Hibiscus flos

Hibisci flos are the officinal (DAB9) hibiscus flowers (no recommendation from Commission E). The drug consists of the whole or cut fleshy inner and outer calyxes of the flower harvested during the fruiting season. PhEur requires a minimum acid content.

HMPC: Not processed

ESCOP: Not edited

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

Folklorically, hibiscus flowers are 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 soft drinks or as an ingredient in fruit or herbal teas. In tea blends they are included as an ornamental drug and also give a tea infusion a better taste and a reddish color.

Naturopathy: Hibiscus sabdariffa is the parent plant of Hibisci flos, the officinal (DAB9) hibiscus flowers (no recommendation from Commission E).

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

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