The Benefits of Hibiscus 

The hibiscus tea is a herbal tea which is made from the sepals of the hibiscus flower, whose scientific name is Hibiscus sabdariffa. This tea is quite popular in the countries of Egypt, Sudan, Latin America, United States and Trinidad and Tobago. They are known by various names in these countries; in Latin America this tea is referred to as flor de Jamaica, in West Africa this is known as bissap, in Egypt and Sudan it is called karkade, sorrel in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica and in the wider Caribbean it is known as red sorrel. Hibiscus flower tea has several health benefits. What we are going to learn in this article is what are the benefits, how the tea is prepared, and also what are its various side effects.

Benefits from the Tea

The tea is a healthy beverage and several studies have proved the various benefits of drinking this tea. Given below are some of the benefits of drinking this tea.

• The tea and blood pressure go hand-in-hand. For a person suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension, this herbal tea is one of the best remedies. If this tea is drunk on a regular basis then high blood pressure can be kept at bay. The antioxidant properties that are present in the flower are also good for keeping the blood vessels and the heart in a good condition.
• This tea is also good for lowering high cholesterol levels in a person, hence in turn it reduces the risk of any kind of heart problems.
• A cup of this tea after every meal is great for weight loss as it reduces the absorption of dietary carbohydrates.
• This tea is also rich in Vitamin C which in turn helps improve the immune system, hence this tea is good for treating colds, flu and fever. The tea also contains certain minerals which help in improving eyesight and preventing premature wrinkling of the skin.
• If this tea is drunk regularly, then the chances of any kind of infection related to the urinary bladder, as well as problems of constipation will be reduced.
• The tea is also good for preventing various ailments such as stomach cramps, menstrual cycle cramps, muscle cramps and spasms.

These are the various health benefits of the tea. Below is a recipe which can be followed to make your own herbal tea at home.

Hibiscus tea preparation

The recipe is simple. Just follow the steps given below and enjoy this healthy drink at any time.

Things Required

• Dried hibiscus blossoms (2 cups)
• Sugar (2/3 cups)
• Cinnamon sticks (optional)
• Pot to boil water
• Strainer

Method

• In a pot, boil water. The amount of water that you require will depend on the number of people who are going to drink this tea.
• Next add the blossoms as well as the cinnamon stick and steep for the next 15 to 20 minutes.
• Then, pour the tea into glasses or cups through a strainer and then serve. You can add sugar to taste. If you would like to drink ice tea, then just let the tea cool, add ice and serve.

Side Effects

Just as this tea has several health benefits, it also has some side effects. Here are some of the important side effects that you should be aware of.

• True this tea is good for lowering blood pressure, hence a person with low blood pressure should never drink this tea.
• After drinking this tea, a person might have hallucinations or feel sleepy.
• Hormonal changes in the body is another common side effect of this tea. It also affects the estrogen level in women. Pregnant mothers are advised not to drink this tea.
• People taking drugs for cancer should avoid drinking this tea as some of the chemicals present might affect the cancer cells.

These are some of the various benefits and side effects of the tea.