Hibiscus: Flower, Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects

Classification of Hibiscus

Kingdom: Plantae
  Division: Angiosperms
    Class: Eudicots
      Order: Malvales
        Family: Malvaceae
           Genus: Hibiscus

Hibiscus Varieties

Several varieties of the Hibiscus flower provide different health benefits. There are over 100 known varieties of Hibiscus, the most commonly used of which are:

• Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
  It is commonly known as the Chinese Hibiscus and is the most abundantly found variety. The plant usually has bright red flowers and grows as a shrub or a small tree. The leaves of this variety are glossy in appearance. The flowers are edible and thus, used for garnishing salads. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis extract is utilized in many hair care and skincare products. This variety is known to impart lustre (shine), a quality that is employed while preparing shoe polishes. 
• Hibiscus syriacus
  This variety of Hibiscus is native to China and is mostly found in the southwestern parts of the country. The plant grows as a bushy shrub, and the flowers are usually white, blue or light purple in colour. The variety has been used as an infusion in herbal tea by indigenous people. It has been found that Hibiscus syriacus can be used to increased appetite and treat cough. 
• Hibiscus tiliaceus
  This variety of Hibiscus is found to mainly grow in the coastal regions of the tropical countries in Asia and Africa. The flower of Hibiscus tiliaceus is usually bright orange in colour and changes to red when mature. The plant usually grows as a tree and thus produces valuable wood that is utilized to make durable ropes and fix cracks in boats. Roots and barks of this hibiscus variety are boiled down to use as an infusion to treat fevers. 
• Hibiscus sabdariffa
  This variety is commonly called Roselle and majorly found in West Africa. The effects of this variety have been most widely studied. The flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa are used in the preparation of hibiscus tea, which has a wide range of applications. Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves are used as vegetables in many cultures and fibres from the stem of the plant are used along with jute fibres to produce durable products.

Hibiscus flowers contain a range of phytochemicals (bioactive compounds that are useful for medicinal purposes) that provide them with an array of therapeutic properties and uses. The details of the same have been discussed below.

• Beneficial for hair: Hibiscus makes the perfect hair care supplement for people looking for longer, shinier and healthier hair. It can be used in the form of oil, shampoo, conditioner or as a face mask to soothe your scalp and restore the strength and lustre of your hair shafts.
• Reduces blood pressure: HIbiscus possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which is suggested to reduce blood pressure. It also contains some polyphenols, which have been found to exhibit hypotensive (reduces blood pressure) action in clinical settings.
• Promotes wound healing: Hibiscus flower extracts improve wound healing process and skin breaking strength. It also prevents bacterial infection at injury site.
• Fights obesity: Hibiscus has a stimulatory effect on metabolism, which, in turn, helps combat obesity and overweight problems. The various active compounds present in this flower revert free radical damage and reduce oxidative stress that is one of the major factors contributing to obesity.
• Detoxifies the body: Hibiscus has a diuretic and detoxifying effect on your body. It helps eliminate toxic compounds and chemicals from your blood by flushing it out with urine.
• Anti-diabetic: Research studies indicate that hibiscus tea has a positive effect on insulin-producing cells, which improves the levels of insulin. It also reduces insulin resistance and oxidative stress in diabetic individuals, thereby helping manage blood sugar levels.

Hibiscus can readily be cultivated when provided with the right growing conditions. The following steps are to be followed in order to grow hibiscus at home and maintain its growth.

• General conditions:
  Hibiscus is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Therefore hibiscus requires an ideal mixture of sunlight and moisture conditions to grow. Different varieties of hibiscus need alterations within the temperature, sunlight, and humidity range for optimal growth.
• Quality of soil:
  To grow hibiscus, the soil should be well-aerated and contain a lot of moisture and organic nutrients.
• Season:
  The ideal season to grow hibiscus is during summer, spring or fall. Cuttings after rooting are allowed to harden on holding branches. The young plants then begin to take shape upon pinching, which is important for the determination of bud count of the plant and its density.
• Growth regulators:
  Depending upon the nature of the desired plant product, growth regulators are applied to the plant once it has reached the required height.

Hibiscus Plant Care

Constantly moist soil is a necessary requirement for the Hibiscus plant to grow. An absence of such a condition may cause the plant to wilt, which should be prevented by watering the plant on a regular basis. Water can also be conserved by the addition of organic mulch, which will further aid in killing weeds and controlling plant nematodes. Hibiscus plants should be occasionally trimmed to maintain their size. During winters, hibiscus requires severe pruning. In case of severe infestation by insects, insecticidal soaps or horticultural soaps should be applied.

Hibiscus flower extract has several valuable properties due to which it has many uses in day-to-day life. Certain people may, however, experience some side effects, which have been listed below. 

• Hibiscus intake by patients with hypotension (low blood pressure) may produce several derogatory effects on health. Some people may experience, dizziness, nausea along with palpitations in the heart on using hibiscus. If you experience any of the above symptoms, stop the use of Hibiscus and consult a physician. 
• Hibiscus flowers were found to have high levels of aluminium. Excess aluminium may deposit in the body, especially in patients with kidney problems. Aluminium is also found to have negative effects on the development of the embryo during pregnancy and several nervous disorders.
• In certain individuals, hibiscus use may produce allergic reactions. If allergic reactions occur, the intake of hibiscus tea must be ceased immediately and a physician should be consulted to prevent aggravation of allergy.