Hibiscus
Useful properties and uses of garden hibiscus
Description of hibiscus
Hibiscus is a very beautiful shrub that grows in various tropical areas. Today it is often cultivated as an ornamental plant. It can often be found in Egypt, Thailand, Ceylon and Java, as well as Sudan and China. This evergreen deciduous plant has a bare stem. Alternate leaves are located on petioles. Graceful flowers are rather large. Their brightly colored corollas, located in the upper part of the shoot, have three leaves each in the pads.
The color scheme of hibiscus has a huge number of different combinations. Different types of hibiscus are represented by interesting flowers from 5 to 30 cm in diameter. The hibiscus fruit is in the form of a small capsule that splits into five original leaves. The box contains seeds covered with fibers or a special fluff. Some plant varieties have bare seeds.
The life span of a hibiscus is at least 20 years. It lends itself well to forming. To increase the branching of the shrub, all stems should be cut at the end of winter. Under favorable conditions and with proper care, the plant will grow to three meters in height.
Useful properties of hibiscus
The active ingredients of hibiscus are various organic acids, flavonoids, hibiscus acid, anthocyanins, mucus, phytosterols and pectins. The branches of the plant have a sour taste. The drink made from this shrub is considered an excellent refreshing agent that perfectly quenches thirst. This healthy red drink has a mild laxative effect on the human body. In ancient times, teas from the plant were used as a bactericidal, anticonvulsant, choleretic and diuretic.
Along with this, properties such as anti-inflammatory and hemostatic should be noted. Hibiscus is indispensable for the treatment of weeping ulcers.
Hibiscus tea
Delightful hibiscus tea is incredibly healthy for any age group. The substances contained in the flowers of the plant cause an interesting red coloration. Anthocyanins have amazing P-vitamin activity, due to which the drink perfectly strengthens the walls of blood vessels, while regulating blood pressure and vascular permeability. When hot, this incomparable tea raises blood pressure, and when cold, lowers it. In addition, the presented drink boasts a powerful antispasmodic effect.
Due to its unique composition, tea based on hibiscus flowers not only improves overall well-being, but also raises immunity. The action of anthocyanins enhances quercetin. It helps cleanse the body of all kinds of toxins, allowing a person to get rid of unnecessary metabolic products. With regular consumption of tea, the production of bile is stimulated, and the necessary protection of the liver from external and internal adverse effects increases. This significantly improves metabolism.
A hibiscus drink is capable of destroying numerous pathogens, while simultaneously fighting various parasites. The pleasant sour taste of hibiscus tea has a refreshing effect in the heat. At elevated body temperature, it contributes to its normalization. Since the tea does not contain oxalic acid, it is considered safe for all kidney patients.
A small amount of ascorbic acid is mutually reinforced by the presence of anthocyanins and flavonoids. It can be noted that with rather prolonged heating, hibiscus tea can acquire a dirty gray tint due to the decomposition of dyes. An undoubted additional advantage of the drink is a slight sedative effect. To prepare this wonderful drink, you will need no more than 2 tbsp for 400 ml of boiling water. l. raw materials.
Application of hibiscus
From the earliest times, the beneficial medicinal properties of hibiscus have been discovered. It is used to effectively treat not only various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, but also used for hemorrhoids, dysentery and acute inflammation of the skin. Various remedies based on this plant perfectly restore metabolism, since they contain a large amount of flavonoids. They contribute to the elimination of harmful impurities from the body formed during the digestion of food.
Hibiscus leaves and flowers are indicated to increase the production of bile, improve metabolism and to increase the liver's protection against harmful effects of various kinds. The plant's beautiful flowers are primarily used as a powerful anti-inflammatory and bactericidal agent. Delicious aromatic teas also have a choleretic and hemostatic effect on the human body. The benefits of leaves crushed to a homogeneous mass have been proven in the treatment of all kinds of malignant tumors.
To get rid of ulcers, extensive wounds and boils, it is recommended to apply externally pounded hibiscus flowers. Drinking tea inside allows you to normalize blood pressure, restore the nervous system and cleanse the kidneys from salts. It has been proven that with alcohol intoxication, such a drink allows you to quickly find good health. Long-term use of various drugs helps men and women fight infertility.
As a preventive measure, various hibiscus-based drinks are prescribed during the period of mass epidemics. Along with this, they lower blood cholesterol levels and perfectly strengthen the walls of all blood vessels.
Hibiscus during pregnancy
Despite the high content of various vitamins, drinking hibiscus tea during pregnancy can be very unsafe. It significantly increases the risk of various complications. The active ingredients of the plant stimulate menstruation, which tones the uterus. Expectant mothers should avoid it.
Planting and caring for hibiscus
For planting this plant, you should choose a sufficiently sunny place that is protected from the wind. The landing hole should not be more than 15 liters in volume. It should first be filled with humus, superphosphate and a handful of bone meal. The selected vegetative seedling is placed in a hole along with a root ball of earth.
Hibiscus prefers diffused sunlight without direct rays. Subject to temperature conditions and regular ventilation, it can grow well in a pot on the south side of the house. No shading is required in winter. The plant does not like drafts. At temperatures below 10 ° C heat, it can shed all the leaves. During the growing season and in the presence of flowering, it is recommended to water it abundantly with settled water, making sure that the topsoil is not overdried.
Air humidity does not play a special role when growing hibiscus. However, experienced gardeners advise spraying the plant. This procedure is also a preventive measure against the harmful spider mite. In spring and summer, the plant can be fed with nitrogen-containing mineral fertilizers. If necessary, you can transplant the bushes at the end of April. However, such a procedure should not be more than once every three years.
