what is hibiscus tea

What is Hibiscus Tea? 12 Amazing Benefits You Should Learn About

For those of you who have heard hibiscus tea being discussed lately, have you wondered what it actually is that makes it so popular?

Brew Hibiscus Tea Hot or Cold

Hibiscus tea comes from a flower, packed with a variety of nutrients that are beneficial for overall human health.

What is Hibiscus tea? Hibiscus tea is a flower that is dried, naturally sweetened, and served as a hot or iced tea. 

It’s a popular beverage globally, and is frequently used as medicinal tea.

The hibiscus flower grows primarily in Africa, but has spread to many countries where it is cultivated for its leaves, petals, and bark.

The dried red or deep purple hibiscus flower has been used as food and drink for centuries.

The tea is made from dried flowers called Agua de Jamaica, or Sorrel, and it is commonly used to treat high blood pressure and haemorrhoids, amongst other health conditions.

Hibiscus tea is low in calories and has antioxidant properties. The taste is customizable depending on your preference. In fact, there are also ways to sweeten hibiscus tea without sugar. 

Whether you are feeling the heat of summer or the cold of winter, you can enjoy hibiscus tea any time of the year, depending on how you choose to prepare the drink

Your teas best friend

How to Brew Hibiscus Tea Hot or Cold

Hibiscus tea can be brewed either hot or cold and can be enjoyed leisurely or for medicinal purposes. Hibiscus tea can be brewed from either fresh or dried hibiscus flowers. 

Below are the ways in which you can make hot or cold hibiscus tea. 

  • First, pick fresh hibiscus flowers and pull each petal from the flower. Ensure that you rinse it well to remove any excess dust, dirt, or impurities from the flower. For dried hibiscus flowers, there is no need to rinse. 
  • Next, boil water. Once the water reaches a boiling temperature, immerse the fresh/dried petals in the water and pour the mixture in a teapot. Let it sit for 10 minutes. You will notice that the petals change from red to yellow. 
  • Then, remove the petals from the water after 10 minutes. Do not let the tea rest for longer than the allocated time because it may cause the tea to become bitter. 
  • Optionally, you can add lemon juice to alter the color of the tea from a deep red to a lighter pink.
  • For iced tea, pour the mixture over a handful of ice cubes and consume. Enjoy! 

Hibiscus tea has many amazing properties. Below are only some key benefits that you can get from drinking this easy-to-make homemade hibiscus tea.

What are the Benefits of Drinking Hibiscus Tea? 

The hibiscus flower has only gained attention and achieved commercial success globally in recent years, despite the fact that the health benefits of the tea have been recognized and studied for decades prior. 

The following are reasons for why the hibiscus flower should be a new addition to your diet and lifestyle. 

1. It’s Enriched with Antioxidants.

Hibiscus tea is packed with antioxidants that help the body.

Antioxidants are great for fighting compounds, such as free radicals, that are primarily known to cause damage to cells.

 Hibiscus has high levels of antioxidant properties that help promote better overall cellular health within the body. 

Aside from antioxidants, it has beneficial polyphenols that act like antioxidants, aiding in neutralizing harmful free radicals.

This is highly recommended for people with heart disease, as free radicals contribute to heart-related illness. 

Moreover, people are regularly exposed to radiation that can cause illness, and antioxidants fight with bad compounds. 

2. It Can Lower High Blood Pressure

Hibiscus tea is known for its benefits in lowering blood pressure.

Currently, high blood pressure is a common issue within society, as it is related to poor diet and food consumption.

As a result, blood pressure can strain the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease. Hibiscus tea is effective in maintaining adequate blood pressure levels, and can actually cure those suffering from high blood pressure.

Scientists and nutritionists have proven the effectiveness of hibiscus tea in significantly lowering the rate of high systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Although hibiscus tea is known for its effectiveness in treating high blood pressure, it is still important to check with your doctor or healthcare provider for recommendations regarding the safety and intake of this natural tea.

