8 Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

One of the most omnipotent herbal teas out in the world, hibiscus tea is actually a tisane made from the petals and sepals of the hibiscus Sabdariffa, or the regular hibiscus flower. hibiscus tea is a vibrant, tart-flavored beverage that is not only delicious but a stunning ruby brew to add to your daily day.

The health benefits of hibiscus tea have allowed people to use it as a herbal remedy to treat several symptoms of bad health.

There are many health benefits of hibiscus tea that can be extremely beneficial to someone that consumes it, especially during the monsoon season. It is a season that brings forth bacteria and infections

What is Hibiscus Tea?

There are over 100 species of the hibiscus plant that belong to the Malvaceae family. A hardy plant that enjoys the sun and moist soil, the common features of this plant include small trees and colorful flowers that are generally vibrant red in color.

Hibiscus is a tropical plant that thrives in sunlight with the help of additional nutrition from the soil and its petals are infused in water to create various drinks. The most commonly used species for hibiscus tea are hibiscus Sabdariffa and hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis.

Many countries and cultures relish this beverage for the health benefits of hibiscus tea. Furthermore, it is known by various names across the globe like Sour tea, Red Sorrel, Agua de Jamaica, Roselle and Karkade.

Apart from being solely used in the hibiscus tea concoction, the petals of this flower are frequently blended with green tea and black tea. This gives them new taste notes and adds some of the health benefits of hibiscus tea to their profile.

8 benefits of drinking hibiscus tea

With a flavor profile that varies from fruity, sweet, and sour to astringent notes, hibiscus tea is not just your regular pretty looking beverage. The tart-flavored tea itself is packed with health benefits. Considering how versatile the plant is, there are many health benefits of hibiscus tea that can be of use to us. Let’s have a look at a few of them:

1. Loaded with Antioxidants

Of all the health benefits of hibiscus tea, the one that is unanimous with other teas is the presence of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that help fight against harmful compounds in the body known as free radicals. Free radicals are produced during many of the chemical processes that happen inside the body. By draining the free radicals from the body, antioxidants prevent the formation of disease which is commonly caused by the buildup of free radicals.

2. Helps Lowering Blood Pressure

One of the commonly known health benefits of hibiscus tea is its properties that help lower blood pressure. Several medical studies indicate that hibiscus extract with tea may help reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, it is advised that hibiscus tea should not be consumed if a person is taking hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide is a type of diuretic used to treat high blood pressure and may react with tea.

3. Helps Boosting Liver Health

Several studies surrounding this vibrant tea reveal that it may help boost liver health. The antioxidants present in hibiscus tea help the liver function efficiently and remain healthy. One of the health benefits of hibiscus tea that is still being studied in medical trials indicates that it directly filters out the free radicals produced by the liver. This, in turn, improves the functionality of the organ helping it filter out fat content and avoid liver failure.

4. Aids in Lowering Blood Fat Content

While lowering blood pressure is one of the prime health benefits of hibiscus tea, there is also one that helps in lowering blood fat content. In one study, 60 people with diabetes were given either hibiscus tea or black tea. After one month, those who drank hibiscus tea experienced increased “good” HDL cholesterol and decreased total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Several other studies indicate that reduced blood fat levels can further aid in the prevention of heart disease.

5. Assists in Weight Management

When it comes to the health benefits of hibiscus tea, it is hard to miss out on this one. For those who are religiously following a weight loss regime, this tea is a wonderfully hydrating drink. It is also believed that it lowers the absorption of starch and glucose which helps avoid further weight gain. Hibiscus inhibits the production of amylase, which helps with the absorption of carbs and starch, thereby reducing the absorption of these elements more than required by the body.

6. Helps Lower Cholesterol

The health benefits of hibiscus tea indicate that it has hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. The hibiscus flower has polyphenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins which all have antioxidant properties. These can be helpful in managing Dyslipidemia and obesity, which are majorly caused due to high cholesterol.

7. Tempers Menstrual Pain

The soothing aroma and taste of hibiscus tea help bring relief from cramps and menstrual pain. Furthermore, due to the health benefits of hibiscus tea that make it a soothing beverage, it can help ease symptoms of menstruation. So, every time you feel your mood take a sour turn or you binge eat more than your body can take, just sip on some hibiscus tea!

8. Stimulates Sleep

Are you the kinds that spend your days daydreaming and nights wide awake waiting for some kind of epiphany? Well, then it’s time to kiss that borderline insomnia goodbye with hibiscus tea. Known to inhabit sedative and anxiolytic effects, this health benefit of hibiscus tea can help induce sleep. From relieving pain, anxiety, and fever to headaches, hibiscus tea can seemingly calm your mind and help you slip into a deep slumber at night.

A versatile beverage meant for all seasons, hibiscus tea is the kind of tea you can enjoy whenever, wherever. This crimson-colored drink is enriched with endless healthy advantages. If one were to start counting the health benefits of hibiscus tea then they would run out of fingers. Though not many are familiar with this fact, almost 15-30% of Hibiscus tea is composed of organic acids. These acids include Malic acid, Tartaric acid, and Citric acid, which are commonly found in fruits like grapes and beverages like wine. Above all, it has low toxicity which makes it an ideal beverage for age groups at any given time. So go ahead and brew yourself a cup full of refreshing goodness!