What makes hibiscus turn yellow? Often the leaves of a plant turn yellow due to stresses of various origins. The main reasons include insufficient or abundant watering, high or low temperatures, and direct sunlight. Dense shade and spider mites can be some of the factors in the yellowing of foliage.
Hibiscus flowers
Large flowers in most species of the presented plant have a rather graceful shape. Their brightly colored corollas, located on the top of the shoots, attract attention at first glance. The charming single flowers can reach about 10 cm in diameter.
The numerous filaments of the original golden stamens, which have grown into a long tube, extend very far from the petals. The delicate petals can vary in color from white to purple. Each flower withers one day after blooming. The abundance of buds makes flowering quite long.
Hibiscus leaves
The alternate leaves of hibiscus are on small petioles. They are often used in traditional medicine not only as a mild laxative, but also have a soothing effect on coughs.
Reproduction and cultivation of hibiscus
Plant propagation is carried out by cuttings and seeds. For plant propagation by cuttings, they must be cut in the summer from the tops of the youngest growth. After treatment with growth stimulants, the cuttings should be rooted in indoor greenhouses, where the soil is heated. You can pinch smaller shoots to form a beautiful bush.
The cultivation features are based on stimulating the development of numerous shoots formed by flowers. After transplanting, it is recommended to prune young plants to the very bud at a distance of about 15 cm from the very base. After the formation of new shoots, weak ones must be removed.
Hibiscus from seed
Seeds can be sown in the ground from mid-January to early April. It is recommended to soak them for 12 hours before planting. The land should be composed of a mixture of sand and peat. Keeping the temperature between 25 and 27 ° C will allow the seeds to sprout quickly. Periodically, they should be ventilated and sprayed. After the formation of three leaves, the hibiscus can be transplanted into a pot of the appropriate size. Fruiting of seedlings will begin in the third or fourth year of life.
Garden hibiscus
Garden hibiscus is very popular with many gardeners. This fantastic plant has a wide range of interesting hues. The golden stamens give a special charm to the funnel-shaped flowers. Possessing sufficient frost resistance, this species is adapted for growing in the open air. Depending on your preferences, you can form an interesting bush shape. Flowering occurs from early July to early October.
Hibiscus home
The incomparable indoor hibiscus is unpretentious in care. He prefers brightly lit places, regular watering. He also needs protection from drafts. The beautiful flowers are intended not only for daily contemplation, but also for medicinal use. Thanks to proper care, homemade hibiscus feels great in pots on windowsills and in spacious light greenhouses.
Varieties and types of hibiscus
Various varieties and types of hibiscus read about two hundred copies. Interesting hybrid forms are found not only in regions of China and Indonesia, but also in the greenhouses of modern gardeners.
Terry hibiscus. This species is an interesting perennial with a height of no more than two meters. It has large, milky white flowers that reach a diameter of 15 cm. This beautiful evergreen shrub has bright green toothed leaves. Each blooming flower withers the next day. To ensure abundant flowering, the plant requires abundant watering, good illumination and a certain temperature.
Marsh hibiscus. This common species has large flowers about 12 cm wide. Each flower is decorated with unusual carmine spots at the base of the corolla. This variety is used by many gardeners to create large shrubs used as hedges. Such an attractive plant requires a lot of light, warmth and adequate space to grow properly. With proper watering and regular pruning, swamp hibiscus can bloom all year round.
The hibiscus is white. This excellent plant of the Malvaceae family grows mainly in the tropical regions of exotic Southeast Asia. This plant is distinguished by large dazzling white flowers. Delicate flower leaves are framed with an amazing border around the edge. Such a long-blooming perennial is well cultivated in many warm regions. This variety is not very demanding for the composition of soils. However, regular drainage should not be forgotten.
Variegated hibiscus. This modern look of Cooper combines shades of reds and whites. The predominance of certain shades in the petals of flowers directly depends on the acidity of the soil, the temperature of the content and the degree of illumination. This spectacular plant has large flowers with a long pistil. During the period of active growth of variegated hibiscus, it is recommended to regularly feed. The pot must match the size of the plant itself.
Hibiscus red. Such an evergreen plant is found not only on the most beautiful islands of the Pacific Ocean, but also perfectly decorates your garden. This variety is a very large shrub with large flowers. A lush crown with spreading branches makes it especially charming. Red hibiscus propagates well by cuttings.
Chinese hibiscus. It is a graceful evergreen shrub with alternate leaves, 15 cm long. Single axillary flowers are on long pedicels. The filaments are spliced into a tube. This variety blooms all year round.
Syrian hibiscus belongs to small shrubs. It grows in open ground only in the southernmost regions. This deciduous plant has ovoid, alternate leaves and delightful exotic flowers. They can be either simple or terry. Many flower stalks make it bloom throughout the year.
Treelike hibiscus. Thanks to its large, brightly colored flowers, this variety is loved by many modern gardeners. It is used to decorate front gardens as a hedge. The diameter of graceful flowers does not exceed 10 cm. For full flowering, fertile land and regular abundant watering are required.
Contraindications for hibiscus
Since hibiscus has a pronounced choleretic effect, it is not recommended for people with serious problems with the gallbladder and with urolithiasis. It is contraindicated for children under one year old. With gastritis and ulcers, the appointment of various drugs is possible only after consulting a doctor.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