What are the Benefits of Drinking Hibiscus Teaa

3. It Can Promote Weight Loss

Another advantage of drinking hibiscus tea is weight loss. Studies show that drinking hibiscus tea generates amylase production that is beneficial for weight loss. 

Obesity can lead to serious illnesses including heart disease, high levels of cholesterol, diabetes, and ultimately, mortality.

Amylase is an enzyme that aids in the absorption of starch and glucose found in carbohydrates, which is a staple of many meals.

 Even if you don’t plan on losing weight, drinking hibiscus tea can help regulate your weight and promote a healthier body. 

4. It is High in Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the many nutrients found in the hibiscus flower.

Like antioxidants, vitamin C plays a vital role in keeping the body healthy, stopping us from catching common colds, strengthening our immune systems.

Vitamin C contributes to healing wounds, repairing tissue, new growth, and more. Thus, the hibiscus flower can be consumed and regarded as a natural source of vitamin C.

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5. It is a Great Source of Iron

Iron deficiency can lead to serious illnesses such as anemia. Apart from vitamin C, the hibiscus flower is also an excellent source of iron that helps improve overall energy and focus.

It coordinates with the body in boosting one’s immune system, regulating body temperature, and more. 

Iron is as important as other vitamins and minerals and can work toward building a stronger body and immune system and strengthening one’s overall health.

Hibiscus is packed with beneficial enzymes that can help toward achieving these goals. 

what-is-hibiscus-tea

6. It Protects the Liver

For those dealing with the challenging ailments associated with liver disease or illness, hibiscus can help in improving or mitigating various symptoms.

Hibiscus tea can protect the liver due to the high amounts of antioxidants it contains, which can help the liver absorb toxic by-products we get from food.

This tea is beneficial to the organs in our body when paired with a healthy lifestyle. 

7. It Has Antibacterial Properties 

Hibiscus tea contains antibacterial properties that can help fight infections in the respiratory system.

The tea itself contains ascorbic acids that are crucial in stimulating the activity of the immune system. 

By also providing vitamin C and iron to boost your immune system, the natural drink acts as an antibacterial agent that prevents and aids common diseases, such as colds and fever. 

Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties maintain and promote great health for the body.

Several studies support the effectiveness of hibiscus in providing antibacterial attributes.

8. It Improves Digestion

Hibiscus tea is beneficial for the gastrointestinal system, or in other words, for your tummy!

If you frequently experience constipation, bloating, and/or stomach cramps, this tea can help in reducing the severity or frequency of your symptoms by improving overall digestion. 

Experiencing poor digestion and pain before/after eating is far from enjoyable. This natural tea can help with the regulation of both bowel movements and urination. 

Hibiscus tea is effective in either reducing already existing symptoms of indigestion, or acting a preventative measure against such symptoms.

9. It Helps Prevent Cancer

Cancer is one of the most serious diseases to be diagnosed with, and the symptoms of various forms of cancer do not always explicitly present themselves. As a result, cancer is sometimes dubbed the ‘silent killer’.

As a result of the high amounts of antioxidants that hibiscus tea possesses, this natural drink can help prevent cancer.

The enzymes act as therapeutic agents in preventing illnesses, such as prostate cancer and gastric cancer, which are the most common kinds of cancer.

The antioxidant and anti-tumor properties of hibiscus tea can help slow down cancerous cells, such as squamous cell carcinoma.

Hibiscus is a powerful plant, and having this knowledge about it can save you from a serious and deadly disease.

10. It Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Hibiscus tea releases anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for overall health.

It is effective in preventing diseases and reducing symptoms associated with diseases that trigger inflammation.

Hibiscus is commonly used ingredient in medicine that helps boost the immune system and avoid virus-causing bacteria found in the environment.

 It can be a natural replacement or remedy for your daily health supplements. 

Drinking hibiscus tea is an effective way to prevent respiratory illness and provide your body with protection. 

