Health benefits of Hibiscus Tea

 

The health benefits of hibiscus tea might include hypertension control and reduced high blood pressure, lowered blood sugar levels, and improved liver health. It may also help in improving digestion and treating depression.

 

Research suggests that hibiscus tea may speed up metabolism and can aid in healthy, gradual weight loss. This tea is rich in vitamin C, minerals, and antioxidants.

 

What  Hibiscus Tea Is

 

Hibiscus tea, also known as Agua de Jamaica and by its scientific name Hibiscus sabdariffa is prepared by boiling parts of the hibiscus plant. This tea is ruby red or deep magenta in color and has a sour taste.

 

It is a very popular beverage throughout the world and is often used as a medicinal tea. Hibiscus flowers have various names and are known as “Roselle” in some places. It is widely available in the market throughout the tea-drinking world and can be consumed hot or cold depending on your preference.

 

Hibiscus Tea Nutrition

Hibiscus tea is naturally low in calories and is caffeine-free. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, it has a good supply of minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. It also contains B-vitamins like niacin and folic acid. This tea is a good source of anthocyanins, which may make it beneficial for managing elevated blood pressure levels, the common cold, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

 

Nutrition Facts

Beverages, tea, hibiscus, brewed

Serving Size :

100 g

NutrientValue

Water [g]        99.58

Ash [g]            0.42

Calcium, Ca [mg]     8

Iron, Fe [mg]  0.08

Magnesium, Mg [mg]           3

Phosphorus, P [mg] 1

Potassium, K [mg]    20

Sodium, Na [mg]      4

Zinc, Zn [mg] 0.04

Manganese, Mn [mg]          0.48

Niacin [mg]    0.04

Folate, total [µg]        1

Folate, food [µg]       1

Folate, DFE [µg]       1

Choline, total [mg]    0.4

 

Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

 

The various potential benefits of hibiscus flower tea which can help in keeping the human body fit are given below. Read on and get healthier!

 

May Help Manage Blood Pressure

A report from the AHA (American Heart Association), published in November 2008, suggests that consuming this tea may have high chances of lowering the blood pressure in pre-hypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. It also states that 1/3 of adults in the United States suffer from high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension. 

A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology suggests that hibiscus has antihypertensive and cardioprotective properties, which can be beneficial for people suffering from hypertension and those at high risks of cardiovascular diseases. 

Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, hibiscus tea may reduce blood pressure by up to 10 points, according to a 2010 research done at Tufts University in Boston. For this drastic improvement to occur, you need to regularly consume three cups of this tea every day for a few weeks. Also, it has diuretic properties that increase urination and simultaneously lower blood pressure. 

 

Can Be Beneficial For Weight Loss

As per a study published in the National Library of Medicine, hibiscus extracts may help in preventing obesity due to its metabolism regulation properties. Another research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed how hibiscus tea reduced body weight among obese mice. 

 

May Help Lower Cholesterol

A research study conducted on patients with type II diabetes suggests that consumption of hibiscus and sour tea may lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which helps to manage this unpredictable disease.

Hibiscus tea may also help lower the levels of LDL cholesterol from the body, thereby helping to protect against heart diseases and protecting blood vessels from damage. The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties of hibiscus tea can be beneficial for those who suffer from blood sugar disorders like diabetes.

 

Might Aid in Liver Health

Research studies have suggested that the antioxidant properties of hibiscus tea may help in treating liver diseases. According to a 2014 study published in the Food & Function Journal, when 19 obese people were administered with hibiscus tea extract for 12 weeks, there was a significant improvement seen in liver steatosis – a condition they all had been suffering from. Liver steatosis is a condition that constitutes fat accumulation in the liver. This could lead to liver failure.

Hibiscus tea also consists of antioxidants that may help protect your body from diseases as they can neutralize the free radicals present in body tissues and cells. Therefore, drinking the beneficial oxidants from caffeine-free hibiscus tea could lengthen your lifespan by maintaining good overall health.

 

Health benefits of hibiscus tea infographic

Hibiscus flowers have various names and are known as “Roselle” in some places.

Can Be Used As Anti-inflammatory & Antibacterial Agent

The hibiscus plant’s loose leaf tea may even be rich in ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C. It is an essential nutrient required by your body to boost and stimulate the activity of the immune system. Hibiscus tea is also known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. In a study published in the Drug and Chemical Toxicology, when rats were administered with hibiscus extract, it increased the number of antioxidant enzymes in their bodies and reduced the harmful effects of free radicals by not less than 92 percent. While this is an animal study, more studies are needed to determine how antioxidants in hibiscus tea may affect humans.

