Surprising Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea, made from dried parts of the hibiscus plant, is deep red in color. It has sweet and tart flavors, similar to cranberry, and may be consumed hot or iced. Hibiscus tea is categorized as an herbal tea. Herbal tea is made from a variety of plants, herbs, and spices. In many countries, herbal tea cannot be called "tea" since it does not come from the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made as an infusion from crimson or deep magenta-coloured calyces (sepals) of the roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) flower. It is consumed both hot and cold, my boss in the office likes it.

  

Surprising Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

Improves Digestion: Hibiscus tea regularizes both urination and bowel movements. It’s also used to treat constipation, which helps you lose weight and improve the health of your gastrointestinal system and avoid colorectal cancer.

Manages Blood Pressure: Hibiscus tea can reduce blood pressure by up to 10 points, because of its anti-inflammatory properties. For this drastic improvement to occur, you need to regularly consume three cups of this tea every day for a few weeks. Also, it has diuretic properties that increase urination, simultaneously lower blood pressure.

Tastes Great: Hibiscus tea has a taste that is very similar to cranberry juice.

Lowers Cholesterol:  It helps to lower the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol from the body, thereby helping to protect against heart diseases and protecting blood vessels from damage. A research study conducted on patients with type II diabetes suggests that consumption of hibiscus sour tea lowers cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Protects Liver: Antioxidant properties of hibiscus tea also help in treating liver diseases. Antioxidants help to protect your body from diseases because they neutralize the free radicals present in body tissues and cells (drinking hibiscus tea could increase your lifespan by maintaining good overall health).

Anti-cancer Properties: Hibiscus tea slows down the growth of cancerous cells by inducing apoptosis, commonly known as programmed cell death.

Relieves Menstrual Pain: It reliefs from cramps and menstrual pain. It helps in restoring hormonal balance as well, which can reduce the symptoms of menstruation like mood swings, depression, and overeating.

Acts as Antidepressant Agent: Consumption of hibiscus tea can help to calm down the nervous system, and it may reduce anxiety and depression by creating a relaxed sensation in the mind and body.

Satiates Thirst: Hibiscus tea is also used as a sports drink in order to satiate thirst.

Effects of Hibiscus Tea

Blood Pressure: It lowers blood pressure (anti-hypertensive property). Therefore, it is not recommended for people who already have hypotension. It may cause faintness, dizziness, and can even damage the heart or brain if consumed by anyone with low blood pressure.

Pregnancy and Fertility: Hibiscus tea is not recommended for pregnant women, particularly due to its emmenagogic effects which may stimulate menstruation or blood flow in the uterus or pelvic region.

Allucinatory Effect: Some people may feel intoxicated or experience hallucination after drinking hibiscus tea.

Allergy: Some people develop allergic reactions such as itchy red eyes, sinus or hay fever when consuming hibiscus tea.