Hibiscus tea: benefits and harm to the body

“Karkade is the nectar of the east, courage also gives strength, it is a cure for any illness,” the beautiful words of an unknown poet speak of a bright red drink with a ruby ​​glow that attracts a pleasant aroma. This is Hibiscus tea, considered a drink of the pharaohs and people of royal blood.

Only in the last 20 years has there been a culture of drinking tea - green, jasmine, acacia and other exotic varieties from different countries, especially from China, Vietnam, India, Ceylon. Previously, industry did not particularly indulge citizens with diversity. They dispensed with baikhov, Georgian or Indian tea, at best - Ceylon. Only special tea connoisseurs ordered unusual tea varieties for acquaintances and friends traveling to Turkey or Egypt. So hibiscus was discovered. Now the situation has changed, the world is open, so the varieties of healthy teas that can become a medicine for everyone have spread everywhere.

What make hibiscus tea

Sudanese rose (Latin name Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a flower of a species of hibiscus, family Malvaceae, has several names: roselle, rosella, red sorrel, rose sharon. The birthplace of the Sudanese rose is considered to be India, from where it spread in Sri Lanka, China. She is also known in Thailand, Egypt, Sudan and Mexico.

Hibiscus (or hibiscus - in the Arabic manner) is obtained from inflorescences of the species of hibiscus flower, called the Sudanese rose. Petals exclusively maroon and blooms are collected, dried in a dry, warm place and packaged. A drink brewed with boiling water and infused is called hibiscus.

This ruby-colored drink, with a sour taste, with a delicate sweet aroma, is popular in countries of Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East. It has many names, which speaks of its popularity and success: the mallow of Venice, the drink of the pharaohs, the king of Egypt, red rose, kenaf, okra, kandahar, red tea. In Latin America, a drink made from Sudanese roses is called a “hamaika.” And in Egypt, it is considered a national drink that quenches thirst well and warms on cold evenings, which are not uncommon in tropical countries. Drink a drink with the addition of sugar, honey, hot and chilled, adding spices.

Tea perfectly quenches thirst, has many useful properties.

Composition and calorie content

Why is Karkada so attractive, why was it given so many positive epithets, why did it become a “drink of the kings”? What is the secret of such popularity? The chemical and vitamin-mineral composition of hibiscus is impressive. The following components were found here:

Vitamins
Reacting with other substances, they contribute to the elimination of antioxidants, improve health, increase immunity:

1. Niacin - niacin, participating in the reactions of oxide, recovery of the body, helps in the formation of enzymes and is involved in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
2. Retinol or Vitamin A - helps restore and maintain skin tone, participates in the body's mineralization process.
3. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - improves immunity, is involved in maintaining healthy bones, teeth, capillary walls and blood vessels.
4. Vitamin B group - helps to restore the body, cellular metabolism.
5. Tocopherol (Vitamin E) - contributes to anti-inflammatory processes.

Carotenoids, organic natural substances responsible for pigmentation:

• Anthocyanin - gives a ruby, wine tint to the drink;
• rutin - affects the hematopoietic system, removes antioxidants;
• beta-carotene - strengthens muscles, positively affects vision.

As well as:

1. Flavonoids increase immunity, resist the harmful effects from the outside, participate in the fight against parasites, cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system.
2. Organic acids that stimulate the support of the immune system improve the condition of the skin, rid the body of toxins, sharpen vision, and have a beneficial effect on the general condition of the human body (consisting of tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid). Organic fatty acids also contribute to healing and toning.
3. A high iron content is important for people with anemia. Iron activates brain activity, lowers blood pressure.
4. Pectin, reacting with poly - and monosaccharides, launches antioxidant protection. Helps cleanse the intestines, digestive tract from toxins and toxins, supports the liver and cleanses it.
5. Fiber is represented by dietary fiber that normalizes the digestive tract and intestines.
6. Magnesium helps the activity of the nervous system, relieves irritability, promotes a sense of calm, evens out emotional perception.
7. Calcium strengthens the skeletal system, tooth enamel, relieves muscle tension.
8. Vitamins of group F, responsible for fat metabolism, convert carbohydrates into useful energy, remove cholesterol from the blood. With their help, the body is being healed by restoring metabolism, the symptoms of diabetes disappear.

