Episode 237: Hibiscus: A Surprising Respiratory Herb with Rebecca Fils-Aimé

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Episode Summary

Hibiscus is tart, cooling, beautiful—and so much more than just a refreshing summer drink.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) may be best known as the star ingredient in the tart, ruby-red beverage called jamaica or sorrel, but there is so much more to this beautiful plant! In this episode, Rebecca Fils-Aimé takes us beyond the familiar drink to explore hibiscus as food, medicine, and cultural tradition. Drawing on her Haitian heritage as well as her own herbal studies, Rebecca shares why she loves hibiscus for its cooling, soothing, mucilaginous qualities, how she works with it for cardiovascular and respiratory support, and so many ways to work with the flowers (well, the calyxes to be exact!) and leaves in both the kitchen and the apothecary.

Rebecca also shares her recipe for Sorrel Cough Syrup, a simple combination of hibiscus and warming Caribbean spices designed to soothe that irritating, dry cough. (Or if you don’t have a cough, just add it to sparkling water for a tasty, refreshing treat!) You can download your beautifully illustrated copy from the section below.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► Why hibiscus is particularly beneficial for dry, irritated respiratory tissues

► Several ways to weave hibiscus into your diet—both sweet and savory!

► What makes hibiscus so supportive for the heart and cardiovascular system

► How this gorgeous flower became such an integral part of Caribbean culture

► Surprising ways to include hibiscus in your beauty routine 

► …and so many more ways to work with hibiscus beyond just a pretty pink drink!

For those of you who don’t know her, Rebecca Fils-Aimè is a community herbalist, public health practitioner, and health and wellness coach whose practice lies at the intersection of food, kitchen remedies for health, and Black culinary herbalism history. Through her herbalism practice and research, she shares traditions from Black and Indigenous Caribbean people to highlight their contributions to herbalism and food history. Her practice is also guided by the seasons, her Haitian culture, and her Southeastern upbringing. She has a passion for educating communities about herbs as preventative medicine, herbs as self-care, and herbs in food as an accessible way to engage in herbalism.

Hibiscus is one of those plants that reminds us that food and medicine don’t have to be separate. Sometimes the most nourishing herbal allies are the ones we already know and love—and sometimes, they’re hiding in a tall glass of ruby-red refreshment, so perfect on a hot summer day.

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect with Rebecca:

• Website | TheHerbalDiaries.com
• Instagram | @itsbecca_j

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:09] Intro to Rebecca Fils-Aimé + Rebecca’s plant path
• [14:31] The cooling and mucilaginous qualities of hibiscus
• [20:48] Hibiscus for the respiratory system + Sorrel Cough Syrup recipe
• [25:44] Culinary applications for hibiscus
• [29:44] The importance of hibiscus in Caribbean culture
• [31:30] Hibiscus for the heart, blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes
• [38:26] Rebecca’s current herbal projects
• [44:04] How working with herbs has changed the way Rebecca sees the world
• [49:49] Student spotlight
• [50:43] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe Download!

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 00:37 - Intro to Rebecca Fils-Aimé + Rebecca’s plant path
• 14:02 - The cooling and mucilaginous qualities of hibiscus
• 20:21 - Hibiscus for the respiratory system + Sorrel Cough Syrup recipe
• 25:15 - Culinary applications for hibiscus
• 29:16 - The importance of hibiscus in Caribbean culture
• 31:02 - Hibiscus for the heart, blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes
• 37:58 - Rebecca’s current herbal projects
• 43:35 - How working with herbs has changed the way Rebecca sees the world
• 49:21 - Student spotlight
• 50:15 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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