Hibiscus, Powder (Hibiscus sabdariffa) – Dried Herb, Organic

Hibiscus flowers are known for their beautiful and colourful flowers, but they are also used medicinally.  They come in many colours. They can be red, yellow, white or peach-coloured, and can be as big as 6 inches wide. The most popular variety is Hibiscus sabdariffa. The red flowers of this variety are most commonly cultivated for medical purposes and used in teas and blends.

Known for its sour taste, Hibiscus tea, is made from a mixture of dried hibiscus flowers, leaves and dark red calyces (the cup-shaped centres of the flowers). After the flower finishes blooming, the petals fall off and the calyces turn into pods. These hold the plant’s seeds. Calyces are often the main ingredients in herbal drinks containing hibiscus. Much like the cranberry, Hibiscus tea can be used as a herbal drink hot or cold and is naturally calorie and caffeine free.

Hibiscus has been used by different cultures as a remedy for several conditions. Egyptians used Hibiscus tea to lower body temperature, treat heart and nerve diseases and as a diuretic to increase urine production.

Properties

Iron The best known nutrition fact about iron is that meats and plant foods are rich in iron. More human health problems worldwide are caused by iron deficiency than by lack of any other nutrient. 100 grams of Hibiscus tea contains 8.64 milligrams of iron, that’s the 48% of the daily recommended value for an adult.

Vitamin A: Hibiscus powder can provide you with 6 percent of the vitamin A that you need on a daily basis in each 100 g serving. One of Vitamin A’s big nutritional benefits is the fact that it is an antioxidant, which means that it helps to scavenge the free radicals that can cause major diseases.

Vitamin C: A 100 g serving of hibiscus powder can provide as much as 31 percent of the vitamin C that you need each day. Along with being an antioxidant, vitamin C is needed for a functioning immune system and for collagen production.

Fatty acids: Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are among hibiscus powder’s health boosting compounds. These are two fatty acids that your body cannot produce on its own and that are important for the function of your immune system and blood pressure regulation among other benefits.

Using Hibiscus Powder in Cosmetics, Soap, Ect:

1. Hibiscus Flowers Powder can be added to bath tea recipes

2. Hibiscus Flowers can be infused in oil and added to lip balm recipes to provide a natural red pigment color, and to soothe the lips.

3. Can be added to facial masks to provide toning, soothing, and softening affects to the skin.

4. Can be infused and added to lotion, cream, ointment recipes.

5. Hibiscus Flowers can be added to melt and pour soap to naturally color soap pink/red, and to provide skin soothing properties to the soap.

6. Hibiscus Flowers can be infused and added to hair conditioner to thicken hair, reduce hair loss, and to prevent dandruff.

7. Can be added to bath bomb recipes

8. Can be infused in massage oils

9. Hibiscus Flowers can be added to scrubs.

 Benefits for Skin

Hibiscus flowers have everything you need in a skincare ingredient—they hydrate, lift, exfoliate and tighten, all at the same time. Some people have even compared its elastin and collagen producing qualities to those of Botox, as hibiscus can leave skin refreshed and more supple in time. Check out the five best ways hibiscus can plump, moisturise and fortify your skin and hair.

How to use:

Use for a herbal hot tea or an agua fresco style refresher.

Add the dried hibiscus flowers to hot water and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. Let the mix cool and chill by refrigerating. Add a twist of lemon and some honey, agave or maple syrup to sweeten it up and your cold refreshing tea is ready. Or steep in hot water and enjoy a hot cup of goodness.

Cautions and contraindications:

Hibiscus leaves stains, so keep this in mind when you are preparing this tea.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. Please consult your health care provider before the use of this product if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or have a medical condition. Individual results may vary.