As I wandered around Auroville, I saw large quantities of Hibiscus flowers growing outside many houses, but when I asked people, “are you making juice with them?” I learned that they weren’t. And it was obvious too, because the Hibiscus flowers were all still on the plant!

Hibiscus juice is so tasty though! Put the flowers in a saucepan of boiling water, turn off the heat, and let it steep for five minutes until the water turns into a very deep red colour. Add a little lemon juice, and the brew will turn pink. Sweeten if desired, and enjoy either hot or cold. You can also add Hibiscus petals to a salad.

Traditionally the leaves and petals are used in hair-wash preparations, and for making superb conditioners that leave your hair feeling soft and glossy!

Hibiscus is very good for your heart (not for love failure! For the physical heart). It is commonly used as a remedy to balance the blood pressure as well.

The crucial point though, is that Hibiscus is growing everywhere, and yet most of us don’t take the time to use it. Maybe it’s a symptom of our busy lives that we don’t value slowing down enough to make time for things like picking flowers and making our own fresh juices. Nevertheless, doing so can enrich our life, lift our mood, nourish our body and help move us away from the juggernaut of industrialization, if in ever so slight steps at all.