11. It Acts as Antidepressant 

This tea is rich in vitamins and minerals that contain flavonoids, which is an excellent ingredient for antidepressant properties. 

Anxiety and depression are common and only recently recognized as mental illnesses.

Whether you are suffering from mild clinical depression and anxiety, or severe clinical depression and anxiety, the flavonoids found in hibiscus tea can help calm the nervous system and give you feelings of tranquillity and relaxation. 

Medical experts have proven and tested this concept, demonstrating the effective results of the natural tea in mitigating symptoms of prevalent mental illness. 

Hibiscus tea is a natural way of controlling and easing the feeling of anxiety and depression. 

12. It Helps Reduce Menstrual Pain 

Every month, people who menstruate experience cramps or dysmenorrhea.

While some experience cramps that are largely tolerable, others experience severe dysmenorrhea that can cause fainting and extreme fatigue.

Having dysmenorrhea can be extremely painful. Luckily, hibiscus tea is beneficial in relieving menstrual pain. It can also help reduce other symptoms experienced during menstruation, such as mood swings and depression. 

Another amazing factor of hibiscus is that it restores the hormonal balance, which can be helpful for overall health. 

Hibiscus tea is perfect during this time, as it helps ease discomfort.

 We highly recommend that you drink this before or during the start of your period for better quality of life and less painful periods!

cold-brew-hibiscus-tea-with-ice-basil-leaves

 FAQs

If you are wondering what the side effects of hibiscus tea are, here are the things you should consider.

Although hibiscus tea has various health benefits for the body, such as weight loss and lowering blood pressure, it can trigger varying adverse effects.

For people with low blood pressure, drinking hibiscus tea is not recommended, as it can cause dizziness or fainting due to its properties in relation to lowering blood pressure. This can also cause serious damage to the heart or brain if consumed by individuals with severely low blood pressure.

Another aspect to consider is the fact that the consumption of hibiscus tea is not recommended for pregnant women. Hibiscus tea is effective in treating symptoms of menstruation; however, it does the opposite for pregnancy. Consumption of hibiscus tea may have an emmenagogue effect, where menstruation or blood flow in the uterus is stimulated, which can be dangerous in times of pregnancy.

People with diabetes and surgery are also not recommended to drink hibiscus tea since it lowers blood sugar levels. Some people may experience allergic reactions as a result. It is best to first consult with a medical expert before consuming this natural tea, especially for those with underlying illnesses.

Only one to two cups of hibiscus per day are recommended, for a total or maximum of or 3 cups per day. To receive the full benefits of the tea with optimal results, it is recommended to drink each serving within an interval of 5-6 hours, since it can cause dizziness. For the best results, an 8-hour interval period after each cup of hibiscus tea is recommended.

Yes. It is safe to drink hibiscus tea every day, just in moderation. For optimal results, drink hibiscus tea regularly. A cup of hibiscus tea can provide you with fantastic health benefits.

Drinking hibiscus tea daily can give you enough vitamins and minerals needed for strong immunity and overall health.

People love hibiscus tea because it’s sweet and refreshing. One additional benefit to drinking hibiscus tea is the fact that it is caffeine-free. This means that it is safe to drink at any time of day, whether in the morning or at night.

Studies show that hibiscus tea also contains melatonin that can help promote sleep. So, drinking it at night-time wouldn’t be a problem! In fact, it may be the solution for your sleepless nights.

Conclusion 

Hibiscus tea has known benefits that can help improve overall health. The best hibiscus tea is made from either fresh or dried hibiscus flowers. It can help prevent serious illness. 

Drinking hibiscus tea is a natural way of boosting your immune system and can prevent and cure different ailments.

Including this as part of your daily lifestyle can come with amazing long-term benefits. 

For people with underlying conditions, like high blood pressure, having a cup of hibiscus tea can help lower your blood pressure and reduce symptoms. Of course, prevention is always a better route. 

Being healthy is the best achievement in life. Drinking hibiscus tea can help you achieve your goal by enjoying your life to the fullest with physical wellness.

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