Hibiscus Flower 400mg | 60 Capsules | Swanson

Swanson Hibiscus Flower

The hibiscus is a tropical plant with large, brightly coloured flowers that forms the basis for tea and refreshing drinks in many countries. Swanson's Hibiscus brings the dried flower together in a capsule: 400mg each, of the Hibiscus sabdariffa species. A practical form for those who want to supplement this flower without having to brew tea themselves every time.

What hibiscus flower is

The hibiscus used for tea is usually Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as roselle. What you find in the capsule are the dried calyxes of the flower, the part that remains around the seed after flowering. These calyxes have a deep red colour, originating from natural plant pigments called anthocyanins, and a distinct tangy, sour taste. Drinks are made from it all over the world: from agua de jamaica in Mexico to karkade in Egypt and bissap in West Africa. In a capsule, you get the same dried flower, but in a fixed amount of 400mg. The hibiscus plant belongs to the mallow family, the same group to which the cotton plant and okra also belong. The plant is cultivated on a large scale, especially in tropical and subtropical regions, where the calyxes are harvested after flowering and dried in the sun until they acquire their characteristic dark red colour.

Whole herb instead of extract

This product contains the whole dried and ground flower, not a concentrated extract of a single substance. The difference is this: with a whole herb, the composition remains close to the plant as it also ends up in the teapot, while an extract amplifies a specific component. Those who want to supplement the flower in a way that aligns with traditional use often choose the whole flower. The 400mg on the label therefore refers to the amount of dried hibiscus flower in each capsule, and not to an amplified single component thereof.

From flower to capsule

To produce this product, the hibiscus flower is harvested, dried, and finely ground, after which the powder goes into a capsule with only microcrystalline cellulose as a filler and an anti-caking agent. The capsule itself is made of gelatin, so this jar is not vegetarian. A practical reason to choose capsules is the taste: hibiscus tea is quite sour by nature, and not everyone finds that pleasant. With a capsule, you skip the brewing and the sharp taste, while still maintaining a fixed dose per time. The vibrant colour that the flower gives to tea is preserved in the powder, although you see little of it in a closed capsule. What matters is that the dried flower is present in every capsule in the same amount, regardless of the harvest or the season.

How to take hibiscus

A question that often comes up: how much hibiscus should you take per day? Swanson recommends one capsule per day with water. With 60 capsules per jar, you have about two months' supply. This product is not intended for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In summary: hibiscus flower is a well-known plant from teacups worldwide, here as a whole herb in a capsule with 400mg dried flower per piece.