Hibiscus Flowers - 28g

Hibiscus Flowers - 28g

These large, colourful flowers are perfect for your next gin variation. Hibiscus is very popular among gin makers, mainly due to its more robust flavouring than other floral botanicals. Flavours are often described as berry-like, such as pomegranate or cranberry.

Hibiscus has a long history as a medicinal botanical and one that continues today. Not only does this flower look good, but it can also do well. Egyptians drank tea containing hibiscus to lower the body's temperature, as a diuretic, and to treat diseases of the heart and nerves. In Africa, tea was also a popular remedy, this time being used to treat constipation, colds and liver disease.

Hibiscus’ health-giving properties

Some of the flower’s key active ingredients are polyphenols and antioxidants, which have an important role to play in human health. To harness the benefits, the part of the hibiscus plant known as the calyx is used to make tea – the species Hibiscus Sabdariffa is most commonly used for this purpose. The resulting brew tastes tart, so it’s best blended with honey or lime juice to make it more palatable.

One of its most productive uses is lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Experts believe that this action occurs for several reasons. Firstly, it has a diuretic effect; secondly, it helps to open up the arteries; and finally, it acts as a natural ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. This means it helps slow down the release of hormones responsible for constricting blood vessels.