Healing with Hibiscus

This is a Hibiscus flower, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, of the Malvaceae or Mallow family, one of an abundance growing near my parents' home in Penang, Malaysia, where it is loved as the national flower.

Its five petals represent the five Malaysian principles, and the red colour symbolising courage. They remind me of the billowing, twirling, flamenco dancer's skirt, with the red hot colour of passion to match.

Hibiscus grows widely in tropical and warm temperate countries all over the world. So different to the wild flowers I have growing around my home in Edinburgh, these are not only gorgeously beautiful but also edible. The flower is used as a garnish and ingredient in many Pacific Islanders' salads and cocktails.

I used to pick these as a child and suck the nectar out from where the flower meets the stem, honey sweet, in the same way I show folk to do with white deadnettle flowers in Scotland, although hibiscus nectar is sweeter.

If you find these growing plentifully near you, pick and collect them to dry or use fresh, foraging with consideration for the environment, aiming for less than 10% per plant to ensure plenty left for the plant to thrive and wildlife. To dry, hang them upside down in a dry shady place for a few days (depends on humidity) when crisp to touch, store in airtight container in cool, dark place.

It makes a lovely uplifting iced tea with honey when in hot countries or on a hot summer's day, with its tart taste and vibrant red colour. As a student, I used to work in a Sudanese cafe called The Nile Valley who serve hibiscus tea hot or cold, called Karkaday. It's a popular refreshment in North African countries.

As a healing herbal remedy, the leaf, flower and bud is used traditionally in many Asian, Ayurvedic and Chinese Traditional Medicine formulations. This flower is rich in Vitamin C with its well known benefits on boosting immunity, skin health and organ repair. 

Its astringent properties are helpful for women's health, excessive menstruation, some gynaecological issues and menopausal symptoms, such as sweats and flushing. 

Hibiscus has been shown to have high antioxidant value, benefits on reducing high cholesterol, supporting the liver and cardiovascular systems, and even anti-depressant properties in research studies. 

The leaves and flowers infused in oil, rich in hyaluronic and linoleic acids, are used as a nourishing hair and scalp tonic, particularly with coconut oil in Ayurvedic herbal practice.

When I make up herbal blends for my Herbal Medicine and AstroTarot clients, I consider not just the nutrient properties and therapeutic actions, but also the effect of the colour and taste on the mind and more subtle body. 

Red is indicated where a root chakra imbalance and related emotional issues are manifesting, such as lack of grounding or security, feeling unstable, lacking firm roots, a sense of fear and anxiety due to lack of safety.

Hibiscus flowers are offered regularly in the spiritual practices of India and Hindu communities, particularly sacred to Lord Ganesh, the elephant headed deity, remover of obstacles, as his favourite flower.

There are also surprising practical uses of Hibiscus. Nicknamed Shoe Flower, its petals have a moist texture that are used by some to shine their shoes.

To me, simply gazing at a hibiscus flower, or the instant exotic glamour of wearing one tucked behind the ear, is a magnificent to uplift the spirits. 

Do you have any hibiscus tips, stories or memories to share? I'd love to hear them in the comments below :)

Hibiscus blessings,

Fiona Morris 

Medical Herbalist, 

Massage Therapist 

& AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

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How to Make Your Own Vibrant Energy Booster Bars & Balls

It's been a while since my last blog post... 

Today I had a request to share a recipe to replace shop bought breakfast and cereal bars from a participant on one of my Superhero Snacks Workshops.

So with spring around the corner here in the UK and to get back into the swing of things, I thought it was about time to resurface after a long winter hibernation and present you flourishing folk with an adaptation of one of the Superhero recipes that we sampled.  

This recipe is designed to be customised to include your own favourite snack ingredients. I hope it will inspire you to try out one or two energising ingredients that may be new to you. 

They are so simple and easy to make and a wonderfully healthy, sustaining alternative to crisps and chocolate that boost and balance your blood sugar!

Enjoy the satisfaction of making your own tasty homemade snacks, adding in your favourite superfoods to pack an extra nutritional punch.

