
When thinking about herbal teas, usually a yellow drink with some mints or spices comes to our mind. But guess what? Just like the huge variety of benefits they offer, herbal teas come in a variety of colours. Take Full Petal Hibiscus Flower tea for example.
Being one of the most potent herbal teas to exist, hibiscus tea is an experience in itself. Made by the infusion of crimson-coloured Roselle flowers, this beautiful drink has a tart flavour, which can be described as a lip-smacking-sour taste resembling cranberries’ taste.
What’s So Great About Hibiscus Tea?
Hibiscus tea is a delectable treat that you can enjoy both hot and cold. Making it is easy, and you can enhance its flavour by adding herbs like ginger, cinnamon, and mint. Alternatively, you can also choose to sweeten it with honey or tart it up further with lemons or any other citrus fruit.
Due to being absolutely caffeine-free, this tart elixir can be enjoyed any time of the day, without worrying if it might affect your sleep. Although most people recommend having a cup after dinner, as it allows the flavonoids to act better. This reduces the absorption of fats from your meals, making them healthier.
People often use hibiscus tea as a medicinal tea, despite having a great flavour profile. Traditionally, African countries use hibiscus tea to treat heart disease, decrease body temperature, and soothe a sore throat. Building upon the historical significance, modern science has also done quite a lot of research on hibiscus. This caffeine-free and calorie-free (not if you add sugar or honey) beverage offers a surfeit of health benefits.
Hibiscus may help with Weight Control
Most of us struggle with weight issues in our daily lives. Including Hibiscus in our drinks such as tea can help in controlling our body weight. Today, obesity is one of the most underrated medical conditions in our society. It is extremely dangerous and can lead to other diseases including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
Studies have shown that the extract of the Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) flower can help in weight management by regulating our body’s metabolism. Along with the right exercises, this can help you in maintaining a healthy body.
A study conducted on 36 overweight people had the participants divided into two groups- one was given hibiscus extract and the control group took a placebo. After 12 weeks, the hibiscus extract reduced their body fat, body weight, hip-to-waist ratio, and body mass index.
Another study, done on obese mice, reported a reduction in their body weight after 60 days of regular administration of hibiscus extract. Besides regular exercise and a balanced diet, hibiscus tea can prove essential in managing body weight.
Hibiscus may help control Blood Pressure
Blood pressure can be a very serious problem if ignored. Hypertension can cause severe stroke, and can even be fatal. Preventing such a disastrous condition is crucial to our health. Over time, high blood pressure can weaken the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease.
According to some results shown in a study, hibiscus is shown to reduce both systolic (SBP) and diastolic(DBP) blood pressure. In a study done with 65 people having high blood pressure, the subjects were divided into two groups. The experimental group was given hibiscus tea and the control group was given a placebo.
After 6 weeks, the people who had hibiscus tea showed a significant decrease in their systolic blood pressure, compared to the control group. Therefore hibiscus tea may help in maintaining proper blood pressure naturally, paving the way to a risk-free life.
May give you a Healthy Heart
The importance of monitoring your cholesterol levels is exponentially great. We must be extremely aware of the health choices we make while choosing what we consume in our daily lives. Hibiscus may help in lowering the fat levels in our blood. There is plenty of research on the subject to support this.
By reducing the cholesterol metabolism in our body, a study suggests that Hibiscus has pharmacological properties that may prevent cardiovascular diseases, which minimizes the risk factors, giving us a healthy heart.
In a study, 60 diabetic people were divided into two groups- one was given hibiscus tea and the other one drank black tea. After one month of regular consumption, those who drank hibiscus tea reported decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Researchers at PubMed conducted another study with subjects suffering from metabolic syndrome. They administered a daily dose of 100 mg of hibiscus extract to the subjects, for one month. The researchers observed that the extract decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).
Hibiscus can be an Anti-Depressant
Mental health is very serious and we often tend to ignore it. Our fast-paced lives can be stressful, and if we don’t do anything about it, we end up suffering.
Manifestly, those who suffer from a major mental illness need to consult a therapist as their top priority. According to a study, the extract of hibiscus has shown antidepressant-like properties. Also, it did not have any sedative properties, that modern antidepressants usually have.
