ʻIlima (Sida fallax)


ʻIlima is an indigenous plant and it is characteristically known by their little beautiful yellow flowers. Although they are very pretty, they have no scent. ʻIlima has been recognized as Hawaiʻi's state flower! Traditionally, they were used to make beautiful lei. At one point, they were only reserved for royalty because they resembled the yellow feather lei that aliʻi (chiefs) used to wear.

Medicinal usage: The juice from the flowers were used as a mild laxative for babies. When the root bark was mixed with the flower, it was known to help with asthma. Iʻm not sure how they ingested it, but Iʻm assuming that they mixed the juices together.

Comments

  1. Hi kim!
    ʻIlima is very beautiful and resembled hibiscus. I have never heard the flower was used as a medicine which is very interesting for me.

    ReplyDelete

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