The calorie content of the drink is only 48 kcal per 100 g of dry inflorescences. A 250 ml teapot with 4 g of flower tea will give the body only 5 kcal. With honey and sugar, calorie content rises to 60–80 Kcal.

Useful properties of hibiscus tea

General benefit

A wide range of vitamin-mineral, acid composition of Hibiscus is recognized by all and is used as a panacea for all diseases and ailments in the Arab countries, especially in Egypt and Sudan.

Having such a number of useful minerals, vitamins and acids, hibiscus boasts a beneficial effect on the human body:

1. Antioxidants, pronounced in tea, remove carcinogens from the body, cleansing the blood, lymph and organs. Regularly brewed tea is cancer prevention.
2. Brewed warm tincture helps the gastrointestinal tract, relieves heartburn, reduces acidity.
3. Fiber frees the intestines from harmful toxins and toxins, making the intestinal tract work. Refreshes the microflora of the digestive tract thanks to a laxative effect.
4. The high content of ascorbic acid affects the resistance of the immune system to respiratory and viral diseases.
5. The Vitamin F group controls and lowers cholesterol.
6. Hibiscus flowers are used for cosmetic purposes in the form of lotions for skin problems.
7. Cholagogue properties are useful for the work of the gall bladder, liver. Stimulates the pancreas, relieves swelling.
8. Beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels, capillaries. Stimulates the work of the cardiovascular system, normalizes heart palpitations.
9. Helps the eyes, improves vision, strengthens the eye muscles. This is a preventative tool for those who work a lot in front of the computer.
10. With colds, it normalizes the temperature, relieves fever, providing an antibacterial effect.
11. Actively affects the genitourinary system.
12. Removes toxins by breaking down ethyl alcohol. Facilitates the work of the lungs, respiratory tract.
13. Fights parasites, helminths.

For women

Women are special lovers of new varieties of tea. Red hibiscus tea was appreciated by the fair sex, who experienced the effects of this drink.Sweet and sour taste, unusual wine color, medicinal components give the tea the properties of ragweed from a paradise.

1. Tea is useful for women due to its effect on the hematopoietic system and hemoglobin, which is very important on critical days. Relieves muscle tone before menstrual days, reduces soreness.
2. Tea is very useful for menopause. It normalizes hormonal levels, affects the nervous system, calms and relaxes the body. "Tides" during menopause pass unnoticed and do not lead to panic attacks.
3. The condition of hair and scalp improves, dryness disappears. Curls become silky, elastic, the structure of brittle and split ends changes.
4. The unusual taste and composition of the drink affect the mood, increase stress resistance. Even with a single dose, it is noticeable that tea is poured by a life-giving and invigorating source throughout the body, relaxing every cell, raising the mood and relieving fatigue.
5. The drink strengthens the walls of blood vessels, helping to reduce the appearance of capillary nets, helps with venous expansion. But before taking a drink for medicinal purposes, it is better to consult a doctor.
6. Tea affects the condition of the skin, maintaining youth and slowing down aging.

For men

Arab men drink hibiscus all their lives, indicating that in this way they improve their health, and in the form of a big secret they say that this is a natural aphrodisiac. Tea has become a part of culture, a tradition that positively affects the health of the nation. Karkade helps to transfer a hot climate, maintains a balance of body temperature at the very peak of solar activity.

In addition to properties that are useful to the fairer sex, the drink also has a positive effect for men with regular intake:

1. Tea increases potency and male longevity, affecting the genitourinary system and the prostate.
2. Tea aficionados claim that male infertility cannot resist a drink. Perhaps this, if you take into account the composition of Hibiscus.
3. Men are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases than women, so it is important to drink tea from hibiscus for prevention. Thus, the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and bradycardia can be reduced.
4. Troubles and difficulties in the life of men are most often kept within themselves, hushing up problems and driving themselves into stress. The drink positively affects the nervous system, calming and removing irritability, normalizes the emotional state.
5. Active sports, hard physical labor are easily tolerated if you take tea to restore strength and the body. It increases stamina and relaxes muscles, relieving tension and fatigue.
6. The drink quickly removes toxins from the body, removes alcohol intoxication, restores water balance, removes the symptoms of a hangover, tones and energizes.

