Hibiscus belongs to the Malvaceae family and it is an evergreen plant which is used as a hedge or as a single plant both outdoors in full soil, and indoors in pots. If cultivated indoors, it should be placed in a very well lighted place.

It resists well to adverse weather conditions but needs to be fertilized often.

It blooms between spring and summer.

From the species Hibiscus syriacus have been isolated some interesting components for human health, including: vitexin, isovitexin, quercetin, kaempferol and rutin (1) and also molecules such as phytosterols, phenolic compounds and flavonoids all with antioxidant properties and with the ability to improve the glycemic profile (2). Another interesting application concerns the ability of Hibiscus extract to treat anal fissure (3)

The preventive action of Hibiscus okra ethanolic extract against liver damage was evaluated in rodents in this complex study, which found significant dose-dependent hepatoprotection. The hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the extract were comparable to standard silymarin. These findings were supported by histological evaluation of liver biopsy. The ability of okra extract to protect against chemically induced liver damage may be attributed to its potent antioxidant property (4).

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Wei Q, Ji XY, Xu F, Li QR, Yin H. Chemical Constituents from Leaves of Hibiscus syriacus and Their α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities. Zhong Yao Cai. 2015 May;38(5):975-9. 

 (2) Akbari F, Shahinfard N, Mirhoseini M, Shirzad H, Heidarian E, Hajian S, Rafieian-Kopaei M. Impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats. J Nephropharmacol. 2015 May 19;5(2):80-85.

(3) Martellucci J, Rossi G, Corsale I, Carrieri P, D'Elia M, Giani I. Myoxinol ointment for the treatment of acute fissure. Updates Surg. 2017 Dec;69(4):499-503. doi: 10.1007/s13304-017-0450-z. 

(4) Alqasoumi SI. 'Okra' Hibiscus esculentus L.: A study of its hepatoprotective activity. Saudi Pharm J. 2012 Apr;20(2):135-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2011.10.002.