Hibiscus can grow up to fifteen feet tall so you can call them a large shrub or small tree depending on how large it grows. It has dark green leaves and bright red, yellow, white or peach colored flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. The tea made from this plant is very sour, which is why some people refer to it as sour tea. Despite its strong taste, hibiscus tea health benefits make it a popular beverage for every season.
The calyces are the center part of the flower and they have a deep red color. The leaves, flowers and calyces are dried and used to make hibiscus tea. It tastes a lot like cranberry juice but if it’s too tart for your taste, add some nutmeg, honey or cinnamon to make it sweeter. Hibiscus tea taste great when served hot or cold. Whichever way you choose to drink your tea, here are some of the benefits it provides.
Hibiscus Tea Health Benefits
Hibiscus tea is great for quenching thirst
Quench your thirst and keep your body hydrated without the artificial flavorings and added sugars many other beverages contain with a nice cold glass of hibiscus tea. It’s an excellent choice for athletes or anyone that works out because it acts as a diuretic and flushes the toxins and excess fluids from your body. It also helps your body cool down fast, both of which will help you perform better.
Use hibiscus tea for depression and anxiety
Hibiscus has antidepressant properties that have the ability to calm your nervous system so you feel mentally and physically relaxed. It may also help to relieve depression because when your mind is at ease, you naturally feel better about yourself and the decisions you make.
Try hibiscus tea for weight loss
Carbohydrates contain glycogen and starches. When you eat a high carb diet, a digestive enzyme known as amylase converts the starch and glycogen into simple sugars. Drinking hibiscus tea will slow down the production of amylase. As a result, it will reduce the amount of sugars you consume and help you maintain a healthy weight.
General hibiscus tea health benefits
Sipping on a cup of tea made from the hibiscus plant does more than help you relax. It’s a healthy and delicious way to treat a variety of health issues to improve your quality of life.
Hibiscus tea has the following health benefits:
- It can give your immune system a boost
- Use it to help manage your cholesterol levels
- According to WebMD, this herbal tea can help lower your blood pressure
- Use hibiscus to ease cramps, swelling and bloating caused by menstrual cycle
- Drink hibiscus tea to relieve constipation
- Use it to help protect the liver or to treat liver disease
Studies also show that this tea contains hibiscus protocatechuic acid. This is important because this particular acid has antioxidant and anti-tumor properties that induce apoptosis. In other words, they slow down the growth of cancer cells. Therefore, this tea may even be effective at treating cancer.
Hibiscus tea side effects, dangers and warnings
Drinking hibiscus tea is mostly safe but here are a few things you should be aware of before consuming this herbal tea. Some people experience allergy symptoms that include stuffy nose and red, itchy eyes. You may have hallucinations or feel like you’re drunk after consuming this tea, so avoid driving or using machinery until you see what kind of effect it has on you.
Do not drink this tea if you’re pregnant and consult with a professional if you take birth control pills or have hormone treatments because it could cause complications. Since this tea can help lower your blood pressure, it may lower it too much if you already have low blood pressure.
Hibiscus tea is the perfect beverage to quench your thirst because it tastes great and has many health benefits. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to try it.
