Hibiscus is actually native to Angola, but is now cultivated in tropical areas worldwide. Hibiscus flowers used medicinally come mainly from North Africa (Sudan and Egypt) and smaller quantities from Mexico, India, China and Thailand.
Hibiscus flowers as a medicine
In herbal medicine, the flowers of hibiscus (Hibisci flos), harvested and dried during the fruiting season, are used. The calyxes are offered in whole or cut form.
Hibiscus: special characteristics
Hibiscus is an annual herbaceous plant up to 4 m tall, bearing lobed leaves. The mostly yellow flowers have a five-lobed inner calyx and a cleft outer calyx. After fading, the flowers enter the harvest stage; they are then fleshy and red.
The inner calyx of the flowers is usually about 2-3 cm in size and divided into five long, pointed lobes. The outer calyx consists of leaflets 6-15 mm long, which are firmly fused to the base of the calyx at the bottom. Both calyxes are light red to dark purple, with slightly lighter coloration at the base of the inner side.
Odor and taste of hibiscus
The flowers give off a somewhat peculiar odor. The taste of hibiscus flowers is sour.
