Herb Spotlight: Hibiscus

The Hibiscus plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is famous the world over, especially in subtropical and tropical climates, for its large and beautiful flowers.

Though its Latin name refers to it as the “Rose of China”, many botanists speculate that the plant’s origin is actually in India, from where it was first spread to China and to the South Pacific Islands, where it is a much-beloved, cultural treasure.

Regardless of its origin, Hibiscus has a long tradition in Ayurvedic medicine with many herbal properties and medicinal uses. It is referred to as tri-saṃdhya in Sanskrit, as the flowers last for only a day, or three saṃdhis (dawn, mid-day and evening) before expiring.

In this article we will share some of the wonderful Ayurvedic properties and uses of Hibiscus.

Ayurvedic Properties of Hibiscus

• Edible: Hibiscus flowers are edible! They can be added raw to salads, steeped in hot water to make Hibiscus tea, or even cooked and mixed with sugar to make Hibiscus syrup or Hibiscus jelly. Hibiscus flowers are high in vitamin C, as one cup of Hibiscus tea contains approximately 75% of the recommended daily value for Vitamin C.
• Natural dye: Hibiscus flowers are a natural dye (rañjana-oṣadhi) and can be used to dye textiles, polish shoes, and color hair. In this way it is similar to another Ayurvedic herb, Henna, though not as strong. Depending on the exact formulation and method of preparation, Hibiscus flowers can yield natural dye of various colors such as black, purple, red, pink and more.
• Cooling: Hibiscus flowers have a cooling potency, or śīta vīrya. Hibiscus helps to control excess pitta and kapha in the body. Cool Hibiscus tea or cool drinks made with Hibiscus syrup are very refreshing summertime drinks in many parts of the world.
• Astringent: Hibiscus is an astringent (kaṣāya) herb. It is therefore traditionally recommended in Ayurveda to help stop bleeding, especially in cases of bleeding piles and to treat diarrhea. It is also said to help with menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding during menstruation. Externally, the flowers are made into an astringent paste and applied, and internally the paste is usually recommended to be mixed with milk and consumed.

Hibiscus in Ayurvedic Hair Care

Last but not least, Hibiscus is a prominent member of the keśya family of herbs — Ayurvedic herbs which are most suited to care for the hair.

Hibiscus flowers act as a natural hair conditioner, and it is said in Ayurveda to treat dandruff, nourish and strengthen the roots of the hair, and promote hair growth. It is especially recommended in cases of alopecia (hair loss and spot baldness).

Since Hibiscus is also a natural hair dye, it is often included in many general purpose Ayurvedic formulas for hair, joining with many other synergistic herbs like Henna and Shikakai in Ayurvedic hair powders, hair oils, hair pastes, as well as Ayurvedic shampoos and conditioners.

Auromère Ayurvedic Products containing Hibiscus

Due to its amazing Ayurvedic properties, Hibiscus is included in many of Auromere’s skin and hair care products, including two of our latest products, a zero-waste and eco-friendly Conditioner Bar and a wonderful Exfoliating Body Bar.

Please find below a complete list of all Auromere products which contain Hibiscus.

Hair Care

The Conditioner Bar and Aloe Vera-Neem Ayurvedic Shampoo both feature the natural conditioning and hair nourishing properties of Hibiscus.

Skin Care

For skin care, there are a number of soaps available that feature Hibiscus included the Exfoliating Body Bar, Sandalwood-Turmeric Ayurvedic Liquid Soap, Tulsi-Neem Ayurvedic Soap, Lavender-Neem Ayurvedic Soap, Himalayan Rose Ayurvedic Soap, Vanilla-Neem Ayurvedic Soap.

For a limited time, use the coupon code HIBISCUS22 to receive a 25% discount on any of these products that contain Hibiscus!

With all best wishes to your health and wellness from Auromère