Always heard of green tea or black tea and their benefits, what if I tell you I have a different color for you and it is loaded with benefits too. It is the beautiful deep pink color tea that I am talking about which is made of hibiscus.Hibiscus or Japa Pushpa is not only beautiful or refreshing but has loads of benefits. This health pod is made of dried parts of the hibiscus plant and is deep pink in color. The taste is similar to that of a cranberry as it has sweet and tart flavour.  The best part is that it can be consumed both hot and cold and there will be no harm.

The part of the flower that protects and supports it is called the calyx. This part is dried and used to make hibiscus tea. It can be prepared by steeping a small portion of the plant in boiling water. Although, if available you can also make it from the fresh flowers. One can find different species of hibiscus varying by the location and climate they grow in, but the most commonly used is Hibiscus Sabdariffa for hibiscus tea. It originated in North Africa and Southeast Asia but now grows in many tropical and subtropical climates. People around the world use various parts of the plant as food and medicine.

Hibiscus has been used by different cultures as a remedy for several conditions. Egyptians used hibiscus tea to lower body temperature, treat heart and nerve diseases, and as a diuretic to increase urine production.

In Africa, tea is used to treat constipation, cancer, liver disease, and cold symptoms. Pulp made from the leaves was applied to the skin to heal wounds.

In Iran, drinking sour tea is still a common treatment for high blood pressure.

Benefits of consuming Hibiscus Tea

Now let’s come to the numerous benefits that can be enjoyed just by sipping this gorgeous pink tea. 

• Lowers Blood Pressure – High Blood Pressure can over time lead to extra strain on the heart and weaken it. Therefore, it is also associated with an increased risk of heart disease. Several studies have found that drinking hibiscus tea lowers the blood pressure in people at risk of high blood pressure and those with mildly high blood pressure. In Iran, hibiscus tea is used to treat high blood pressure. It may lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, hibiscus tea may be a safe and natural way to help lower blood pressure, it is not recommended for those taking hydrochlorothiazide, a type of diuretic used to treat high blood pressure, as it may interact with the drug.

• Increases Good Cholesterol – Some studies have shown that hibiscus tea may reduce blood cholesterol and triglycerides in those with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. However, other studies have produced conflicting results. Better quality studies are still needed to investigate the impact of hibiscus consumption on cholesterol levels.

• Helps in Weight Loss – Hibiscus lowers the absorption of glucose and starch from carbohydrate-rich foods. So, it helps in maintaining a healthy weight. There have been reports showing that consumption of hibiscus tea results in lowering the Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight, body fat and hip-to-waist ratio. A few human and animal studies have associated the consumption of hibiscus extract with decreased body weight and body fat. However, it should be noted that these studies used concentrated doses, and further research is needed to fully confirm the benefits of hibiscus in tea.

• Boosts Liver Health – From producing proteins to secreting bile to breaking down fat, your liver is essential to your overall health. Interestingly, studies have shown that hibiscus may promote liver health and helps it to work efficiently. There has also been studies which showed liver-protecting properties of hibiscus extract which helped in treating and decreasing the markers of liver damage. There have been human and animal studies which have found that hibiscus extract may benefit liver health by increasing drug-detoxifying enzymes and reducing liver damage and fatty liver.

• Helps Fight Bacteria – Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can cause a variety of infections, ranging from bronchitis to pneumonia to urinary tract infections. Some test-tube studies have found that hibiscus could help fight certain bacterial infections. However, no human studies have looked at the antibacterial effects of hibiscus tea, so it is still unclear how these results may translate to humans.

• Prevents Cancer – Hibiscus is a mild diuretic, which eases constipation and regulates bowel movement. It also prevents colorectal cancer by keeping the gastrointestinal system healthy. Hibiscus is high in polyphenols, which are compounds that have been shown to possess powerful anti-cancer properties. Test-tube studies have found that hibiscus extract reduces the growth and spread of plasma, mouth, prostate and stomach cancer cells. Though human studies are needed to evaluate the effect of hibiscus tea.

• Removes Gallstones – It is believed in Ayurveda, that gall stones can naturally be removed by consuming this wondrous plant. One can have hibiscus tea or can have the hibiscus flower powder with a glass of warm water. Hibiscus powder promotes urination which is essential to keep gallstones away.

• Prevents Anaemia – As hibiscus is high in iron, it increases the haemoglobin level in the body. This can prevent and even help in curing anaemia.

• Flavourful and easy to make – Apart from all the health benefits, hibiscus tea is delicious and easy to prepare at home. Simply add dried hibiscus flowers to a teapot and pour boiling water over them. Let it steep for five minutes, then strain, sweeten it if desired and enjoy. It can be consumed hot or cold and has a tart taste that is often sweetened with honey or flavoured with lime.

Therefore, Hibiscus contains a lot of medicinal properties and specially used as an effective herb for numerous reasons. The astringent and cooling properties of hibiscus cools down an overheated stomach, reducing the appetite to natural levels. The diuretic and blood-thinning qualities of hibiscus will help in weight loss and also improves mood. People use hibiscus for high blood pressure and high cholesterol which further prevents the formation of gallstones. It also works great even for hair and skincare. It’s rich in Vitamin C, contains minerals such as  flavonoids and has laxative properties. And it tastes delicious! When used as a tea, hibiscus is generally considered safe. But there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses. 

Side-Effects of consuming Hibiscus Tea

There is no doubt that this particular tea has loads of health benefits but as it is rightly said “No Action is without its Side Effects”. Even a Rose does not come without a thorn and similar is the case with this beautiful flower. High doses of hibiscus extract can lead to many problems like liver damage and drop in the blood pressure below normal level. It can also affect estrogen levels which can have an effect in both pregnancy and fertility. It is also not safe to consume it with some medicines like hydrochlorothiazide, chloroquine etc. So, it is always better to consult with a doctor as some herbs have the potential to interact with the medications.

Types

Hibiscus may be available in the following forms:

• Single tea bags
• Ready-to-drink tea
• Loose flower petals
• Liquid extract
• Encapsulated powder

How much to consume?

There are no guidelines directing the appropriate use of hibiscus supplements. Most capsule formulations are offered in 250-milligram to 400-milligram doses and are considered safe if used within this range. Dried hibiscus flowers or powders, found online and in some health food stores, can be used to make hibiscus tea and syrups. Hibiscus tea can be made by steeping 1.25 grams (1.5 teaspoons) of dried hibiscus to 150 milliliters (3/4 cup) of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes. When used for medicinal purposes, limit yourself to no more than two to three cups per day.

When to consume?

Hibiscus tea contains flavonoids that reduce the absorption of fats. If you sip on a cup after dinner, your body won’t be so quick to cling to the unwanted fats from your hearty meal. So consume it one hour after your dinner to make the best use of it. It can also be consumed before having a meal just make sure about the quantity consumed.

What to look for?

Before consuming hibiscus one should make sure that it is natural and pure and there is No adulteration. As a general rule, be wary of imported remedies made with hibiscus. As much as you may believe them to be more “natural”, it is impossible to know whether they have been exposed to pesticides, chemical desiccants, or other contaminants. If buying hibiscus for medicinal purposes, be sure that Hibiscus sabdariffa is printed clearly on the product label. Other species used for medicine include Hibiscus rosa-sinensis used in certain Ayurvedic remedies and Hibiscus taiwanese from Taiwan.

So don’t be afraid and to try this out because it’s incredibly easy to make and you can make it with both fresh or dried flowers. Just make sure that you do not overdo it.

lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu..