Hibiscus flos

Hibisci flos are the officinal(DAB9) Hibiscus flowers (not recommended by Commission E). The drug consists of the whole or cut, fleshy inner and outer calyxes of the flower, harvested during the fruiting season. The PhEur (European Pharmacopoeia) requires a minimum content of acids.

HMPC: Not processed

ESCOP: Not processed

Commission E: Negative monograph in the absence of efficacy studies. Can be considered a null monograph as no risks are known.

Hibiscus flowers are popularly used in the form of "health teas" as a mild laxative, also for mild colds and catarrh. They are also used to prepare caffeine-free refreshing drinks or as an ingredient in fruit or herbal teas. They are included in tea blends as a decorative drug and also give a tea infusion a better taste and a reddish color.

Naturopathy: Hibiscus sabdariffa is the parent plant of Hibiscus flos, the officinal (DAB9) Hibiscus flowers (not recommended by Commission E).

Cosmetics: Hibiscus sabdariffa extract (INCI) is the mallow flower extract used in cosmetic formulations.

15-30% plant acids (ascorbic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid), up to 28% hibiscus acid (lactone of hydroxycitric acid), oxalic acid, procatechuic acid, 1-2% anthocyanins such as hibiscin (red dye) and flavonoids such as hibiscetin and gossypetin as yellow dyes as well as pectins.

Aromatic, mild laxative. As an aromatic, Hibiscus flos is used in soft drinks and various other beverages. tea mixtures.

1. Burger A et al. (1993) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary 7th edition Walter de Gruyter Berlin-New York p. 679.
2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/hibiscus.php