Hibiscus is a bushy annual plant. Parts of the
flower are used to make a popular drink in Egypt
called Karkade. Various parts of the plant are also used to
make jams, spices, soups, and sauces. The flowers are
used to make medicine.
The hibiscus has had a lengthy history of use in Africa and
neighboring tropical countries. Its fragrant flowers have been used
in sachets and perfumes. In areas of northern Nigeria, this plant
has been used to treat constipation. Fiber from H. sabdariffa has
been used to fashion rope as a jute substitute. The fleshy
red calyx is used in the preparation of jams, jellies, and cold and
warm teas and drinks. The leaves have been used like spinach. The
plant is used widely in Egypt for the treatment of cardiac and
nerve diseases and has been described as a diuretic. In Iran,
drinking sour tea for the treatment of hypertension is a popular
practice. It has been used in the treatment of cancers. Research
reveals little or no evidence of these medicinal uses of hibiscus.
The mucilaginous leaves are used as a topical emollient in Africa.
In Western countries, hibiscus flowers often are found as
components of herbal tea mixtures. In Thailand, people consume
roselle juice to quench thirst. Karkade seed products (ie, karkade
defatted flour, protein concentrate, protein isolate) have been
studied for their nutritional and functional value.
