Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Oil  Oil  Root  Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee  Condiment  Drink  Oil  Oil  Pectin  Tea

The fresh calyx (the outer whorl of the flower) is eaten raw in salads, is cooked and used as a flavouring in cakes etc and is also used in making jellies, soups, sauces, pickles, puddings etc[74, 171, 183, 269]. The calyx is rich in citric acid and pectin and so is useful for making jams, jellies etc[240, 269]. It is also used to add a red colour and to flavour to herb teas[238, 269], and can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute[183]. A refreshing and very popular beverage can be made by boiling the calyx, sweetening it with sugar and adding ginger[183]. Tender young leaves and stems - raw or cooked[177, 269, 272]. Used in salads, as a potherb and as a seasoning in curries, they have an acid, rhubarb-like flavour[183, 238, 269]. Seed - roasted and ground into a powder then used in oily soups and sauces[177, 183]. The roasted seeds have been used as a coffee substitute that is said to have aphrodisiac properties[269]. Root - it is edible but very fibrousy[144]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[144]. The seed yields 20% oil[74]. (This is probably edible[K]).

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibilious  Antiscorbutic  Antiseptic  Aphrodisiac  Appetizer  Aromatic  Astringent  Cholagogue  
Demulcent  Digestive  Diuretic  Emollient  Febrifuge  Hypotensive  Poultice  
Purgative  Refrigerant  Resolvent  Sedative  Stomachic  Tonic

Roselle is an aromatic, astringent, cooling herb that is much used in the Tropics. It is said to have diuretic effects, to help lower fevers and is antiscorbutic[74, 238]. The leaves are antiscorbutic, emollient, diuretic, refrigerant, and sedative[269]. The leaves are very mucilaginous and are used as an emollient and as a soothing cough remedy. They are used externally as a poultice on abscesses[269]. The fruits are antiscorbutic[269]. The flowers contain gossypetin, anthocyanin, and the glycoside hibiscin[269]. These may have diuretic and choleretic effects, decreasing the viscosity of the blood, reducing blood pressure and stimulating intestinal peristalsis[269]. The leaves and flowers are used internally as a tonic tea for digestive and kidney functions[74, 238]. Experimentally, an infusion decreases the viscosity of the blood, reduces blood pressure and stimulates intestinal peristalsis[240]. The ripe calyces are diuretic and antiscorbutic[269]. The succulent calyx, boiled in water, is used as a drink in the treatment of bilious attacks[269]. The seeds are diuretic, laxative and tonic[269]. They are used in the treatment of debility[269]. The bitter root is aperitif and tonic[269]. The plant is also reported to be antiseptic, aphrodisiac, astringent, cholagogue, demulcent, digestive, purgative and resolvent[269]. It is used as a folk remedy in the treatment of abscesses, bilious conditions, cancer, cough, debility, dyspepsia, dysuria, fever, hangover, heart ailments, hypertension, neurosis, scurvy, and strangury[269]. One report says that the plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and as an intestinal antiseptic, though it does not say which part of the plant is used[269]. Simulated ingestion of the plant extract decreased the rate of absorption of alcohol, lessening the intensity of alcohol effects in chickens[269].

Dye  Fibre  Oil  Oil  Pectin  String

A strong fibre obtained from the stem (called rosella hemp) is used for various household purposes including making sackcloth, twine and cord[74, 171, 238, 272]. A yellow dye is obtained from the petals[240]. It is used in medicines etc[74]. The seed yields 20% oil[74].

Special Uses

Food Forest