Hibiscus is native to Angola and is now cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions. Especially in Sudan, Egypt, Thailand, Mexico, and China.

It has a long history of use in Egypt, Sudan, Iran, and North Africa for supporting respiratory function, improving heart health by managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, encouraging fluid balance, and improving circulation.

In Africa, it is a symbol for a beautiful woman. A tea is made from the blossoms to treat constipation, cancer, liver disease, and a pulp, made from the leaves, is used to apply to the skin to heal wounds.

The Ancient Egyptians used hibiscus to lower body temperature and treat nerve diseases.

Today, besides the above-mentioned conditions, hibiscus is also used to treat sunstroke, hangovers, and externally it is applied as a poultice to treat shingles.

And did you know, that similar to cranberry, hibiscus extract can be used to treat bacterial and urinary tract infections? Compared to cranberry, hibiscus has a stronger antimicrobial effect, particularly against Candida albicans.

There is more to hibiscus than a lovely pink, lemony flavored tea! Find out more about this lovely herb from a Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective.