Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a flowering shrub much loved by gardeners and landscapers for its beautiful, vibrant flowers.

In other languages, the name of this plant sounds like this:

• English - Hibiscus;
• German - Hibiscus;
• French - Hibiscus.

Hibiscus has a wide variety of species, so its appearance can be very different. It can be a low tree or a herbaceous plant, but most often the hibiscus is a branchy shrub strewn with brightly colored inflorescences. The flower of the herbaceous hibiscus reaches as much as 30 cm in diameter.

The seeds of the plant ripen in small boxes, which are sometimes covered with pile.

In the botanical literature, information can be found on many different types of hibiscus. In total, scientists count from 150 to 300 species of this shrub. Among them the most famous are:

• hemp - an annual, which is a low grass, is used for the production of technical textiles;
• Chinese- evergreen shrub with very large, pink or red inflorescences;
• rosella - a shrub with white or pink flowers, the fruits of which are used to make hibiscus tea and confectionery;
• Syrian - a tall shrub, which is characterized by a wide variety of colors of inflorescences;
• trifoliate- a herbaceous plant, characterized by the structure of the leaf and pale yellow, with a purple middle inflorescences.

Hibiscus is common in Europe, Africa, North and South America, in countries with tropical and subtropical climates. On the territory of Russia, the largest number of species of this plant grows in the mountains of the Caucasus, in the Far East and in the Crimea. Hibiscus can also be found in the CIS countries, including Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The roots of the plant, as well as very young ovaries, contain the greatest amount of nutrients. The latter are usually harvested on the 6th day after their appearance. The flower ovaries are cut with garden shears or a small pruner. You can do this procedure for the entire flowering period of hibiscus, every one and a half weeks.

The collected raw materials are dried away from sunlight, in a room with dry air and good ventilation. It is best to store the ovaries and roots of hibiscus in bags or paper bags.

The hibiscus petals of those species commonly eaten are characterized by:

• dark red;
• fruity-floral aroma;
• sweetish, with a slight sour taste;
• high concentration of nutrients.

You can learn more useful information about hibiscus from the video.

Hibiscus contains a large amount of organic acids: phenolcarboxylic, tartaric, citric, malic and ascorbic. As well as amino acids and flavonoids: hibiscetin, myricetin, quercetin and hibissetrin. The red color of hibiscus tea comes from anthocyanins.The chemical composition also includes: polysaccharides, pectin, vitamin C, mucous substances, macro- and microelements.

• normalizes pressure;
• improves skin condition;
• has a choleretic effect;
• regulates metabolism;
• cleanses the blood;
• strengthens blood vessels;
• has a diuretic effect;
• is a mild laxative;
• helps to get rid of excess weight;
• strengthens the immune system;
• purifies the air in the room.

There are no strict contraindications for eating hibiscus, but people suffering from the following diseases should take this plant with caution:

• gastritis;
• stomach ulcer;
• hypertension.

Hibiscus essential oil has been used in many different areas of life. In aromatherapy, it is used to treat depression, in cosmetology - for skin care and inflammation, and in folk medicine - for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and to relieve pain and muscle cramps. Hibiscus oil has a rich musky aroma, so it is often included in various perfume compositions.

Hibiscus juice is recommended by traditional healers for the treatment of a number of diseases, including in order to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood. For these purposes, the Chinese hibiscus, which is also called the Chinese rose, is most suitable. Juice is squeezed from fresh inflorescences of the plant in any way possible, for example, using gauze or a meat grinder.

Hibiscus syrup has a wide range of health benefits, but is usually used not as a medicine, but as a soft drink or an ingredient in a variety of cocktails. The syrup contains hibiscus flowers, water and cane sugar. Drinking this drink after a meal will help get rid of digestive problems.

• fresh hibiscus leaves can be added to salads;
• the leaves of this plant can also be stewed with meat;
• hibiscus seeds are roasted and used to make oriental sweets;
• grains can also be added to coffee during brewing;
• hibiscus petals are part of different types of tea;
• the flowers of the plant are used in the preparation of sweet sauces, jams and jellies.

Grind dried flowers: 1 part hibiscus, 1 part tea rose and 1/3 part lavender. Add salt and sugar to taste. Seasoning is perfect for salads of flower petals and fruits, for cottage cheese and dairy desserts.

