How to Make Hibiscus Tea and its Benefits Correctly
Mostly people knows about this plant hibiscus. This plants has latin name Hibiscus rosa sinensis can grow in any places. Including in the garden or indoor.
Generally, hibiscus flowers are red. But there are also pink and white ones like hibiscus syriacus. The distinctive feature of the hibiscus flower is that it is shaped like a trumpet, has five crowns, and the pistil and stamens are seen extending outward.
This ornamental plant can thrive without extra care. The parts of the hibiscus flower that are used to make tea are the petals and the corolla.
Behind its beauty, hibiscus flowers have many health benefits. Hibiscus flowers is believed for treating or curing any diseases. Such as fever, helps lose weight and inhibits the development of dangerous viruses.
Hibiscus flowers have long been used abroad as a beverage ingredient. In India this tea is known as orhul, agua de jamaica (Mexico), bissap (Africa), sorrel (Jamaica), karkadé (Egypt and Arabic), and soobolo (Ghana).
Well, the most popular variety is Hibiscus sabdariffa, this variety is most often cultivated for medicinal purposes and used to make hibiscus tea.
What is hibiscus tea?
Maybe you are already familiar with hibiscus tea. Tea from hibiscus flowers or hibiscus flower is already widely found on the menu of Starbucks, Fore, and other coffee brands. Hibiscus tea is available from one liter packs to teabags.
Hibiscus tea, also called sour tea, is made from a combination of dried hibiscus flowers, dark red leaves and petals which when drunk has a sour taste.
Hibiscus tea contains polyphenols and anthocyanins which are beneficial for health.
Maybe there are some of you who are not familiar with this tea. Therefore, we will discuss starting from the benefits of this hibiscus tea and how to make it.
Hibiscus Tea Benefits and Recipes
The health benefits of hibiscus tea include controlling hypertension and lowering high blood pressure, lowering blood sugar levels, and improving liver health. Hibiscus tea can also help in improving digestion and treating depression.
Additionally, research shows that hibiscus tea can speed up metabolism and aid in healthy, gradual weight loss. This hibiscus tea contained antioxidants, vitamin C, and minerals.
Hibiscus tea, also known as Agua de Jamaica and by its scientific name Hibiscus sabdariffa is made by boiling the parts of the hibiscus plant. This tea is ruby red or dark magenta in color and has a sour taste.
Hibiscus tea is a very popular beverage throughout the world and is often used as a herbal tea. Hibiscus flowers have various names and in some places are also known as “Roselle”. You can get this flower all over the world and can be consumed hot or cold depending on your preference.
- Regulate Blood Pressure
A report from the AHA (American Heart Association), published in November 2008, showed that consuming this tea can lower blood pressure in adults with pre-hypertension and mild hypertension.
Based on a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology also shows that hibiscus has antihypertensive and cardioprotective properties, which can be beneficial for people suffering from hypertension and those at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure by up to 10 points, according to 2010 research conducted at Tufts University in Boston. So that the benefits can be felt drastically, then you need to regularly consume three cups of this tea every day for several weeks.
- Lowers Cholesterol
A research study conducted on patients with type II diabetes showed that consumption of hibiscus and sour tea could lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increase high-density lipoprotein (good) cholesterol, which helps manage this unexpected disease.
Hibiscus tea can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels from the body thereby helping protect against heart disease and protecting blood vessels from damage. The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties of hibiscus tea can be beneficial for those suffering from blood sugar disorders such as diabetes.
- Protects the Heart
Research studies have also shown that the antioxidant properties of hibiscus tea may help treat liver disease. when 19 obese people consumed hibiscus tea extract for 12 weeks, there was a significant improvement seen in hepatic steatosis – a condition they all suffered from, according to Food & Function Journal study that published in 2014. Liver steatosis is a condition that causes a buildup of fat in the liver which can lead to liver failure.
Hibiscus tea also contains antioxidants that help protect the body from disease because it helps neutralize free radicals present in the body’s tissues and cells. Therefore, drinking the beneficial oxidants of caffeine-free hibiscus tea can prolong life by maintaining overall health.
- Acts as an Antidepressant
Hibiscus tea contains vitamins and minerals, particularly flavonoids. Consumption of hibiscus tea can help calm the nervous system, and can reduce anxiety and depression by creating a relaxing sensation in the mind and body, says research published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology.
- Smooth Digestion
Many people drink hibiscus tea to improve digestion as it regulates urination and defecation. Due to its diuretic properties, hibiscus tea is also used to treat constipation and improve digestive system health, according to a study published in the IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry.
How to make the hibiscus tea
Ingredient:
- 2 tsp dried hibiscus flowers
- 3-4 glasses of water
- Honey
How to cook:
- Boil water in a pot.
- Add dried hibiscus flowers to the cup.
- Pour boiling water into a cup.
- Let stand for five minutes until the tea turns red.
- Strain and add honey for taste.
- Enjoy your hot tea.
- Or it can also be made by adding ice to make it fresher if you drink it in hot weather
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