In India, the Red Hibiscus flower has been cultivated and grown for its great benefits and uses in Ayurvedic medicine, which is a traditional Indian medicine involving yoga, meditation and massage.
Herbal tea made from Hibiscus flowers
The flowers of the hibiscus plant are used all over the word in making herbal teas that are very healthy and aid the digestive system. The tea made from hibiscus is a natural diuretic and consumed by people with kidney disorders and high blood pressure all over the world. Hibiscus tea is also very high in vitamin C and very good to drink if you are suffering from the flu.
Hibiscus tea is a very versatile tea with many well-proven health benefits. It can be sipped hot or cold and mixed with other beverages and tea flavors. Hibiscus tea is made from the red hibiscus flower, which is native to warm, temperate regions such as Jamaica, Australia, and parts of Africa. Many studies have shown that the hibiscus lowers blood pressure, but like any other floral tea, it is a delicious drink as well.
Background of Hibiscus Tea
The dried hibiscus flower and hibiscus tea have been consumed by those in Mexico, Egypt, the Caribbean and beyond for thousands of years. Another name for the hibiscus flower is roselle. While traveling, you may have heard hibiscus tea called karkade in Egypt, flor de Jamaica in Latin America, or red sorrel in parts of the Caribbean. In tropical countries, the hibiscus is mixed with fresh fruit juices and sweeteners to create a refreshing cool drink. In Egypt, it is said hibiscus has been drunk as a beverage since the time of the Pharaohs and today can be found for sale at street vendors’ carts in Egyptian cities. In many countries, you will find the dried hibiscus flower for sale in large quantities at markets and in grocery stores.
Health Benefits
According to the American Heart Association, one in three adults in America has high blood pressure (over 75 million people over the age of 20 as of 2006). In one particular study, those who drank 3 cups of hibiscus tea per day for 6 weeks had a significant drop in blood pressure compared to the placebo group. Many tout hibiscus tea for its positive effect on hypertension and blood pressure. In Egypt it is commonly used as a medicine to treat high blood pressure.
Livestrong claim that hibiscus tea can aid in weight loss and reducing bloating, and many claim it is a diuretic as well. While these claims have not been studied in as much depth in the West, hibiscus tea has been used as various types of medicine around the world for centuries. To see the health benefits, it must be taken in large quantities, as in the study mentioned above. Since it is not caffeinated, drinking around 3 cups of tea or juice per day is perfectly healthy. Do not stop taking any medicines before consulting your doctor.
