Summer Colours, Red. Hibiscus (Rosa Sinensis)

Red is my favourite colour — I associate it with the joy of life, energy and passion, which makes red part of spectrum especially pleasing to my eye. Hibiscus bears big red flowers for half a year, no wonder it's one of my favourite trees.

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It contains several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Not only is it beautiful, but it also has a lot of beneficial properties.
Dried hibiscus is edible, and is often a delicacy in Mexico, it can also be candied and used as a garnish, in many countries tea is made from hibiscus flowers and is served both hot and cold.
The tea is popular as a natural diuretic; it contains vitamin C and minerals,  a study also shows that consuming hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure.

In the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, the roots are used to make various concoctions believed to cure ailments such as cough, hair loss or hair greying. Ground leaves and flowers with a little water can be used as a shampoo and conditioner.

Hibiscus, Rosa Sinensis flower.
(© 2011 LightColourShade. All rights reserved)

Hibiscus, Rosa Sinensis.
(© 2011 LightColourShade. All rights reserved)