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Hibiscus tea – benefits and harms. How to brew, the healing properties of cold and hot hibiscus tea

Hibiscus tea is a popular and healthful beverage, offering numerous benefits and only a few risks. Hibiscus tea has an exquisite flavor and vivid color, ranging from deep red to purple. Packed with antioxidants, it helps boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and improve cardiovascular health. To maximize its benefits, hibiscus tea can be brewed with either hot or cold water. Hot hibiscus tea is great for reducing high blood pressure, while cold hibiscus tea is better for enhancing metabolism and aiding digestion. Drinking hibiscus tea can be a flavorful and healthful addition to one's diet.

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Among many varieties of tea with different shades and tastes, Hibiscus tea is almost the most popular. The tradition to quench thirst with a drink has ancient roots, it is referred to as the favorite drink of the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra. At the time of the pharaohs, he was assigned miraculous properties in the treatment of ailments, giving beauty to the body and face.

What is hibiscus

To understand what hibiscus is made of, you need to know where it comes from. Karkade is a type of flower tea made from Sudanese rose or hibiscus, with a sweet and sour, tart flavor. The plant came from Africa, but now it is grown not only in Sudan and Egypt, but also on plantations in India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mexico and China. The composition of the plant includes anthocyanins, which give the petals a red or burgundy color.

Hibiscus tea composition

For the manufacture of a healing drink, only hibiscus inflorescences are collected and dried. This part of the plant contains more minerals. The chemical composition of hibiscus tea:

  • vitamins P, B, C, A;
  • flavonoids;
  • polysaccharides;
  • alkaloids;
  • antioxidants;
  • pectins;
  • anthocyanins.

The experiments showed that red tea is ahead of many fruits in the content of malic, tartaric, citric acid. It includes about 13 organic acids, 6 of which are involved in cell metabolism. Of trace elements, it includes: phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc. The drink contains these components in large quantities. To enrich the body, drink 2-3 cups of tea per day.

Hibiscus tea in a cup and hibiscus flowers

Hibiscus tea – increases or decreases pressure

Doctors are unanimous in this matter – the royal drink strengthens blood vessels, making their walls stronger, normalizes the work of the cardiac and vegetative-vascular systems. Recent studies have shown that hibiscus tea helps with pressure and with hypotension and hypertension. In hot form, it should be consumed at a low level of blood pressure, and in chilled – at high.

Hibiscus tea – beneficial properties

The ancient treatises describe the benefits and harms of Hibiscus tea, it is referred to as a cure for all diseases. Modern research confirms that the concentrate of vitamins and minerals contained in the drink not only quenches thirst, but also helps to cure and prevent diseases. How useful is hibiscus? Doctors believe that a healing drink helps:

  • rejuvenation of the whole body;
  • vascular strengthening;
  • pressure normalization;
  • improvement of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract;
  • lowering cholesterol;
  • strengthening the genitourinary system;
  • antitumor prophylaxis;
  • relief from gout;
  • relieve stress, chronic fatigue, gives vitality;
  • getting rid of parasites;
  • the prevention of seasonal colds;
  • elimination of alcohol decay products, eliminates the hangover syndrome.

In addition, the product has an antipyretic and antispasmodic property, reduces blood sugar in diabetes, relieves sore throat with a cold, and removes toxins. The beneficial properties of hibiscus tea can be listed for a long time, but in order to achieve a positive effect, it is necessary to constantly add hibiscus to the diet. The principle of the accumulation of vitamins that strengthen all human organs. Another condition for obtaining benefits is that you must drink at least 2 hours before bedtime..

Cup of tea on a slide of dry tea

Hibiscus tea benefits for women

The beautiful half of humanity did not remain indifferent to a delicious drink. The benefits of hibiscus for women of all ages is that tea contains not only vitamins, but also hormones that are beneficial for the female body. When drinking 1-2 cups are noted:

  • normalization of the menstrual cycle;
  • weight loss;
  • pressure normalization;
  • stress resistance.

The product is so useful that it is recommended to even eat the petals that remain after brewing. Hibiscus tea and its waste are used in cosmetology for the production of scrubs, creams, tinctures, shampoos, wipes. External use helps to tone, whiten the skin, remove impurities on its surface, and exfoliate old cells due to beneficial acids.

Benefits of Hibiscus Tea for Men

All components of tea have beneficial effects on men’s health. The anti-hangover property is especially valuable – in the southern countries where they do not know about brine, they drink the drink the next morning after a feast to relieve alcohol intoxication. The benefits of Hibiscus tea for men do not end there, it is used for the following problems:

  • low potency;
  • diseases of the genitourinary system;
  • male infertility.

Girl drinks tea from a cup

Hibiscus tea during pregnancy

Expectant mothers, accustomed to drink before pregnancy, are afraid that during this period its use is harmful. However, if the doctor does not see contraindications, then you can continue to drink hibiscus during pregnancy, reducing the number of cups per day to 1-2. After the birth of the baby and at the beginning of breastfeeding, tea will have to be excluded from the diet, because, like all brightly colored foods, it contains a lot of allergenic substances.

Hibiscus tea slimming

Nutritionists advise replacing regular tea, coffee, juices, and other drinks on hibiscus for weight loss. If you add more diet and exercise, then weight loss will happen faster. The body starts the process of burning excess subcutaneous fat. The healing properties of Hibiscus tea contribute to these results due to the presence of phaseolamine. Electrolytes of potassium, calcium, vitamin C help to remove bloating, have a laxative, diuretic effect, accelerate metabolism.

How to brew hibiscus

The drink has become popular not only at home, so in different countries additional ingredients are added to it: mint, lemon, ginger, lemon balm or cinnamon. You can properly brew hibiscus in several ways, observing the proportions – 2 teaspoons of petals per 200 g of water:

  1. Fill the petals with cool water, put the container on the fire. Add sugar and cool.
  2. Brew with boiling water, let it brew for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Add the petals to the boiling water, reduce the heat and cook under the lid for 3-5 minutes.

You need to choose a product, in the manufacture of which used whole dried flowers or petals to get a fragrant drink that combines all the healing properties of hibiscus. After the tea is drunk, doctors advise to eat what is left at the bottom of the teapot. Hibiscus petals are added to side dishes, soups, main dishes to give an unusual color, aroma and taste..

Pregnant woman drinks tea in nature

Hibiscus tea – contraindications

For those who want to diversify the diet of drinks, you need to know the contraindications of Hibiscus tea. Doctors say that when drinking a small amount of tea, there will be no harm from it, but it is contraindicated for certain categories of patients. Refuse tea should people suffering from:

  • gastritis with high acidity;
  • an ulcer;
  • nervous strain, insomnia;
  • diseases in which hormonal drugs are prescribed;
  • cholelithiasis and urolithiasis;
  • allergic to hibiscus components.
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Comments: 2
  1. Emily Bennett

    Could you please provide more information on the benefits and potential harms of hibiscus tea? Additionally, I would like to know the proper brewing method and if there are any differences in the healing properties between cold and hot hibiscus tea. Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Eli Griffin

      Hibiscus tea is known for its numerous benefits. It is rich in antioxidants which may help lower blood pressure, improve heart health, and aid in weight management. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, supports liver health, and may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, excessive consumption may lead to potential harms such as digestive issues or interference with certain medications. To brew hibiscus tea, steep dried hibiscus petals in hot water for 5-10 minutes, then strain and enjoy. Cold brewing involves steeping the petals in cold water for several hours. The healing properties of hot and cold hibiscus tea are generally similar, but heat can reduce some nutrients. Always consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or consuming herbal teas.

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