Family : Malvaceae

Plant Parts Used: Leaf, Fruits

Description of Hibiscus sabdariffa:
The Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a species of hibiscus native to the Old World tropics. It is an annual or perennial herb or woody-based subshrub, growing to 2.5 m tall. The leaves are deeply three- to five-lobed, 85 cm long, arranged alternately on the stems.

The flowers are 80 cm in diameter, white to pale yellow with a dark red spot at the base of each petal, and have a stout fleshy calyx at the base, 1.5 cm wide, enlarging to 3.5 cm, fleshy and bright red as the fruit matures. It is an annual plant, and takes about six months to mature.

Uses:
Hibiscus, specifically Roselle, has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic, mild laxative, and treatment for cardiac and nerve diseases and cancer.

Roselle is drunk as a tea, believed to also reduce cholesterol. It can also be made into a delicious wine – especially if combined with tea leaves.

The plant is considered to have antihypertensive properties. Primarily, the plant is cultivated for the production for bats fiber from the stem of the plant. The fiber may be used as a substitute for jute in making burlap .

Sourced and Published by Henry Sapiecha 16th March 2010