The Beauty of Hibiscus
Hibiscus is such a beautiful exotic flower. I love seeing them flowering and seen them on my travels to both India and Morocco in abundance.
Skin + hair tonic
In Ayurvedic medicine they hold their reputation of beauty as a hair tonic and to improve the complexion of our skin. This is possibly due to it’s cooling properties according to ayurveda. It helps to reduce Pitta dosha and thereby any heat associated with excess Pitta such as irritation and redness. For the scalp it may reduce the ‘fire’ or heat in the head of an over thinking and over analytical Pitta personality. The heat from too much stress and analysing associated with Pitta is often thought to be a cause of baldness.
Cool + calm
Due to it’s cooling properties this is the flower to enjoy during the hot summer months. I am currently loving the Hibiscus ice tea (with a bit of lime and mint) from our local cafe Boyce de Roca.
You can get dried hibiscus or hibiscus powder from Banyan Botanicals or your local health shop (make sure it is organic and ok to take internally). It is also a key ingredient in the Beautiful Skin Tea from Neal’s Yard Remedies. Make an infusion with 1 teaspoon of dried flowers to a cup of boiled water and let it steep for 3-5 minutes depending on taste. It tastes delicious both hot and cool. Add lime, mint or for a more warming effect a pinch of cinnamon. Alternatively add it to warm milk (or milk alternative).
As a cooling flower it is indicated when having inflammation. Any boils, sores and hot headaches.
It has an affinity with our circulation and may be of interest to any one looking after their heart, arteries and veins according to ayurveda
A woman’s flower
Well, all flowers are beautiful. Hibiscus is also sensuous, vibrant and very exotic. It is used for the reproductive system specifically for women. It has traditionally been used to regular and balance the menstrual cycle. Energetically it has an affinity with the 1st and 2nd chakra associated with the pelvis.
Ayurvedic energetics
From an ayurvedic point of view hibiscus is thought to have the following properties:
Rasa (taste): astringent, sweet
Virya (action): cooling
Vipaka (post-digestive effect): sweet
Doshas (constitutions): Balancing for pitta and kapha, may increase vata in excess.
Source: Banyan Botanical
Tea mentioned: Beautiful Skin Tea information here
The content of this blog is for the sole purpose of being informative and educational. Please always speak to your health care practitioner before changing your regime or taking any new remedies. The posts should not be considered as medical advice for any health problem.