During pregnancy

The individual characteristics of the body may be a contraindication in taking hibiscus during pregnancy. Food products that have a bright yellow, orange and red color should be entered with caution in the menu. This will make it possible to avoid allergic reactions of the body, the appearance of a rash and swelling and other troubles.

A doctor’s consultation will help expectant mothers choose the right nutrition that does not harm the fetus. If there are no obstacles to the use of hibiscus tea, then you can drink tea with health benefits:

1. Tea relieves toxicosis, nausea, poor health that occurs at the beginning of pregnancy, and improves intestinal motility.
2. Favorably affects the development of the fetus, helps the formation of the nervous system.
3. It strengthens the vascular system, which affects the saturation of the blood with useful nutrients, helps the proper development of the child.

In the last 2 months of pregnancy, it is better to abandon the daily intake of tea.

When breastfeeding

For a young mother who is breastfeeding, the issue of nutrition is very acute. Bad ecology, poor-quality products - all this affects the health of women and children. Many are prone to allergic reactions that poison life and health.

The food that the mother takes is reflected in the quality of breast milk and in the baby. So that the child does not grow anemic, weak and unhealthy, it is important to accustom him to different foods from infancy, gradually introducing products from simple to complex into the mother’s nutritional diet. The hibiscus drink undoubtedly has such properties that distinguish it from the general range of products. Tea promotes the formation of milk, activating the mother’s vital energy, gives strength, enriches the blood with iron, strengthens the immune system.

A weak infusion of hibiscus is quite suitable for the first intake of a nursing mother. Observation and control of the child will immediately help identify problems if they occur. In this case, it is better to cancel the flower tea. In the absence of problems, you can take hibiscus, but strictly observing the proportions and quantity (no more than 1 cup in 2-3 days). Over time, you can increase both the strength and the number of receptions. It is better to refuse a spoonful of sugar in tea.

For kids

Vitamins, amino acids contained in hibiscus are also useful for the growing body, children from 4 months, when complementary foods with cereals and mashed potatoes begin. But, of course, it should be a weak warm infusion. As the baby grows, it can be added to the diet on an ongoing basis.

The drink strengthens the immune system, affects bones, joints, teeth, eyesight, fights bacteria and viruses. If you regularly give hibiscus tea to your child (but not more than 1 cup per day), he will restore strength, activate brain activity, and increase efficiency.

Tea is best taken after breakfast so that it affects the body throughout the day, but in no case on an empty stomach. Otherwise, unpleasant sensations in the stomach cannot be avoided.

What is useful Hibiscus tea for weight loss

Overweight people who want to lose weight, the “drink of the pharaohs” helps to start metabolic processes in the body and accelerate the metabolism reaction, which, ultimately, leads to weight loss. In this case, you should switch to proper nutrition, do physical work. The invigorating exercise in the mornings before breakfast with the obligatory reception of tea from Sudan will give a good result and delight in weight loss.

The composition and properties of the Hibiscus drink contribute to the removal of toxins from the body. Fruit acids in the composition relieve swelling, remove excess fluid, accelerate metabolism. The group of vitamins F is involved in the metabolic reaction, converting carbohydrates into energy, which affects a decrease in volume at the waist, an improvement in the general condition of the body, and restoration of skin color.

Researchers and tea fans have developed a special schedule for losing weight. For 3 weeks you need to drink brewed hibiscus after eating 3 times a day. After completing the course, take a break for 10 days. A positive result should be fixed by a repeated course (for another 3 weeks). Physical exercises, the transition to food with a lot of vegetables, fruits, cereals, with the absence of smoked, salty delicacies, reducing the number of meat products, as well as drinking tea from Sudanese roses will give the desired weight and shape.