Hibiscus is Anti-Diabetic
Diabetes is a chronic disease that destroys so many lives every day. The life of a diabetic person can be very troublesome, and therefore a refreshing drink that may relieve some of those problems can help a lot! As per research, the powder of the hibiscus flower can reduce glucose levels and improve lipid profile in our body, therefore it may improve the condition of some diabetic patients.
Hibiscus is also Antipyretic
Fevers and coughs are two of the most common ailments that almost anyone can contract these days. While taking an antibiotic seems like the best solution, but taking medicines regularly is not good for our bodies. We must incorporate healthy food choices into our lifestyles to prevent them from happening in the first place.
According to a study, the Hibiscus flowers have properties shown to help in bronchitis and relieve fevers and coughs. So next time you catch a fever, making a nice beverage containing Hibiscus just might help you get through it.
Hibiscus is Full of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that are very essential to our bodies. They protect us from the cellular damage caused by free radicals, which often leads to oxidative stress. If not controlled, it paves the way for chronic diseases such as heart conditions, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Oxidative stress also contributes to faster ageing.
Hibiscus tea is rich in powerful antioxidants, therefore it helps prevent the damage and diseases that the free radicals can cause. There are many other studies to find more about the antioxidant activity of hibiscus. Scientists in a study used hibiscus extract on rats to examine its antioxidant activity. They observed that the extract increased the number of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the damage caused by free radicals by up to 92%.
Another study conducted on rats delivered similar results. It was found that different parts of the hibiscus plant, such as the leaves, possess potent antioxidant properties. There is still a lot of room for human-based research done on hibiscus.
Hibiscus May Promote Liver Health
Needless to say, the liver is one of the most crucial organs of the human body. It secretes bile juice, excretes waste products, and metabolizes fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Maintaining proper liver health is very important, and studies suggest that hibiscus may help keep it working efficiently.
A study conducted on overweight people revealed that administering hibiscus extract for 12 weeks improved their liver steatosis, a medical term for fatty liver disease. If not treated, the extreme buildup of fat can lead to liver failure.
Another study, conducted on hamsters, revealed that hibiscus extract prevented potential damage-causing markers in the liver. This reduction of liver damage markers indicates the protective nature of the hibiscus flower.
In another study, the administration of hibiscus extract in rats resulted in a 65% increase in the drug-detoxifying enzymes that are present in the liver. Having hibiscus tea regularly could protect your liver against fatty liver disease and detoxify it as well.
May Help Prevent Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death. The uncontrollable division of cancer cells can result in tumours and damage to the immune system that can be fatal. The best way to deal with it is to try and prevent it. Hibiscus contains compounds such as polyphenols, that are helpful in the prevention of cancer.
Many lab studies have examined the potential effect of hibiscus extract on cancer cells. In a test-tube study, scientists suggested that hibiscus extract showed the ability to reduce the motility and invasiveness of two different types of cancers.
Another study revealed that hibiscus leaf extract helped prevent the spreading of prostate cancer cells in humans. Hibiscus extract has shown the ability to inhibit the growth of stomach cancer cells by almost 52% in other studies. (1)
Seems Interesting?
Making a cup of hibiscus tea is extremely easy, simply be steep in hot water, remove and enjoy! You can choose to sweeten it with honey or sugar for extra flavours, although they might bring in some calories with them.
Here at Ono Teas, we have crafted a pure, authentic experience for you to enjoy. Try the Full Petal Hibiscus Flower Tea – a refreshing, easy-to-make infusion that is the perfect addition to your wellness routine.
Sip it in the morning or have a cup after dinner. Either way, this elixir works wonders for your body. So try out the Full Petal Hibiscus Flower and share your experience with us. If you enjoyed this brew, make sure to check out our wide range of premium quality teas.
If you are hesitant about trying out new teas, here are 10 common myths about tea, debunked. After reading that, if you want to try something bright and healthy, go for Himalayan Butterfly Blue Pea Flower or Chamomile Lemongrass Tea.
Happy Shopping!