The genus Hibiscus L. is made up of more than 100 plant species. The hibiscus, a leaf widely known for its food and medicinal powers, has deep red flowers, edible fruit and stem, and a variety of therapeutic uses.

It is estimated that the hibiscus first appeared in East Africa or Asia, and was later taken to Europe. In the new continent, it did not conquer the European heart right away, but later its properties were discovered and quite explored. In Brazil, it came with the slaves and became popular. It is in tropical regions, inclusive, that it does better.

In this article, you will learn all the benefits for body, mind, and spirit of the hibiscus. Check it out!

The blueprint for spirituality

When it comes to spirituality, this medicinal plant is not far behind either. According to legends, the hibiscus can be used to attract a great passion, as well as providing aphrodisiac and lustful effects and scaring away negative energies. No wonder wedding garlands often contain several hibiscus.

One of the spells involving the plant is to carry hibiscus petals in your pocket to attract your soul mate, or drink hibiscus tea to get closer to a new love.

Another function of hibiscus is to enhance clairvoyance, helping those who have gifts of divination. To do this, simply mix it with incense or place it in wooden bowls of water.

If you are one of the people who want to benefit from the mystical powers of the hibiscus, below are some baths you can do using this plant:

Hibiscus bath recipe for protection and to attract love

Ingredients

• 3 dried or green hibiscus flowers
• 2 liters of water

Directions

1. Boil the flowers in 2 liters of water for 5 minutes and strain;
2. Pour the mixture from the shoulders down in a quiet environment;
3. While showering, try to have positive thoughts;
4. Let the body dry naturally;
5. Wear light-colored clothes.

Dried hibiscus bath recipe with cinnamon to open the way to love

Ingredients

• 3 dried or green hibiscus flowers
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 liters of water

Directions

1. Choose a full moon night;
2. Boil the hibiscus and cinnamon in water for 5 minutes and strain;
3. Take your shower normally first;
4. Pour the mixture from the shoulders down, mentalizing what you want;
5. Let the body dry naturally;
6. Wear light-colored clothes.

Umbanda's hibiscus bath recipe to strengthen those who are sick

Ingredients

• 3 dried or green hibiscus flowers
• 1 liter of water
• 3 tablespoons of coarse salt

Directions

1. Boil all the ingredients together, but this time do not strain;
2. Take your shower normally first;
3. Slowly pour the mixture from the shoulders down;
4. Let the body dry naturally.

Benefits of hibiscus

And it's not only for the spirit that hibiscus is useful. Because it is rich in vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, polyphenols, and several other nutrients, it can also be included in the diet to promote a healthier life:

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• Helps control cholesterol: Because it contains antioxidants called flavonoids, it protects the cardiovascular system from complications and also balances the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and good cholesterol (HDL) in the body;
• Prevents fluid retention: The hibiscus encourages the elimination of toxins through urine, making the kidney work better and reducing fluid retention that causes swelling;
• It influences healthy weight loss: Precisely because of its antioxidants, the plant prevents the accumulation of fat in the body and also accelerates the metabolism responsible for burning calories;
• It helps lower blood pressure: Because of its diuretic effect, various accumulated liquids are eliminated, which reduces blood volume and helps lower blood pressure;
• It reduces stress and anxiety: When it comes to mental health, hibiscus also helps to calm the mind and ease the symptoms of psychological disorders;
• It slows down aging and strengthens immunity: Its antioxidants directly fight free radicals, preventing premature aging, cancer, and problems that can weaken the body's defense system.

Consumption

But if hibiscus is so good, how can we include it in our daily lives? Do we have to make teas, include it in our diet, or take it in the form of medicine? Here are some ways to take advantage of this medicinal plant:

• Medication: If indicated by a doctor or nutritionist, hibiscus can be consumed in capsule form, dry or in soluble form. In these cases, a prescription from a specialist is mandatory;
• Tea: hibiscus tea is one of the best ways to extract all the benefits the leaf has to offer, and it can also be mixed with other ingredients and become delicious!
• Food: The hibiscus is a very versatile plant and can be included in the diet in different recipes, whether in juices, vitamins, jellies, mousses, or several others;
• Ornamental: It is not only at weddings that hibiscuses call attention, but also on other occasions they can be used as decoration to attract good energies or simply make the place more beautiful.

