Today’s episode is about hibiscus energetics – a quick clarification on plant species & parts, and how herbal energetics & actions may differ among them.

The hibiscus you find most often in stores or shops or herbal drinks is Hibiscus sabdariffa, and it’s the specific part of the flower called the calyx.

The calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa is distinct from those of other species in the genus. From this species, this part is fleshy, red, and sour. These characteristics are signals to us. The red comes from anthocyanins, and indicates antioxidant/anti-inflammatory and blood-vessel-stabilizing actions; the sour means draining to excess fluid, and cooling to excess heat. Energetically, then, it’s cooling, drying, tonifying.

This is also the part with greater evidence for impacts on reducing cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and blood pressure. There is some evidence that hibiscus can lower blood sugar, as well. This part has an interaction with the antimalarial drug chloroquine – but this is also true of lemonade and other acidic drinks, not a uniquely hibiscus problem. Almost all discussion of and research about hibiscus revolves around H. sabdariffa calyx.

Other species of Hibiscus don’t produce that fleshy calyx. The leaves and flower petals of H. sabdariffa itself, and the leaves and flowers of other Hibiscus species (e.g. the rose of Sharon, H. syriacus and rose mallow, H. rosa-sinensis), are more similar to the herb marshmallow & other members of the mallow family. They are cooling, moistening, and relaxant, with a mucilaginous quality. They can help with dry coughs, sore throats, dehydration, and similar dry conditions.

So to review: all parts of all species are cooling. Leaf & flower are moistening & relaxant. H. sabdariffa calyx is drying & tonifying. You can compare the H.sab calyx to rose hips, and the leaves & flowers to marshmallow.

It’s important to keep this distinction in mind whenever discussing “hibiscus”!

All this illustrates a fundamental truth of herbalism, very clearly: plant species, part of plant, and other specific details about an herb can make a big difference in how we work with it, and what it can accomplish. So, don’t let these details slip past you! They could make the difference between a remedy that does the job, and one that lets you down.

For further info on hibiscus:

• HHP 191: Herbs A-Z: Hibiscus & Hypericum
• images of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx at IPlantz
• Hibiscus profile at Herbal Reality

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