When I close my eyes and imagine hibiscus flowers I can practically hear the ocean with it’s roaring waves and feel the warm sand between my toes. Perhaps my fondest childhood memories are of my long days spent on the beach, where hibiscus flowers dotted the boardwalks.
HIBISCUS is the first flower featured in the #WildFolkFlowerLibrary. It is the perfect flower to honor in the new year because it provides us with the vision to see a joyful future. It energizes us, rooting us and our intentions and provides us the strength to find beauty in the small things.
There are hundreds of species in the Hibiscus family. in the Wild Folk Flower Library, I'm highlighting two species of hibiscus flowers, popular for their use in folklore, culinary and skincare applications: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and Hibiscus sabdariffa.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The flowers are edible and are used in a variety of tropical dishes. An extract made from the flower can be added to a variety of topical products, including moisturizers and cleansers to promote skin-enhancing effects such as improving skin elasticity, providing anti-oxidant qualities through Vitamin C, and increased circulation.
Hibiscus sabdariffa, is very anti-inflammatory and noted for its skin-soothing benefits as well as its amazing antioxidant and anti-aging properties, is the favorite for Wild Folk products. Additionally, the calyx from these hibiscus flowers are high in vitamin C as well as natural antioxidants and are often found in medicinal and flavorful teas.
Hibiscus flowers as an entire species have many associations with historical folklore. A long-standing symbol of delicate beauty and feminine beauty, the hibiscus is often used as an accessory to accentuate a woman's beauty and availability. When worn behind the left ear, the blossom helps to promote a woman as eligible, while worn behind the right ear, the bloom tells potential suitors that the woman is spoken for.
The resonance of the hibiscus flower takes us out of the fog that is our own self-centered world and opens our eyes inviting us to discover our truest passions. It allows us to find joy and happiness in the fleeting beauty of our daily lives. Imagine the things that make you happy and cherish them!
These are just two of the hibiscus flower species that we love and use at Wild Folk. As always, when eating a flower or any other plant, be sure you have correctly identified it to prevent any adverse reactions. You need to be sure of the variety and do your research to make sure that it’s not only edible but also know if there are any contraindications with that variety or what side effects there might be. If you’re unsure of your variety, don't eat it! :)
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