Flower Power: Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea, either brewed of fresh flowers or dried ones, is a great beverage to improve your health. Hibiscus tea has been popular for centuries around the world. There are a variety of Hibiscus plants. Not all Hibiscus plants are edible. Most of the hibiscus varieties are ornamental. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), Cranberry hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella), and Chinese hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis) are traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Hibiscus flowers possess a broad range of medicinal properties. Hibiscus flower petal contains several phytochemical compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and polyphenols. Hibiscus tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants. Within an hour of consuming it, it increases the antioxidant level of blood.

I make my fresh ruby red, tangy, healthful cup of tea using Chinese hibiscus due to the abundance of this variety around me. If fresh hibiscus is unavailable around you, go for store-bought hibiscus tea. Hibiscus tea, what you find in stores, is usually dried roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyx. That is an excellent, hassle-free option for a health-conscious tea drinker.

Why add hibiscus tea to your diet?

• Boosts liver health (1) (13)

• Defends against bacterial infections (7)

• Controls blood sugar (3)(8)

• Promotes weight loss (9)

• Lower blood pressure (14) (17)

• Protects against DNA damage (15)

• Lowers fat level in the body (4) (9)

• Controls cancer progression (10) (11)

Caution:

1. Those who suffer from hypotension should not consume hibiscus tea since it may lower their blood pressure further. (17)

2. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to consume hibiscus tea because it is associated with the termination of pregnancy (16)

Serves – 2

Preparation time: 5 mins

Brewing time: 10 min

Total time: 15 min

Ingredients

Hibiscus flower – 4

Lemon juice- 1 tbsp

Mint leaves – 5-6 ( optional)

Honey – 2 tsp

Directions

1. Remove petals from hibiscus flowers. Rinse it with water to remove dirt.

2. Keep the petals in a kettle or saucepan.

3. Add 2 cups of boiling water to the kettle and cover it.

4. Let it steep for 10 mins.

5. Add lemon juice and honey.

6. Enjoy

(Note - You can also add mint leaves /lemongrass as per your taste)

References:

1. Mechanisms Involved in Toxicity of Liver Caused by Piroxicam in Mice and Protective Effects of Leaf Extract of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L - PubMed (nih.gov)

2. Beneficial effects of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. flower aqueous extract in pregnant rats with diabetes - PubMed (nih.gov)

3. Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. Petals Modulates Glycogen Metabolism and Glucose Homeostasis Signalling Pathway in Streptozotocin-Induced Experimental Diabetes - PubMed (nih.gov)

4. Effect of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Linn. ethanol flower extract on blood glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats - PubMed (nih.gov)

5. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis Linn flower extracts - PubMed (nih.gov)

6. Evaluation of the wound-healing activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis L (Malvaceae) in Wistar albino rats Bhaskar A, Nithya IJP Indian J Pharmacol (ijp-online.com)

7. In vitro antibacterial activity of Hibiscus rosa–sinensis flower extract against human pathogens - ScienceDirect

8. Anti-hyperglycaemic activity of H. rosa-sinensis leaves is partly mediated by inhibition of carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and enhancement of insulin secretion - PubMeanti-adipogenic

9. AMPK activating and anti adipogenic potential of Hibiscus rosa sinensis flower in 3T3-L1 cells - ScienceDirect

10. Antioxidant activity of flavonoid compounds isolated from the petals of Hibiscus rosa sinensis - ScienceDirect

11. Components in aqueous Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract inhibit in vitro melanoma cell growth - PubMed (nih.gov)

12. A Comparative Study of the Antihypertensive and Cardioprotective Potentials of Hot and Cold Aqueous Extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in Relation to Their Metabolic Profiles - PMC (nih.gov)

13. Antioxidant and drug detoxification potentials of Hibiscus sabdariffa anthocyanin extract - PubMed (nih.gov)

14. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults - PubMed (nih.gov)

15. (PDF) THE ANTIOXIDANT AND DNA DAMAGE PROTECTION ACTIVITY OF Hibiscus sabdariffa L (researchgate.net)

16. Flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, a potential source of contragestative agent. III: Interceptive effect of benzene extract in mouse - PubMed (nih.gov)

17. Effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - PubMed (nih.gov)