Recipes with Hibiscus

If interest was piqued as soon as you saw that hibiscus can appear in many delicious foods, read on. Below are some tasty, diverse, and very easy-to-make recipes involving the medicinal plant:

Strawberry, banana and hibiscus vegan pie

Ingredients for the pie

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup dried grated coconut
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 teaspoons coconut sugar
• 250 g chopped strawberries
• 4 bananas

Ingredients for the hibiscus syrup

• 1/2 cup hibiscus infusion
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°;
2. Mix the flours with cinnamon, coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar until it forms a moldable dough;
3. Distribute the dough in the baking pan and pre-bake for 15 minutes;
4. Chop the strawberries and set aside;
5. Mash the bananas with the rest of the sugar and distribute them over the pie;
6. To make the syrup, put the hibiscus infusion with sugar in a saucepan to cook until reduced;
7. Finish the pie with the chopped strawberries;
8. Sprinkle with coconut sugar and bake for 25 minutes;
9. Remove, pour on the syrup and serve!

Refreshing drink with hibiscus, grapes and basil

Ingredients

• 60 mL of vodka
• 30 mL of hibiscus craft syrup*.
• 15 mL Sicilian lemon juice
• 10 basil leaves
• 12 niagara grapes

*Boil 500 mL of water, add 60 g of hibiscus and 250 g of sugar. After boiling, strain and pour into a bottle.

Directions

1. Put the grapes in a cocktail shaker and macerate;
2. Add the other ingredients and whisk vigorously;
3. Strain into tall glass with ice;
4. It's ready to serve!

Alcohol-free drink with ginger and hibiscus

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chopped ginger
• 2 lemons
• 2 tablespoons of hibiscus
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 star anise
• 2 cardamom berries
• 1 tablespoon of honeydew

Directions

1. Add the cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamom, and 300 mL of water, and boil for 20 minutes;
2. Add the hibiscus and cover;
3. Let it brew for 10 minutes, then strain, sweeten with molasses, and put it in the refrigerator;
4. Meanwhile, whisk the ginger with the lemon juice and water as needed, strain and also refrigerate;
5. When they are chilled, serve in a tall glass with ice cubes. Ginger and lemon juice concentrate first, and top with the hibiscus infusion with spices.

AB-7272 / Shutterstock

Beet soup with hibiscus

Ingredients

• 3 beets
• 1 cooked yam
• 1 onion
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons of hibiscus
• 1/4 cup chopped ginger
• 1/2 finger-of-moça pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 500 ml filtered water
• Parsley and thyme to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a pan, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil;
2. Add yams, beets, ginger, pepper, parsley, and thyme and stir;
3. Boil the water and make the hibiscus tea;
4. Add it to the sauteed vegetables and bring to a boil;
5. Beat everything in a blender and serve hot.

Hibiscus tea

Ingredients

• 1 liter of water
• 3 tablespoons dehydrated hibiscus
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cloves
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Sugar or sweetener

Directions

1. Add the water to the hibiscus, cinnamon, and cloves, put it on the heat, and let it boil for 2 minutes;
2. Off the heat, add the lemon, sweeten to taste, and strain;
3. Serve warm or chilled.

Nutrition table

To include hibiscus in your diet without worry, check out the nutritional table below for hibiscus tea, the most popular way to consume the plant. VD represents the reference daily values, considering a reference diet of 2000kcal or 8400kJ.

Contraindications

However, before you adopt hibiscus into your life, you need to check if it makes sense for you, your body, and your mind.

It is not recommended to take baths or insert it in the diet if there is any type of allergy to the plant. In the case of pregnant women, the recommendation is also to avoid it, since it can bring unexpected complications at a time of many worries.

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On the other hand, if there is no hindrance of any kind, hibiscus may well be seen as an ally in the individual's complete well-being - mental, spiritual, or physical - from several fronts. Still, it is important to consult your doctor, nutritionist, or spiritualist to see if there is no problem in sight.

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