The hibiscus flower is not just known for its beauty in the movies and in tourist brochures, it also has significant medicinal uses, and it makes a great tea for those hot, tropical, summer days. So, wear it, show it, drink it. the hibiscus has proven to be a queen among flowers.
Table of Contents
About the Hibiscus Flower
Cultural Significance
As the state flower of Hawaii, necklaces threaded with many hibiscus flowers are given to visitors to the island. Needless to say, if you see a lady with a hibiscus behind her left ear, it is usually a sign of being single in Hawaiian culture.
While, on the other hand, in South Korea, the hibiscus, a national symbol, is often used in weddings to symbolize never-ending love.
And in Malaysia, this beautiful flower is seen on their currency, representing life and courage. The Egyptians, since time immemorial, have always loved the ruby red version of the flower, and make a punch with it that has a calming effect.
Uses of the Hibiscus Flower
- teas for medical purposes
- food as in salads
- decorations
- hair dye
- skincare
- heal wounds with the leaves
Hibiscus Tea Benefits
- lowering of blood pressure
- Antibacterial properties
- lowers fevers
- eases stomach complaints
- possible cancer-fighting properties
- clear skin conditions
Beauty Benefits
Hibiscus tea has been used for a long time to lighten skin tone and clear dark sunspots from the skin. Sometimes, taken orally, and at other times applied as a skin cream to directly target the areas that need nourishment or lightening.
In the beauty industry, it is believed that the properties of the hibiscus flower keep the skin looking younger and fresher since it is rich in antioxidants, not to mention it also helps in controlling the oiliness of the skin while protecting it from bacterial infections.
Recipe for direct application to the skin and to clear pores
- Step 1: Crush four hibiscus flowers with a mortar and pestle
- Step 2: Mix in a tablespoon of raw honey
- Step 3: Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of hot water
Application to Skin
Mix all three ingredients, but add only enough of the hot water to make a paste with the honey and flowers. Apply to the skin and leave for 20 minutes before washing off.
The effect is immediate. Your skin will be clean, soft and more relaxed. Who needs Botox when you have hibiscus flowers, right?
Interestingly, hibiscus flowers are not just good for skincare but also beneficial for hair. Since the amino acids in the organic hibiscus flowers help to produce keratin, a key building block in hair health, Ayurvedic medicine has long since been using it in conjunction with several nut oils to reduce hair fall and stimulate growth.
Hibiscus Tea Medicinal Benefits
Primarily, hibiscus tea is used to lower blood pressure and may even boost liver health, according to the website Healthline.com “One study in 19 overweight people found that taking a hibiscus extract for 12 weeks reduced liver steatosis. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to liver failure”.
This is where hibiscus tea steps in to save the day. Hibiscus flowers and leaves contain compounds called polyphenols that are found naturally in plant foods and are said to help fight these free radicals that can damage the liver.
Hibiscus is also popular for its fat-fighting properties in weight loss programs. Apparently, a 5% or more alcoholic hibiscus extract can prevent the absorption of fats, and block the development of cells that store fat in the body.
In some countries, such as Malaysia, a poultice made of hibiscus leaves and flowers is used to reduce swelling in the neck area of children with the mumps. Many Southeast Asian countries use the extract of the leaves and flowers as a cough expectorant as well.
Side Effects of Hibiscus Teas and Extracts
Hibiscus infused teas also lower blood pressure, so if you already suffer from low blood pressure, its best to find another supplement for your overall health. It is also believed that hibiscus extract can produce a feeling of intoxication (yes, you can get drunk on hibiscus tea), so it is not recommended to drive or operate machinery after drinking hibiscus infused tea.
If you want to use hibiscus but have a medical condition, consult your doctor for professional advice on dosages and safety concerns.
Rosehip and Hibiscus Tea Benefits
Since we aim to fight free radicals in our bodies by ingesting healthy teas, a good combination would be rosehip and hibiscus. Rosehip is known for its high content of vitamin C, and hibiscus for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Rosehip and Hibiscus Face Serum
Rosehip and hibiscus are a common blend for a very effective face serum sold under different brand names in the beauty industry. This combination contains vitamins, A, D and E, along with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which are a crucial combination for healthy skin.
In fact, rosehip and hibiscus serum has even been dubbed ‘natural Botox’ because of its ability to ‘relax’ the skin, thus restoring youthfulness and freshness to complexions of men and women, alike.
Hibiscus extract is known for its cleansing action on the skin, possessing elements that help balance pH levels, not to mention the moisturizing and cooling effect it produces too. Furthermore, hibiscus is loaded with alpha hydroxyl acids and amino acids, further vital elements for good skin health.
Rosehip and Hibiscus Tea as a Drink
Drinking a rosehip and hibiscus flower tea infusion may help rid your body of things like inflammatory diseases and could even fight cancer, according to some studies.
While none of these studies have been proven 100% conclusive, it is important to note how people have reported improvements in some conditions, such as settling upset stomachs, relieving constipation, and even experiencing a feeling of calm after drinking rosehip-hibiscus tea.
The combination of rose hips and hibiscus flowers definitely creates a feeling of all-round wellness in the body.
Since hibiscus and rosehip teas are naturally caffeine and calorie-free, as well as rich in antioxidants, it is a very important support to the immune system, and even protects against type 2 diabetes, according to medical studies.
Too much of a good thing…
Just like all good things, even hibiscus extracts should be used carefully and not overdone.
Hibiscus Tea Hallucinations – Fallacy or Fact?
There is a rumor that consuming hibiscus tea can sometimes create the effect of drunkenness and many websites will warn us about operating machinery or trying to drive when we have had hibiscus tea.
