Heart-Centered Elixir Recipe
Our summer temperatures arrived so early this year that I was pulling buds off my hibiscus transplants in early June (they normally don’t flower until October here) so the plants would grow taller before trying to put out more flowers. I love hibiscus flowers. The calyx left behind after the petals fall can be dried and used to add a delightfully tangy note to tea and they turn the water this beautifully vibrant shade of red. They are also really fun to grow so I like having them in the garden.
One of the hibiscus recipes I have been making lately is a heart-centered elixir that combines this tasty herb with two other heart-supportive herbs - hawthorn and rose.
Ingredients
1 part hibiscus infusion, brewed for 10 minutes
2 parts hawthorn tincture
1 part rose petal-infused honey
Brew your hibiscus tea (I like to make mine double-strength), then combine it with the hawthorn tincture and rose petal-infused honey in the proportions listed above.
Shake well once bottled, and store in the refrigerator. This blend needs to be 25-30% alcohol to be properly preserved, so if you are using a homemade tincture, make sure it was made with at least 100-proof alcohol.
About the Herbs
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is related to marshmallow, linden, and okra. It is very easy to grow, makes pretty little okra-flower like blooms, and is sometimes called roselle. It is a common ingredient in teas like 'Red Zinger' and Traditional Medicinals' 'Hawthorn & Hibiscus.' Hibiscus is rich in bioflavonoids, vitamin C and is known for its cardio-supportive effects. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is famous for its effects on the cardiovascular system. It has long been one of my most favorite herbs. Roses support the energetic or emotional heart and are also a source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids.
Combined, these three ingredients make an herbal remedy that is not only tasty, but nutritious and supportive for the cardiovascular system and our emotional being. I love working with it. If you decide to make a batch of your own, post a picture on social media with the hashtag #floranellarecipe so I can find it. =) I hope you enjoy it!
Much love,
Erin
About the Author
Hi there, I’m Erin! I am the main instructor here at Floranella. I am a clinical herbalist, aromatherapist, artisan distiller and organic gardener based in the Pacific Northwest. Here at Floranella, I teach people how to work with plants safely and effectively from the garden to the apothecary. Thanks for being here! I’m glad you stopped by.
