Hibiscus, a name in traditional Chinese medicine. It is an annual herbaceous plant of the Malvaceae family, and its calyx is used medicinally. It has the effects of tonifying the lungs and relieving coughs, lowering blood pressure, and alleviating alcohol intoxication. It is primarily used to treat coughs caused by lung deficiency, hypertension, and alcohol intoxication.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus, a name in traditional Chinese medicine. It is an annual herbaceous plant of the Malvaceae family, and its calyx is used medicinally. It has the effects of tonifying the lungs and relieving coughs, lowering blood pressure, and alleviating alcohol intoxication. It is primarily used to treat coughs caused by lung deficiency, hypertension, and alcohol intoxication.
Chinese Name : 玫瑰茄
Aliases : Roselle, Mountain Eggplant
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Taste: sour; nature: cool; enters the Kidney meridian
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
It consolidates the lungs to relieve cough, lowers blood pressure, and alleviates alcohol intoxication.
Indications
Mainly used to treat coughs due to lung deficiency, hypertension, and alcohol intoxication.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Decoct 9–15 g in water; or steep in boiling water.
Precautions
Should not be taken with other strongly acidic foods or medications to avoid excessive irritation to the stomach and intestines.
Chemical Constituents
The flowers contain chemical components such as organic acids, polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and essential oils. The organic acids include citric acid, malic acid, hibiscus acid, and tartaric acid.
Pharmacological Actions
Modern research indicates that calyx extracts possess antioxidant, antitumor, cardiovascular protective, hepatoprotective, antihypertensive, laxative, and diuretic effects.
Relevant Discussions
According to the *Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica*, the roots and seeds have diuretic and tonic effects.
Applications
Clinical Applications
For treating heatstroke and coughs: 9–15 g of hibiscus (dried calyx), decocted in water or steeped in boiling water. (*Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine*)
Medicinal Diet Therapy
1. Hibiscus Tea: Steep 3–5 grams of hibiscus in warm water, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar or honey, and drink as a tea substitute. Long-term consumption helps lower total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, thereby preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases and aiding in weight loss.
2. Golden Lotus and Hibiscus Tea: 1 g each of hibiscus, golden lotus flower, and wood butterfly flower. Steep in hot boiling water, add rock sugar to taste. No need to cover; wait until the hibiscus blooms, then drink as a tea substitute. This tea clears lung heat and soothes the throat, proving highly effective for bronchitis, coughs, sore throat, and tonsillitis.
3. Rose Hibiscus and Chrysanthemum Tea: 1 gram of hibiscus, 3 chrysanthemum blossoms, 5 goji berries, and 1 Sterculia seed. Steep in boiling water for 5–10 minutes, then add rock sugar to taste. This tea soothes the throat, relieves discomfort, and moisturizes dryness.
4. Hawthorn and Honey Tonic:Take equal amounts of hibiscus and dried hawthorn berries, boil in water for three minutes, let cool, then stir in honey. Regular consumption aids digestion and strengthens the stomach.
5. Hibiscus Pork Rib Soup: 10g of hibiscus, 250g of pork ribs, and 800ml of water. Simmer for 3 hours, then season to taste. This delicious soup is nourishing and promotes a healthy complexion.
Notes
Patients requiring treatment with Chinese herbal medicine should first consult a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital to receive a prescription following a professional TCM differential diagnosis.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Pick the calyxes along with the fruits, sun-dry for one day, then remove the calyxes once they have shrunk. Place the fruits on a clean straw mat or bamboo basket to dry completely.
Storage Methods
Store in a cool (5–10°C), well-ventilated, and dry place.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
This product is slightly conical or irregular in shape, 2.5–4 cm long, and approximately 2 cm in diameter. The calyx is purplish-red to purplish-black, 5-lobed, with lanceolate lobes; at the base, small bracts fused to the calyx are visible, approximately 10-lobed and lanceolate, with a hollow at the base left after the fruit has been removed. It is light in weight and brittle in texture. It has a faint, pleasant aroma and a sour taste.
Properties of Processed Slices
See “Characteristics of Medicinal Materials.”
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
Hibiscus sabdariffa, a plant of the Malvaceae family.
Morphological Characteristics
This product is slightly conical or irregular in shape, 2.5–4 cm long, and approximately 2 cm in diameter. The calyx is purplish-red to purplish-black, 5-lobed, with lanceolate lobes; small bracts fused to the calyx are visible at the base, approximately 10-lobed and lanceolate, with a hollow at the base left after the fruit has been removed.The corolla is yellowish-brown, with linear striations on the outer surface; the inner surface at the base is yellowish-brown, occasionally bearing sparse, coarse hairs. It is light in weight and brittle in texture. It has a faint, pleasant aroma and a sour taste.
Distribution Area
Native to the tropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere, it is now cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. In China, it is primarily produced in Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong, and southern Yunnan.
Propagation Methods
Propagated by seed.
Cultivation Techniques
The harvest time significantly affects the germination rate; seeds harvested at the optimal time have a germination rate of over 85%. The optimal germination temperature is around 25°C, with germination occurring in 4–5 days. Under room temperature conditions, seeds that are more than one year old are unusable. The plant has a taproot system with well-developed lateral roots that penetrate deeply into the soil. It is not particularly demanding regarding soil conditions but thrives best in deep, loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam (pH 6–8).In commercial production, direct seeding is used, with sowing conducted from late April to mid-May; seeds may be soaked in warm water for 25 hours prior to sowing. Plant 4–5 seeds per hole, cover with 0.5–1 cm of soil, and keep the soil moist; the seed rate is 0.6–1 kg per mu. For seedling transplantation, broadcast or row sowing is used, with a seed rate of 3–5 kg per mu. Seedlings emerge 7–8 days after sowing.