Cross Keys High puts hibiscus to use

Paul H. Williams, Gleaner Writer

CROSS KEYS, Manchester:

ON DECEMBER 3, 2011, The Gleaner told the story of how Violet Whyte of Plum Valley in Charles Town, Portland, used hibiscus petals to make a drink similar in taste to what we call sorrel here in Jamaica. It turned out that hibiscus (Hisbiscus rosa-sinensis) is actually related to sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa). Now, some students and teachers at Cross Keys High School in Manchester have taken the use of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis to a whole new level of versatility.

They have used the flaming-red petals to make cakes, wine, soaps, jam, tea, cologne, perfume, and sauces. For their efforts, they were placed first in the recent Association of Science Teachers of Jamaica annual exhibition held at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester. Rural Express caught up with the students and their products at Knox Community College's 'College Day' on Wednesday, March 20.

Head of the science department, Ghanz Crawford, said the idea to showcase the versatility of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis was borne out of a suggestion from one of his colleagues. He did his research and found that the petals are used to make tea in Africa and Asia. Further discussions with his colleagues led him to think that "if it can be used for tea purposes, then it can be used for other purposes".

SEVERAL CHALLENGES

Under the leadership of Crawford, and in collaboration with the home economics and cosmetology departments, the science students set about making a range of hibiscus products. At Knox's College Day, they explained to Rural Express the procedures that they had carried out to realise their objectives. But they were challenged along the way, and had even thought of giving up at one point.

"It was very frustrating. We all decided to give up. We had limitations. We did the soap, yet still we had to do it over. The perfume had to be done over. We had problems," one student said. Their hard work was not in vain, however. The feedback, students said, was "overwhelming" as everybody was commenting on the originality of their project. "Everybody was excited about it.." It was all about the element of surprise as many people didn't know the use of the hibiscus could be so diverse.

RESEARCH FINDINGS

The plant that we see all over the country and whose leaves animals love to munch on is as versatile as they come. Apart from its ornamental characteristic, culinary and cosmetic uses, research has shown that it also used to remedy ailments such as flu (grippe), cough, hypertension, menstrual cramps, cancer, stomach aches, etc. It is also said to be used as an aphrodisiac for men and a contraceptive for women.

However, a thing of beauty such as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is never completely beautiful. It has flaws, blemishes and disadvantages. According to some sources, drinking hibiscus tea daily lowers blood pressure, so people who have low blood pressure might want to take note. Drinking too much of the tea could lead to impairment of judgement and alteration of consciousness.

The advantages seem, though, to outweigh the negatives, and the products from the plant have great entrepreneurial opportunities that the teachers and students could explore. "We are thinking of developing a business plan because it's a cheap, readily available resource in our backyard," Crawford said.