Hibiscus tea in medicine

Traditional medicine, of course, helps in solving health problems. But when it comes to serious diseases of the blood and internal organs, the recommendations and advice of the treating doctor cannot be dispensed with.

In composition and usefulness, the decoction of the hibiscus petals is superior to green tea. Acting at the cellular level on organs, blood vessels, the central nervous system, hibiscus tea has a beneficial effect on the body.The drink has a number of positive properties, which is applicable for medical purposes.

With diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a “silent killer,” a disease that occurs in people around the world. In a neglected state and with late detection, it causes irreversible consequences. Depending on the type of diabetes, insulin treatment and support is prescribed. A disease can be controlled if it was detected early. Following a diet, following the recommendations of a doctor, the patient can live long, be active and energetic.

Taking hibiscus in the form of prevention and treatment, one must take into account the following properties:

1. Contains captopril in its natural form, a biologically active substance that lowers blood sugar.
2. Lowers and removes bad cholesterol from the blood.
3. Positively affects the work of the heart, the state of blood vessels.
4. Relieves irritability, calms nerves, improves sleep.
5. Increases the body's resistance to bacteria, fungi, parasites, which are susceptible to diabetics.
6. Quickly removes residues and breakdown products of drugs taken by a patient with diabetes from the body.
7. It facilitates the work of the pancreas, helping metabolism, activating metabolic reactions.
8. Reduces weight.
9. Stimulates the liver.

Hibiscus diabetes can be recommended as a prophylactic that helps to better undergo treatment and maintain the patient’s health. Tea cannot replace a full-fledged treatment. On the day, 2-3 cups of 200 ml, hot or cold, can support the body and help the healing process.

Important: Glycemic index of Hibiscus - 0 units.

With pancreatitis

In acute pancreatitis, an inflammatory process occurs in the body, accompanied by digestive upset, often vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, general weakness and lethargy. They are the cause of dehydration and the loss of beneficial minerals and salts that support the body in working condition. At this stage, you can take hibiscus tea, but only in freshly brewed and cooled form, which will help restore the water-salt balance of the body.

Hibiscus affects the pancreas, introducing it into a healthy state to restore metabolism. It is worth paying attention that in the acute stage you should not take acidic and bitter foods, so it is better to limit the amount of drink to 1-2 glasses per day.

With gastritis

By increasing the acidity level in the stomach, hibiscus can provoke peptic ulcer and gastritis. To improve the general condition and restore strength that could go on a sleepless night due to illness, you can drink a freshly brewed and cooled glass of hibiscus. Constant intake in large quantities should be limited.

For constipation

Red tea acts on the intestines as a laxative. But with large portions and frequent admission, he can manifest himself in the opposite action, causing unpleasant constipation. In case of constipation, you can cook a decoction, and eat the petals, carefully chewing in the pulp.

With gout

The diuretic properties of red tea contribute to the elimination of uric acid from the body resulting from the breakdown of purine. It relieves swelling, normalizes metabolism, restores the water-salt balance. For a positive effect on the body of red tea, you need to take it regularly, 3 times a day.

For the liver

To cleanse the liver and remove harmful toxins from it, you should take freshly brewed hibiscus with mint leaves, cool and add a little honey or sugar. For prevention, it is enough to drink 1 cup per day for 10 days, to relieve intoxication - 10 days, 2-3 cups per day. It is necessary to cancel the intake of hibiscus in the stage of exacerbation of chronic liver disease. With gallstone disease, the reception of a red rose is prohibited.

Hibiscus tea increases or decreases blood pressure?

High blood pressure and its accompanying pathologies, like diabetes, are in the forefront of human diseases, threatening a hypertensive crisis, stroke at an early age. In recent years, there has been a “rejuvenation" of the disease due to many environmental and nutritional factors.

Hibiscus and its properties, when used correctly, can significantly reduce blood pressure, thin the blood. For those with low blood pressure, it is best to refrain from tea or take it only when hot. Observations and studies have shown that a hot drink increases pressure, causing vasodilation and a strong outflow of blood.

