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Here’s to Your Hibiscus Health
©By Dori Cranmore RN, Holistic Health Practitioner
Did you know that hibiscus herbal tea is not only delicious, but also a very healthy beverage? Pretty much any herb can be used to make tea, but one of the prettiest is that of Hibiscus. It is served hot or cold and contains no caffeine. Often it is used as part of herbal blends because it helps improve scent, color and flavor. Several studies show that besides lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol, this healthful hibiscus tea has several characteristics that make it much more valuable than conventional teas. All over the world people drink hibiscus tea for health; (hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar) for cooling; (hibiscus tea is a refrigerant and helps cool the body), for a relaxing refreshment; (hibiscus tea contains no caffeine), for ceremonies; (every wedding and celebration in Sudan and Egypt is “toasted” with glasses of hibiscus tea), and just for enjoyment..
Other benefits include preventing bladder infections and constipation if taken regularly.
Unquestionably, brewed hibiscus is a stunning refresher, bold, tart and beautiful. Unlike tea, however, it is not made from leaves, or the flowers. The tall, slender hibiscus plant, related to both okra and the cotton plant, produces tiny pink flowers, which wither quickly and fall off, leaving seedpods behind. Big, fleshy red calyxes, not petals or leaves, grow around the pods, and it is these juicy calyxes that are harvested and dried in the sun to become the blackish-red bits used in teas. Most still refer to the calyxes as flowers.
The species Hibiscus Sabdariffa, is also known as Red Tea, China Rose, Red Sorrell, Roselle, Jamaica Tea, and Sudanese Tea. It was used by the Chinese to treat dandruff and stimulate hair growth. Making a tea and using it as a rinse for the hair works well. Hibiscus has also been used to treat hemorrhoids and wounds. For this the flowers are soaked in hot water and softened and put as a poultice where needed.
In India, Africa and Mexico, all above-ground parts of the hibiscus plant are valued in native medicine. Infusions of the leaves or calyxes are regarded to reduce excess fluid in the cells, kill bacteria, minimize muscle spasms and can kill off those pesky little parasites that like to take up residence in our bodies.
Historically the leaves of the plant were used for circulation and heart disorders. Today we know that the flowers contain many other medicinal effective for upper respiratory issues, improving the health of the stomach lining, reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, circulation disorders, helps dissolve phlegm, a diuretic, and also as a very gentle laxative due to the content of the poorly absorb-able fruit. It is also a member of the mallow family which gives it soothing properties for a sore throat and cough. Drinking a cup of hibiscus tea after meals will reduce the absorption of dietary carbohydrates and assist in weight loss. Newer studies are indicating drinking 3 cups of hibiscus tea may help keep blood sugar in a normal range.
Hibiscus is rich in Vitamin C so it is a great immune booster to aid in fighting off viruses. In East Africa, the Hibiscus infusion, called “Sudan tea”, is taken to relieve coughs. Hibiscus juice, with salt, pepper, and molasses, is taken as a remedy for nausea.
In other experiments, hibiscus extract decreased the rate of absorption of alcohol and so lessened its effect on the system. In Guatemala, hibiscus is a favorite remedy for the after-effects of drunkenness.
Because of its muscle relaxing abilities it is not recommended for pregnant women. However, children can benefit by drinking hibiscus tea and they love it for the bright red color and tangy flavor. Have fun and make different varieties. Here is a fun recipe;
4-6 cups water
4 TBSP organic Hibiscus flowers
1 cinnamon stick, Grated lemon or lime peeling
Add ¼ cup Agave syrup to taste
Bring water to a boil and remove from heat. Place ingredients in water, Cover and steep for 10 minutes (longer is not better!). Strain and serve over ice. This will sure to be a hit at any gathering.
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