Hibiscus is cultivated across much of Africa, making it one of the continent’s most versatile crops. For most people, the plant is for brewing a calming tea that also offers a bevy of health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and reducing cholesterol. However, hibiscus is much more than that. The plant has different varieties, with each best suited for a particular purpose. While the most common variety is used for beverages, there are also varieties used to make native soups, cosmetics, fragrance, and dyes. For Jesudara Hinmikaiye, a resident of Lagos, Nigeria, who has dedicated her life to exploring the different possibilities that this wonderful plant offers, hibiscus is best described as an ecosystem.
DW