Hypertensive patients should take tea in the cold. This will help to avoid a hypertensive crisis caused by a sharp surge in pressure when taking hot tea. Taking tea regularly at the same time, after eating or 30 minutes before eating, you can keep the pressure level at the same level. Daily self-monitoring of pressure for 10 days after the start of reception gives a clear picture. By adjusting the time and amount of tea, you can get rid of high blood pressure. An important role in this is played by lifestyle and nutrition.

Hibiscus tea in cosmetology

Folk remedies using hibiscus have a wide range of effects, they are used not only for medical reasons, but also in cosmetology. It would be strange that tea with such beneficial properties would not be used by practical women to maintain the beauty of the body, skin and hair. Dermatologists and cosmetologists recommend creams containing hibiscus for mixed and oily skin.

In the composition of face creams with regenerating and regenerating properties, hibiscus plays an important role - strengthens small capillaries and blood vessels, moisturizes, smoothes and smoothes the skin. Fruit acids contained in hibiscus are especially effective in products for exfoliating and narrowing pores, masks designed for cleansing procedures.

Hibiscus is used in the manufacture of cosmetics with an antiseptic effect. These are gels, foam after shaving, bath extracts, shampoos, creams and tonics. At home, you can also make skin and body care products from a red rose. A pharmacy hibiscus is suitable for making a decoction, since it is sold in the form of dried petals. To prepare the broth, you need to take 2 tsp. 200 ml of petals, brew with boiling water and bring to a boil again. It is important to know that the decoction should be done in a porcelain or glass teapot, using not an iron spoon, but wooden sticks or porcelain spoons.

Mask (oily skin)

• Rosella broth - 2 tbsp.
• Oatmeal (oatmeal) - 2 tsp.

Mix the ingredients. Apply to problem areas of the skin. Stand for 15 minutes. Rinse off.

Rejuvenation mask (for all skin types)

• A handful of hibiscus - about 2 g.
• Cold water - 1 tbsp.

Fill the hibiscus with water so that the petals straighten and soak in water. Spread them between 2 thin layers of cotton. Put the resulting mask on the face, décolleté and neck. After 20 minutes, remove. It can also be put on the eyelids to relieve swelling. The mask helps to reduce the appearance of acne and blackheads, reduces greasiness.

Lifting mask for mature skin

• A handful of petals - about 2–4 g.
• Cold water - 1 cup
• Honey - 1 tsp

Aged in cold water, mix the petals with honey, apply to problem areas of the face (nasolabial fold, facial wrinkles, nose bridge). Wash off with warm water after 15 minutes. It can be used for 10 days or 2 weeks, after which the result will be noticeable, the oily sheen will disappear.

Peeling mask

• Sudanese rose - 1 tbsp.
• Boiling water - 1/3 Art.
• Ground coffee - 1 tbsp

Brew petals. Pour ground coffee into strained infusion. Allow to cool and insist. Brush facial skin with massaging movements. Wash with a swab of cool water.

Hair conditioner

• Red rose - 1 tsp.
• Boiling water - 1 l.

Hibiscus pour hot water. Pour into a thermos and leave for 1 hour. Filter the resulting broth through a sieve. Apply to rinse hair after each wash. Use within 1 month, depending on the result, can be extended by another as much. The conditioner strengthens and protects the hair from the harmful effects of the environment, does not allow them to quickly become contaminated.

Harm and contraindications

Contraindications to the use of hibiscus relate to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and a number of other pathologies:

Ulcer and gastritis. Since tea has a high acidity, with peptic ulcer its reception is undesirable. With gastritis, it is better not to take it, but to increase the recovery of the body, you can limit yourself to 1 cup of a weak solution per day.

1. Stones in the bile ducts and bladder, in the kidneys, severe renal disease.
2. The acute stage of any chronic disease.
3. Hypotension.
4. Pregnancy in the last months of gestation.
5. Allergy to hibiscus and individual intolerance to the components.

Note:

1. Tea may decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills.
2. After taking tea, it is important to rinse your mouth or use a tube to protect your teeth from the negative effects of acids.