Such as...

Baobab - The fruit of the African ‘upside down’ tree is nutrient-rich, with as much calcium as a glass of milk and six times more vitamin C than an orange. Great booster for the whole family!

Hemp Seeds - Easily digested, slow release of energy to keep you going longer, and a rich source of nutritious Omega oil essential fatty acids, protein and amino acids. 

Ingredients:

Ground Nuts (Almond is delicious... try ground dessicated coconut for nut-free version) 50% (eg. 50g)

Ground Hemp Seeds 50% (eg. 50g)

Omega Oils, 2-3 tbsp per 100g nuts and seeds 

Your choice of Superfood powder, 3 tbsp per 100g nuts and seeds:

Boabab, Astragalus, Ashwaganda, Chia, Maca, Rhodiola, Spirulina, Raw Cacao, etc.

Your choice of binders: 

Nut Butter, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, for 'sweet tooths': Honey, Maple Syrup, finely chopped or blended soaked fresh Dates (enough to add and mix in gradually till all binds together but not too wet/sticky, amounts vary depending on the ingredients you're using, add more dry ingredients if gets too moist)

Your choice of garnish: 

Goji Berries, Cinnamon, Cacao Powder, Dessicated Coconut or finely Chopped Nuts, to coat or cover

Last, but most importantly... Love!

Equipment:

Blender, Food Processor, or Pestle and Mortar 

Mixing Bowl, Saucers, Spoons

Directions:

Grind up seeds and nuts with blender, processor or pestle and mortar (short-cut tip or if no blender: buy pre-ground, more convenient, but less fresh and vital - think coffee beans).

Add superfoods and omega oils to ground nuts and seeds. 

Mix well into a paste by gradually adding and stirring in binders of choice to mix thoroughly.

For Vibrant Energy Balls: 

Pinch off small amounts and roll into small balls.

Pour garnish of choice in a saucer and coat balls by gently rolling until covered.

Enjoy 2-3 balls to boost energy throughout the day and keep in fridge 2-3 days, or freeze to defrost and eat within month.

For Vibrant Energy Bars: 

Cover a baking tin with cling film, or alternatively, grease a silicon baking tray with coconut oil. 

Press down the mixture evenly into container to desired thickness. (Apply bit of coconut oil to finger tips to prevent mixture from sticking.)

Put mixture in fridge to set for at least half an hour.

Remove from container and/or film and cut into snack bar slices, sprinkling on and gently pressing in garnish of choice or dusting with cacao or cinnamon powder.

Enjoy 1-2 bars to boost energy through out the day and keep in fridge 2-3 days, or freeze to defrost and eat within month.

Bonus Tips:

Go for organic ingredients to ensure ultimate snack vibrancy. The extra cost is worth it to truly love your self, others and our planet!

For variety, substitute ground hemp seeds with other ground seeds you may have in your kitchen cupboard, such as psyllium, flaxseeds, chia, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, etc.

For texture, try garnishing or mixing in: dessicated coconut, sprinkling and pressing in fine or rough chopped nuts, pure cacao nibs, seed mixes, a dried mulberry or a whole nut in the centre of ball.


Adding coconut oil is particularly good for solidifying bars in cooler climates, place jar in shallow bowl of hot (not boiling) water for a while to liquify before adding to mixture. 

To create more solid bars in warmer climate, add minimum of 'wet' ingredients or extra 'dry' ingredients to ensure a firmer bar and keep in fridge for a while before slicing.

Please do give them a go and let me know how you get on. 

I'm always on the look out for new snack inspirations, so I'd appreciate your comments below of any winning combinations that you come up with. I'd love to hear from you about the favourite superfoods you love to use and why. 

I was delighted that the Superhero Snack series I ran at Neal's Yard Remedies Edinburgh recently was so popular, so I'll be running a part 2 later this year, and repeating part 1 for those who missed it.

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Enjoy impressing your friends and family with these delightful treats, and the added bonus of a sustaining boost throughout your day!

With love & vibrant energy,