This almost sounds unbelievable, but when we take into consideration the calming effects hibiscus tea produces, perhaps it is best to heed the advice of the professionals. However, not everybody is affected in this way, and most of us might consider it just a ‘story’.
There are also real stories on the internet, with examples, of how this wonderful tea can create an effect on our senses, and the author of the blog Teaendblog.com actually shares her own experience (albeit in a positive manner) of how she was affected by drinking hibiscus tea. Read her story at this link.
Lowering blood pressure with hibiscus tea
Several clinical studies have shown how using hibiscus teas have actually lowered blood pressure. One such study was undertaken at Tufts University in Boston, and is published in the US National Library of Medicine, detailing the ‘findings’.
A six-week study was conducted on a group of 65 people between the ages of 30 and 70, who had mild blood pressure and cholesterol issues. Some were given real hibiscus tea, while a control group was given a placebo of colored water, which emulated the hibiscus tea.
The drinkers of the actual hibiscus tea showed a drop of 7 points in their blood pressure, while the control group only showed a 1 point drop, which is significant in medical terms and as Diane L. McKay, Ph.D., of Tufts University in Boston, indicates about the study on the website WebMD, “even small changes in blood pressure … when maintained over time … will reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.”
How to dry Hibiscus flowers and leaves
There are two best-known ways to dry hibiscus flowers and leaves for your tea. The first is to leave them out in the sun for about 3-7 days, bringing them in at evening time and only putting them out when the sun is out again, as leaving them out at night means the dew will reverse drying process. The other way is to dry them in a dehydrator, or on a low temperature in your oven.
The Drying Process (dehydrator or oven)
Remove the part of the plant called the calyx, spread the calyxes on the drying rack inside your dehydrator or your oven, depending on which you are going to be drying it in.
The petals can also be dried in this manner, but the drying time would have to be adjusted accordingly.
For example, a 100g of calyxes can take 24 hours to dry in an oven set at a very low temperature of 60 degrees Celsius (with the shelf on the setting as far away from the heating element as possible).
The drying time in a professional dehydrator will be less but you would have to set it according to the directions of the equipment provided (usually 1-4 hours drying time on a temperature of 35-46 degrees Celsius).
Solar drying or outdoor drying, on the other hand, can take up to 7 days.
Tips for best results when drying hibiscus flowers or calyxes
- Use organically grown flowers to avoid contamination by pesticides.
- Pick calyxes 24-48 hours after the flower has bloomed for best flavors and colors.
- It’s best to harvest the calyxes when they turn red and the flower begins to fade.
- Spread the flowers or calyxes evenly on the drying rack for best results. Do not let them lie on top of each other.
Hibiscus and Fruit Blended Tea Recipes
Here are some delicious tea ideas for your hibiscus infused drinks.
How to Make Rosehip and Hibiscus Tea
The following makes two great cups of Rosehip Hibiscus tea:
Ingredients:
½ a teaspoon of rosehips, 1 tablespoon of dried hibiscus calyxes, 2 tablespoons of dried, ground, stevia leaf, 2 cups of boiling water, A teaspoon of brown malt sugar or honey, per cup, for sweetness
Method:
- Step 1: Put the dry ingredients into a glass bowl, pour the hot water onto the dry ingredients.
- Step 2: Allow it to steep (brew) for ten minutes.
- Step 3: Add the malt sugar or honey as required (e.g. one teaspoon per cup).
- Step 4: Remember that stevia is also a natural sweetener so the tea will already have a sweeter taste.
How to Make Hibiscus Green Tea
Here’s an unusual tea blend in that green tea has always ‘enjoyed’ being a ‘standalone’ tea for health in South East Asia, but adding hibiscus could just be what is needed to perk it up a bit. This recipe makes about 2-3 cups of tea.
Ingredients:
¼ cup of hibiscus calyxes (dried and crushed or whole), ¼ cup of loose dried green tea leaves, ¼ teaspoon of dried stevia leaf, A teaspoon of honey
Method:
- Step 1: Put the dried hibiscus and green tea into two separate glass bowls or big cups with a cup of hot water each to steep in.
- Step 2: Add stevia to one of them, while steeping.
- Step 3: After ten minutes, combine the two teas and stir in a teaspoon of honey if you want it sweeter, bearing in mind the hibiscus will make the tea quite tart (sort of sharp-tasting and sour at the same time).
- Step 4: Finally, pour through a sieve straight into your cup or into a teapot for two, and enjoy a refreshing and healthy drink.
Finally, pour through a sieve straight into your cup or into a teapot for two, and enjoy a refreshing and healthy drink.
How to Make Raspberry Hibiscus Tea
Actually, because this tea is often served cold, with a twist of lime and soda, it might better be called a cold drink, rather than a tea. This recipe makes 2-3 cups of tea but can stretch further if it is poured over ice cubes (on the rocks) on a hot summer’s day.
Ingredients:
½ a cup of hibiscus calyxes (dried or whole, not raw), ½ a cup of fresh raspberries, A sprig of mint (a little head of fresh mint with 4-5 small leaves on it), 3 cups of hot water, A teaspoon of honey
Method:
- Step 1: Pour 3 cups of boiled over the hibiscus tea and allow it to steep for a few minutes.
- Step 2: Then add the raspberry fruit, the mint, and the honey.
- Step 3: Allow it to steep for another 15 minutes before putting it in the fridge.
- Step 4: It can be served cool, over ice.
To Your Health
Let’s drink a toast to our health and the hibiscus, an intoxicating flower that, in all its forms, has stood the test of time – from the ancient Egyptians, to modern-day medicine and the beauty industry.
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