Edible Flowers: The Marvelous Hibiscus 
I grew up in places blessed with magical gardens, an unimaginable rainbow of colors and fragrances that would connect you directly to the heart of mother and father nature.
I have memories of walking in ecstasy through my great grandmother's garden: oh, she had so many plants, flowers and fruit trees! It was heaven to me. Even thou I was just a little girl exploring the world, I remember how good flowers tasted! Yes! My favorite were the miniature white roses and the pink hibiscus. There were some yellow and also white wild berries that were delicious too: sweet and little bitter at the end.
Yesterday I woke up to find some beautiful hibiscus in my garden! Oh, they were so big and colorful! The good thing is that this variety lasts 2-3 days open. Regular hibiscus only stays open one day.
So, facing this kind of beauty I have been seduced to share with you the picture and some information about this wonderful plant. During my last visit to Belize rain forest I found an article about hibiscus in the local -Visitors Guide- from June 30, 2005, page 12. An excerpt of the article follows:
hibiscus, panama, cookingdiva, chef melissa de leon, personal chef, gourmet, food blog, uspca, uspci"Traditional uses: only the red flowered hibiscus is considered of medicinal value. For post partum hemorrhages, the staunching of excessive menstrual flow, and to prevent miscarriage, boil nine leaves with one open and one closed flower in three cups of water for ten minutes; drink warm. A cool bath of leaves and flowers is useful to treat various skin conditions. For headaches and fevers mash leaves and apply to the head. The flowers are edible and rich in iron, they can be eaten to treat painful menstruation."
I love the -bush doctors- culture that prevails in countries like Belize, Mexico and in Central America.I suggest you read the book: "My apprenticeship with a Maya Healer. SASTUN. by Rosita Arvigo with Nadine Epstein". It is a great book, result of the research Rosita Arvigo did in Belize, sponsored by the New York Botanical Garden and the National Cancer Institute. It was an attempt to collect plants in the tropics of the hemisphere to use as a cure for many different health conditions, including cancer and aids.
Hugs, Melissa
Tags: natural remedies, hibiscus, cookingdiva, personal chef
- by Chef Melissa
- September 19, 2005
- 12:33 pm
Links Favoritos
Panama
- La Prensa Web
- Autoridad de Turismo Panamá
- Presidencia de Panamá
- Municipio de Panamá
- ETC Blog Panama
- Panama America
Panama Food Lovers
- ChowTrek - Road Feasts
- Cocinova
- Blog de un Blogger
- Boquete Guide
- Sandy Dientes
- Bollo Preñao
- Anne Walker's Kalu Yala
- La Mesa de Freddo
- Cocinerita - Aristóloga
- VaneValentine Food
Panama Restaurants
Personal Chefs
Latinolicious
Blogs That Cook
Comentarios
-
Paul dice en The Best From the Tropics: Organic & Fairly Traded Chocolate from Panama
Hi Melissa, as a self proclaimed chocholoic, I have a weak …
-
MÓNICA LAZCANO SANTOS dice en La Receta del Dia: Almond-Orange Pound Cake and Uchuva Sauce
UN GUSTO VISITAR TU PAGINA Y ASÍ CONOCER DE LA GASTRONOMÍA …
-
gaby dice en La Receta del Dia: Pastel de zanahoria Melissa, con cubierta de queso crema
Hola! Melissa,megusta tus recetas gracias por compartirlas
Quisiera saber la …
Archives
Recetas Deliciosas
- Huevo montao a caballo, pero de lujo!
- Cenas rápidas y fabulosas: Pollo con Salami y Aceitunas
- La Receta del Dia: Salsa de Tamarindo para Pescados y Aves
- La Receta del Dia: Souffle de Datiles con Salsa de Vainilla
- Pollo y Tofu en Leche de Coco
- La Receta del Dia: Cornish Hens with Strawberry Glaze
- Luscious Thai Curry Chocolate Truffles & Tamales Panamanian Style
- La Receta del Dia: Papaya Nieve
- La Receta del Dia: Ensaladilla de Pixbae con Guayaba
- Cooking with Cape Gooseberry (Uchuva) and Passion Fruit (Maracuya)
Comments
09.25.05 at 09:01 AM |
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for visiting my site the other day. I thought you might enjoy taking a look at this (http://www.shinkai-wakuwaku.co.jp/sinnsousui/sinnsousui-haibisukasu.htm). This is a health drink (or “beauty-support” drink?) now sold in Japan, named “Hibiscus Collagen C.” They seem to have thrown in just anything that is said to be good for your skin: hibiscus, citrus, lemongrass, acerola and rose hip extract, fish collagen, honey, VC, oligosaccharide, dietary fiber and deep-sea water! Wow! The medical value of your favorite flower, hibiscus is well known here in Japan, too. (But I do think this drink is a bit too expensive…it’s about US$3.00 for a 500 ml pet bottle.)
01.14.07 at 02:01 PM |
Hello do you know where the largest patch of Saril in Panama is located?
Thanks
Michael O Sigler M.D.
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
507-647-48854
01.14.07 at 02:05 PM |
Hola there! At this time of the year you will be able to find Saril at almost every market and supermarket of the country. If you are looking for the place where they grow it, I suggest you talk to the people at the markets to see where they get theirs from.
Good luck!
M
07.02.07 at 11:38 AM |
thanks for this information hibiscus drink i want to try this drink its good for health and any kind of alcoholic things in it just write more about it how useful this drink
08.31.07 at 07:20 AM |
Very nice post. I liked your writing style and the way you covered the topic.
Share Your Comment