Hibiscus flowers are always lovely to look at, especially during the spring and summer seasons. This fragrant flower comes in all kinds of variations and colors, such as white, pink, red, yellow, and purple. Hibiscus flowers are often given to women and symbolize beauty, delicacy, and glory, but the history behind this flower is a testament of its strength-giving properties as well as it's role in African history. Also known as the African Rose mallow, Cranberry hibiscus, false Roselle, and more, this flower has more to it than beauty.
Where Did Hibiscus Come From?
Did you know that hibiscus is also native to West African countries, including Nigeria? The African variation, Hibiscus sabdariffa (also known as Roselle) played a prominent role in the folklore and medicinal aspects of various African cultures. This flower was one of the herbs that crossed the Atlantic along with enslaved Africans during their transport. Having Hibiscus and other familiar herbs help ensure that the Africans and other animals were able to survive their journey across the ocean. Having the plants there and seeing their ability to thrive in these new and strange destinations gave the ancestors hope and comfort when they needed it most.
A popular delicacy amongst the diaspora, this flower is often made into a tangy soup by crushing and cooking the leaves. Hibiscus was also used as a vibrant dye to color wood, fabric and similar items.
Hibiscus is often used as a key ingredient in a delicious drink known as Sorrel, Bissap, Agua de Jamaica, and Zobo, depending on what part of the world you are in. This popular drink is often mixed with ginger, citrus, cloves and other forms of aromatic herbs, and sometimes rum! It’s definitely consumed in Jamaica and West Africa and enjoyed as the drink of choice during the festive seasons.Hibiscus (rosa-sinensis) originates from places such as Mauritius, Madagascar, Fiji, and Hawaii.
Where Does Hibiscus Grow?
Like, it's African ancestors, Hibiscus is fond of growing in warm humid areas. This plant is very hardy and versatile, thriving in most places with a tropical or sub-tropical environment. It loves the sun, but does require shade when things get a bit too hot. Depending on the plant, moist soil is a must, with some plants preferring adequate drainage and others preferring the opposite. Some species bloom year-round and have flowers that only last a day at the most. Hibiscus blooms can also get extremely huge, as shown by the "African Princess" species of the plant!
The flowers on the Hibiscus plant are often used for medicinal purposes, wines, teas, jellies, and jam. Hibiscus tea is often enjoyed by many, for its fruity flavor and wondrous benefits for health and skin.
When making Hibiscus tea or juice, the flowers are dried and then brewed to make the beverage and it can be consumed hot or cold. The liquid often changes to a deep red hue, a sign that the flower is full of anthocyanin! This is the same compound that gives blueberries, cherries, and other vibrant fruits their deep colors.
Besides being a refreshing beverage, did you know that Hibiscus offers great external and internal benefits for your skin? You can see a short run-down of these benefits on our new inner and outer beauty card!
Internal Benefits:
Contains Antioxidants - What makes the Hibiscus flower so healing for the body and skin are the high amount of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anti-oxidants. These compounds help to cleanse the body and make it harder for environmental aggressors, pollution, and other factors to damage the skin and accelerate the aging process.
Vitamin/Mineral Infused - Hibiscus is also infused with a lots of vitamins and minerals that can promote wellness. Hibiscus is full of Vitamins A, C, and E, all three known for skin health and vitality.
Soothes Stomach Discomfort - Drinking a cup of Hibiscus is also a great way to relieve stomach discomfort and produce a soothing effect on the digestive system while helping to enhance and balance your insides.
Supports General Wellbeing - All in all, drinking a cup of this deep red liquid in general just grants body and mind a sense of calm and vitality. Hibiscus is a multi-talented ingredient that helps to regulate the body inside and out while helping alleviate several issues.
Mineral Packed - Hibiscus contains quite a few essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium. These play extremely important roles in many of the body's processes. If you're feeling out of sorts, a cup of Hibiscus tea could do you some good!
Besides having internal benefits, hibiscus holds a lot of pro-aging benefits that can help any skin type to look its best! This fragrant flower internal benefits can translate to healthy, plump looking skin with regular consumption. It's also a great addition to apply topically and shows great promise as a skincare ingredient!
External Benefits:
Purifies Skin - Skin that's oily or easily congested can reap the benefits of Hibiscus with regular use. Hibiscus helps to cleanse the skin using its renewing properties, helping to tone and remove impurities that can cause more issues such as acne.
Calms Irritated Skin - Thanks to Hibiscus's anti-inflammatory properties, this plant is capable of granting a synergistic effect to the body inside and out. Inflammation, redness, and general irritation are helped greatly by drinking a cup or Hibiscus or using it topically.
Helps Skin Retain Bounce and Vitality – Skin elasticity is important to maintain a bouncy, youthful appearance, but factors like aging, stress, poor health, and more can cause our skin's appearance to breakdown, resulting in sagging and a dull appearance. Hibiscus contains a high amount of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, two chemicals that can help skin to stay youthful while protecting the skin against environmental stressors. Anthocyanin is a phytochemical that gives hibiscus flower the edge when it comes to encouraging a youthful appearance. This compound can discourage damage from UV rays and help preserve the skin's vitality and youthful appearance as well.
Contains AHAs – A bright complexion can be encouraged by regular cellular turnover, and that’s where hibiscus also shines. AHAs are helpful in lifting dead skin cells and helping to alleviate dullness and texture. Hibiscus contains these AHAs and when used on the skin, it can help to clarify and balance the skin and promote easier hydration.
Reduces Dullness - Regular use of hibiscus topically will encourage radiant skin while enhancing the glow of your complexion. Dull skin can be a downer for an otherwise lovely visage, which is why when our skin tone is more even we look healthier and happier.
Great For Sensitive Skin – Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, hibiscus is helpful for calming redness and soothing irritated compromised skin. Skin types that have to deal with eczema, acne, rosacea, and other forms of skin disorders can benefits from having this ingredient in their skincare. Hibiscus contains a host of flavonoids that can counteract the inflammatory response that shows up on skin as well.
Works for All Skin Types – Hibiscus is a hit for any skin type, including mature skin due to its calming and pro-aging properties. This beautiful flower can help those with acne by calming and reducing the severity of breakouts while assisting in renewing compromised skin. It also it helpful for combination skin and helping to reduce the look of oily skin while helping to hydrate and maintain skin’s moisture levels.
Hibiscus is an ingredient that every person should use at least once in their lifetime. This lovely flower can help one to achieve their goal of gaining soft, glowing skin while taking care of their body on the inside.
We've got more details of this plant on our Sweeter Scorecard, so make sure to check it out to see if this pretty bloom will work for your skin type!
This flower has a host of potential to be a powerhouse skincare ingredient in our arsenal and we can’t wait to show you all what we have planned for this multi-talented flower!