Peel a small piece of ginger root and cut into thin strips. In a small saucepan, put ginger, half a glass of sugar and pour a liter of water.

Constantly stirring, wait for the water to boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and put 3-4 tea bags with hibiscus petals in it (you can replace it with just dried flowers). Cover and leave for 15 minutes.

Then strain the tea and let it cool. Add 2 tbsp. lemon juice. If desired, you can dilute the drink with cold water. Serve with ice cubes and lemon wedges.

Traditional medicine recommends using medicines prepared from various parts of the plant to combat a variety of ailments, including:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• haemorrhoids;
• constipation;
• dysentery;
• purulent inflammation on the skin;
• alcohol poisoning;
• swelling;
• hypotension;
• elevated temperature;
• violation of the kidneys.

• For constipation it is recommended to prepare a mild laxative from hibiscus petals. For this, 1 tbsp. dried flowers pour a glass of hot water and let it brew for 30 minutes. The decoction should be drunk warm.
• If there are worms in the body an infusion of hibiscus flowers will help. It is prepared traditionally: brew 1 tbsp. dry petals in a glass of boiling water. The decoction should be drunk on an empty stomach once a day for 3 days.
• For insomnia and nervous tension a soothing drink made from hibiscus and hops will help. Take in equal parts (about 1 tbsp each) hibiscus petals and hop cones and pour 300 ml of boiling water. Let the broth brew for several hours. Drink 1 tbsp. a spoonful of decoction in the morning and 2 tbsp. - before going to bed. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Cosmetics prepared on the basis of hibiscus flowers are used for:

• care for oily and combination skin;
• giving skin elasticity and smoothing wrinkles;
• pore cleansing;
• relieve inflammation;
• prevent dandruff;
• reduce oily hair.

Nutritionists often recommend that those who wish to lose weight replace regular tea with hibiscus tea made from hibiscus flowers. It contains substances that help to get rid of excess weight, and also regulates digestion. In addition, the laxative and diuretic effects of hibiscus are well known.

Even in ancient times, people learned how to prepare red paint from hibiscus flowers, which they applied to the body, dyed hair and fabrics.Today, some housewives use this dye to dye Easter eggs, but the color of the eggs will not be red.

Growing hibiscus at home is not difficult even for a beginner grower. The easiest way to do this is from a cutting of a plant.

Before planting, the cut stalk is recommended to be treated with a special growth stimulator, which is sold in florist shops. Then the cutting should be rooted in a container with a sand-peat mixture or simply put in water.

You need to grow cuttings in a warm, bright room. Within a month, the young plant will give roots. When this happens, the cutting should be planted in a separate pot with soil fertilized with peat and humus.

Caring for hibiscus is not a burden at all. It is necessary to ensure that the plant has enough sunlight, but at the same time, protect it from direct sunlight. Indoors in summer it is necessary to maintain room temperature, and in winter try to place the pot with the plant in a cooler room (but the air temperature should not fall below 10 degrees).

Periodically, hibiscus should be watered with settled water, slightly warmer than the room temperature. In summer and spring, it is advisable to spray the plant. For better growth, once a month, the soil can be fed with a special fertilizer for hibiscus.

The first few years of life, the flower needs an annual transplant. An older plant is enough to transplant once every three years.

Hibiscus propagates by cuttings, seeds, layering, as well as dividing the bush.The first two methods are the easiest. We have already written about growing cuttings above. Propagation by seeds is as follows:

• the collected seeds are placed in a container with epin - a growth regulator and left for 6 hours;
• prepare a box for planting - mix sand and peat;
• place the seeds in the planting mixture;
• the box is covered with glass and placed in a warm room;
• several times a week, seedlings are ventilated and watered;
• when the first 3-4 leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in separate pots.

For breeding at home and in the backyard, Chinese hibiscus is the most popular. It is this type of flower that boasts the largest variety of varieties. Here are just a few of them:

• Gait;
• White diamond;
• cloudy days;
• snowy sky;
• Darkness of the night;
• flower wall;
• Marianne Charlton.

• In the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, there is the world's only Hibiscus Park, in which about 2,000 specimens of the plant are grown. The hibiscus flower can also be found on the national emblem of this country.
• In India, hibiscus participates in wedding ceremonies - bright red flowers are woven into wedding wreaths.