These red hairy looking anthers look great against the green background. Hibiscus has been credited with a wide range of healing properties. In Colombia, the plant is used to treat hair loss and scurvy; in Samoa, it is commonly given to women who are suffering from menstrual cramps or who are in childbirth, as the leaves ease labor pains. In the Cook Islands and the Philippines, the flowers are used to induce abortions. In a 1962 study, hibiscus was confirmed to be hypotensive, as well as antispasmodic, anthelminthic, and antibacterial. In subsequent studies, the plant was found to effectively work against such diseases as ascariasis and tuberculosis. Studies in France, Malaysia, and Egypt have found that the plant has anticarcinogenic effects.More Info...