How to choose and store hibiscus tea

High-quality tea with all of these properties, with useful acids, vitamins and minerals, can be bought in countries where it is considered a national drink. In particular, these are Egypt, Sudan, Angola and the Philippines, Mexico. Local sellers offer goods from different regions, which differs in appearance, smell, but the beneficial properties of divine ragweed are preserved in any of the species.

Goods sold in our stores may be imitation, fake. For the sake of profit, manufacturers replace natural products with artificial substitutes, using dyes, dried algae, taste mimics, and biological additives. You cannot be 100% sure of the exclusivity of tea bags where it is ground into powder. Better to take packages with real dried hibiscus petals. They are sold in large markets or pharmacies. A careful examination of the petals and bracts of the flower will help to identify the quality of the goods. Petals should be saturated maroon, not black. Light specks of pink color should be clearly visible.

Storage
Store in a dry place, without hypothermia and without overheating. Direct sunlight should not fall on the tea. The optimal shelf life and shelf life of the petals, subject to storage conditions, is 3 years.

How to make hibiscus tea

Tea lovers know 3 ways to brew a Sudanese rose:

• cooking;
• hot method;
• cold brewing.

Cooking
An authentic brewing method is the Egyptian version, where tea is poured with boiling water and brought to a boil in hot sand, according to the Turkish coffee principle. For a 250 ml mug, take 2 pinches of the petals - this is about 4 g. The brewed drink is filtered by a strainer and drunk in the company of good people, in small sips. It turns out that the broth is enough for 4 small cups of fragrant and tasty tea. Egyptians add vanilla or cinnamon, ginger or honey to tea. In our conditions, instead of hot sand, you can use the stove.

Hot
At home, tea can be brewed in containers of glass, porcelain, ceramics per calculation - 2 tsp. to 300 ml of water. Pour boiling water and let it brew for at least 10 minutes. You can enjoy a ruby ​​drink by adding sugar, honey or other spices to taste. It is better to take bottled, purified and soft water.

Cold
The next method is based on the use of cold water (300 ml), which is filled with hibiscus (2 tsp). The kettle is put on fire and brought to a boil - the first bubbles should appear on the surface. At this stage, remove the container from the fire.Let it brew for 3 hours. The broth prepared in this way is used for medicinal purposes, it preserves the maximum of useful properties.

Tea should have a beautiful, ruby ​​or deep burgundy, not cloudy color. The taste is sour-spicy, not bitter. The aroma is pronounced and unique.

How to drink hibiscus tea

To maintain the tone of the body and for preventive purposes, it is better to drink Sudanese rose in the morning, after breakfast for 1 hour or 30 minutes before lunch or dinner.

For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to drink tea 30 minutes after eating and medicine.

How much can I drink per day

For the manifestation of preventive properties and restoration of strength, it is recommended to consume no more than 3 cups of tea per day. A larger amount can raise blood pressure and cause unpleasant constipation. For therapeutic effects, 1-2 cups per day is sufficient.

Can I drink at night

3 hours before bedtime, it is better to refuse tea so as not to toss and turn in insomnia.

Which tea is healthier: hot or cold

Cold-brewed tea for medicinal drinking will bring more benefits, since with this method, the healing properties of rosella are preserved.

A hot, classic way is acceptable for healthy people who do not have problems with internal organs and chronic diseases.

Interesting facts about Hibiscus tea

1. Egyptian hibiscus has a bright sour taste, Mexican - a bit bittersweet.
2. You can add spices, mint and lemon to the drink.
3. Brewed petals can be used to add to hot dishes, soups, to salads. Meat and fish dishes will get a little acidity from the digested petals.

An interesting and unusual discovery may be the fact that all parts of the hibiscus plant are used for food:

• leaves go to the salad;
• flowers used in confectionery;
• flowers are also stewed with meat and vegetables, added to salads and sauces;
• roasted seeds are added to soups and to hot dishes.

Having learned all the intricacies of the Sudanese rose, you can take a different look at the plain and strange dried petals on store shelves. The use of rosella for a person is undeniable, but only with the right approach and use.

Hibiscus tea photo