Hibiscus

Energetics: Cooling, Drying, Toning

Actions: Anti Inflammatory (Reduces inflammation), Antioxidant (Can protect against free radicals), Hypotensive (Lower blood pressure)

Found in: Moon-a-pause

There are over several hundred species of Hibiscus that grow in tropical environments throughout the world. The species used for teas and herbal supplements is what's known as rosella, jamaica sorrel, or java jute. The edible external portion or calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa has a deep crimson color. This part is used in Mexico for Jugo de Jamaica, Bissop tea in Senegal, and other parts of West and East Africa—where the plant originates. It was believed to have come over to Latin America (much like most of Africa's botanical legacy) during the late 1400s in the vile transatlantic slave trade¹.

As a tea, the plant is energetically cooling, Hibiscus shows its strength on a summer day when someone may feel overheated and frazzled. All the while, this same property helps cool a hot flash experienced during menopause². It is also shown to be helpful to reduce high blood pressure and hypertension while also calming other types of inflammation in the body³.

1. 1.Grace Young & William L. Hosch. (2008). Roselle. Encyclopedia Britannica.
2. Michel, J. L., Mahady, G. B., Veliz, M., Soejarto, D. D., & Caceres, A. (2006). Symptoms, attitudes and treatment choices surrounding menopause among the Q’eqchi Maya of Livingston, Guatemala. Social Science & Medicine, 63(3), 732-742.
3. McKay, D. L., Chen, C. O., Saltzman, E., & Blumberg, J. B. (2010). Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. The Journal of nutrition, 140(2), 298-303.