my charts for sipping on a hot summer day or for me really any day. It is my favorite flower that represents my happy place- the tropics. Living in Colorado and being landlocked can sometimes be tough on me and my sense of place, not to mention our climate can be hot and dry which exacerbates my own constitution which is also hot and dry. Hibiscus serves as a reminder of my calm and cool energy when I am oceanside in the tropics. I also favor the sour and tart taste of hibiscus which begins the cooling as soon as it hits my tongue. I have high blood pressure and I use both hibiscus and hawthorn berry to keep it in check. I imbibe hibiscus in tea form, as a lovely Agua de Jamaica and other herbal mocktails that I come up with, and I take hawthorn as a tincture.ย
If plants had Instagram, hibiscus would be the one posting sun dappled selfies with the caption โHere to lower your blood pressure and raise your vibe.โ Thankfully, we donโt need socials to enjoy its medicineโjust a kettle and some curiosity.
Hibiscus is a big genus (200 plus species), but two divas do most of the healing heavy lifting:
โข Hibiscusโฏsabdariffa (roselle, the tart calyx that turns tea crimson), and
โข Hibiscusโฏrosa sinensis (the glossy tropical bloom loved by Ayurvedic hair oil formulators).
Around the world hibiscus stands for beauty, devotion, and feminine powerโno wonder itโs the state flower of Hawaiสปi and the sacred offering to the goddessโฏKali in Bengal. Kali being one of my allies when I need to surrender to what is and stand in my power. The flower essence Hibiscus is also known to assist women in confidently owning their sexuality.
Hibiscus is considered a refrigerant herb in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine it is natureโs coolant and it is no accident that it grows in the tropics throughout Asia, Pacific Islands, India, West Africa and has been naturalized in the Caribbean. Nature knows how to show up where itโs needed most. Bar none it is the herb that cools me down quickly, whether I am running hot physically or energetically.
Hibiscus: Known for its vibrant blooms, hibiscus is also valued for its cooling properties. Studies suggest that consuming hibiscus tea may help regulate body temperature and promote hydration, making it an excellent summer beverage. Most herbal traditions classify herbs as either heating, cooling, or neutral. So, if the heat's got you down, focus on herbs that are known for their cooling properties which we have been talking about all month: Hibiscus, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, and Holy Basil are an excellent start.
Hibiscus is also a cardio-tonic and calms the heat in the heart, circulatory system, and the blood itself. This is a common effect of many of the sour flavored herbs. The high level of anthocyanins have been show to normalize cholesterol and glucose levels.
Anthocyanins donโt just paint your teacup red; they mop up oxidative stress that drags mood down. A Saudi pilot study had participants sip 250โฏmL of hibiscus juice daily for a weekโscores on the Profile of Mood States improved across the board, especially โtensionโanxiety.โ
Hibiscus is a tonic for my nervous system although it is not considered a nervine, for me it cools my energetic fires when I am short-tempered and keeps me from using words to burn everyone and everything in my path.
Its astringency can be helpful when you notice your heat is causing your skin to be red. When my son was a baby I would use it as a compress if he got diaper rash, it would help to dry and soothe it. I would compress it on and then let it dry before putting a diaper or any clothing back on. It would clear up after a few applications.
There is a debate on whether hibiscus is safe during pregnancy because of its emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation) properties. I ALWAYS err on the side of caution and agree that it is best not to drink hibiscus during pregnancy.
Hibiscus works not only on the physical heart but on the heart chakra. To me it helps open my heart to be more vulnerable and to connect with others through shared story and listening deeply.
Hibiscus teaches us that beauty and potency are not oppositesโtheyโre duet partners. From bustling Mexican mercados to midnight tantric temples, this flower keeps showing up where passion and healing intersect. Brew her, bless her, befriend herโand let your own ruby-red radiance bloom.
The Yucatan region of Mexico is where I first tasted Agua de Jamaica my absolute favorite beverage. I love that you can get so many fresh juices and agua de frescas anywhere and anytime. It is refreshing to not only have water and soda to choose from if you donโt want to drink alcohol. The US is starting to up their game with herbal and botanical based mocktails but we have a long way to go. I have played with my recipe for Agua de Jamaica over the years and would love to share my latest version with you:
Dinaโs Sparkling Jamaica Mock/Cock tail
1. Brew ยฝโฏcup dried hibiscus calyces, 4โฏallspice berries, and 1 stick cinnamon in 4โฏcups simmering water; steep 15โฏminutes, then strain.
2. Sweeten to taste with simple syrup or local honey. Chill until cold.
3. Serve 1โฏpart crimson concentrate to 1โฏpart sparkling or still water over ice; finish with a squeeze of fresh lime and a sprig of mint.
4. Invoke party mode by splashing in an ounce of dark rumโKali definitely approves.
Sip slow, feel your inner thermostat slide from โfurnaceโ to โisland breeze,โ and let your heart beat to a cooler, sassier rhythm.ย
At Anna's we carry loose hibiscus for you to make this and whatever other concoctions you dream up, it is also a star in several of our tea blends, and we make a Hibiscus digestive bitter tonic to tame the digestive dragons. So stay cool my friends and enjoy some hibiscus!ย
