What is Hibiscus Tea and How It Benefits Your Health

Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made by steeping the buds of a dried hibiscus flower in water. Tea is popular for its unique sour taste and lack of caffeine.

What is hibiscus tea?

The hibiscus is a large five-petal flower, native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The beautiful hibiscus flowers are usually white, but the hibiscus buds, also known as calyces, are deep red. These buds are picked and dried to make hibiscus tea.

The use of hibiscus dates back to ancient times, when Egyptians believed that the flower could reduce fever and treat other ailments.

The hibiscus plant is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. Most of the world's hibiscus tea comes from China and Thailand.

How to prepare

Place a hibiscus tea bag or a tea infuser containing about a teaspoon or two of loose leaves in a teacup.

Heat the water to 93-100º Celsius or 200-212º Fahrenheit. If you don't have a temperature-controlled pot, bring the water to a boil and let it sit for a minute to lower the temperature a bit.

Pour eight ounces of water over the tea bag or infuser.

Let the tea leaves steep for as long as you like. Some drinkers prefer a lighter tea, so a two-minute infusion is sufficient. A 3-5 minute brew will produce a darker, stronger cup of tea. Steeping longer can create a bitter tea. .

Remove the tea bag or infuser from the cup before drinking.

Hibiscus tea has a naturally sour taste, which is why some people like to add a simple syrup or other sweetener, such as sugar or honey, to the tea.

Health benefits

Hibiscus tea is generally consumed as a caffeine-free hot beverage or iced tea. Below are some of the health benefits associated with drinking hibiscus tea.

May lower blood pressure

Hibiscus tea has been shown to potentially lower blood pressure levels in several studies. In a small study of 65 participants, adults with high blood pressure who consumed three 8-ounce cups (720 ml total) of hibiscus tea daily for six weeks saw a decrease in their overall blood pressure.

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials also concluded that drinking hibiscus tea can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

May promote blood sugar control

A study of 100 people with type 2 diabetes patients asked participants to drink 450 ml (approximately 15 ounces) of green tea or hibiscus tea for 4 weeks. The results showed positive effects on insulin resistance and certain blood lipids in people with type 2 diabetes.

May lower cholesterol

The same study that measured insulin levels also found that drinking hibiscus tea for four weeks lowered LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raised HDL ("good") cholesterol.

It can reduce inflammation.

A study of 54 male soccer players found that consuming hibiscus extract can reduce oxidative stress, a marker of inflammation in athletes.6 The study did not directly look at the effects of drinking hibiscus tea, so more research is needed about the use of the drink.

We hope you enjoy watching this video about Hibiscus Tea

Source: Horizons Health

 

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