 

May Act As an Antidepressant

Hibiscus tea may contain vitamins and minerals, specifically flavonoids, which have been associated with antidepressant properties in some animal studies. Consumption of hibiscus tea may help calm down the nervous system, and it may reduce anxiety and depression by creating a relaxed sensation in the mind and body, says research published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology.

 

Can Be Effective For Improved Digestion

Many people drink hibiscus tea to improve digestion as it regularizes both urination and bowel movements. Since it has diuretic properties, it may also be used to treat constipation and improve the health of your gastrointestinal system, says a study published in the IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry.

 

 Making Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea has several health benefits. You can get dried hibiscus flowers easily from Supermarkets, departmental stores or online portal. If you find them in your garden, the better. The red color in the tea is because of these flowers.

 

How to prepare Hibiscus Tea. 

Dried hibiscus leaves and hibiscus tea on a wooden table

Hibiscus Tea Recipe

It is very easy to make hibiscus tea; all you need is a pan, water, hibiscus flowers, and sugar or honey. Let us take a look at the step by step process of making the tea at home.

Ingredients

2 tsp dried hibiscus flowers

1 cup boiling water

Cinnamon stick [20] optional

Clove [21] optional

Tea bag optional

lime wedges optional

Ginger optional

Mint leaves optional

 

Instructions

On the stove, keep a pot of water to boil. Meanwhile, keep all the ingredients ready for the recipe, if you haven't. 

A pot of boiling water

Take 2 tsp of dried hibiscus flowers, which equals to 10 ml of the same (to be more accurate), and add it to the boiling water. You are free to add more or less of the hibiscus flowers, depending on how strong you want your tea to be. It's important to note here that hibiscus tea doesn't have caffeine, so adding a lot of it won't harm your health.

Once the water is boiled, pour the water slowly and steadily into a teapot. Make sure you have worn mittens/gloves to protect your hands from any kind of burns.

If you want to add caffeine to your tea, add a teabag to the concoction. Allow it to steep for five minutes.  While you wait, the hibiscus flowers will give the water a somewhat sharp, zingy taste.  If you wish your tea to be strong, allow it to steep for more than 5 minutes.

Once done, pour the tea into your cup, using a metal strainer. If your teapot has an in-built filter, the process will be way easier. Some people like to chew the hibiscus petals and don't prefer to strain them. You can try that as well if you like.

Don't forget to add your preferred sweetener to the beverage. Try it with honey if you can, as it goes very well with the zestfully tart flavor of the tea. You can add sugar or stevia as well, depending on your choice.

Hibiscus tea in a kettle and a teacup alongside cookies and flowers

 

Organic hibiscus tisane herbal tea has a taste that is very similar to cranberry juice. You can also try adding spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, mint leaves, lemon wedges or ginger depending on your taste. Hibiscus ginger tea is one of the popular flavors as it gives the tea both a balance of tartness (of the flower) and spiciness (of the ginger).

 

Hibiscus Tea Side Effects

Although hibiscus tea is a health enhancer and a natural weight loss booster, there are possible side effects you should be aware of.

 

Blood pressure: The health benefits of hibiscus tea include lowering blood pressure (antihypertensive properties). Therefore, it is not recommended for people who already have low blood pressure or hypotension, according to The Telegraph. It may cause faintness, dizziness, and can even cause damage to the heart or brain if consumed by anyone with low blood pressure.

Pregnancy and fertility: According to an article published in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, hibiscus tea is not recommended for pregnant women, particularly due to its emmenagogue effects, which may stimulate menstruation or blood flow in the uterus or pelvic region. According to MedlinePlus, hibiscus can cause shakiness, constipation, and stomach discomfort. For those undergoing hormonal treatments or taking birth control pills, it is recommended to consult your health specialist regarding the consumption of this variety of tea.

Diabetes & surgery: Hibiscus may lower the blood sugar levels so it is best advised to consult your doctor if suffering from diabetes or planning to undergo surgery.

Other: Some people may feel intoxicated or experience hallucinations after drinking hibiscus tea. Therefore, be cautious until you know how your body reacts to the tea. Don’t drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know what its effects are on your system.

Allergy: Some people develop allergic reactions, such as itchy red eyes, sinus, or hay fever when consuming hibiscus tea.

 

Thank you for reading our Health tips.

 

 Consult your doctor if taking any medications before using hibiscus tea. Please note some combinations are toxic! Do not self-administer without the supervision of a licensed practitioner or an experienced Elder.