Herb Tea --- Hibiscus Tea

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.

It has a tart, cranberry-like flavor, and sugar is often added to sweeten the beverage. The tea contains vitamin C and minerals and is used traditionally as a mild medicine. In west Sudan a white hibiscus flower is favored for its bitter taste and is customarily served to guests. Hibiscus tea contains 15-30% organic acids, including citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid. It also contains acidic polysaccharides and flavonoid glycosides, such as cyanidin and delphinidin, that give it its characteristic deep red colour.

Antioxidant benefits

The hibiscus tea has tremendous health benefits including antioxidant benefits. In the human body we go through what we call oxidation which causes two electrons to break apart which causes two oxygen particles to wander around. These wandering particles can harm healthy cells and cause cells to become cancerous. Consumption of the beverage will help you reduce the damage of oxidation and help soothe your body at the same time.

Boost your Immune System

The consumption of this beverage will help you boost the strength of your immune system. Like other teas, hibiscus tea contains vitamin C and consecutive drinking will affect your immune system strengthen it. The increased vitamin C is believed to improve the productivity of white blood cells which are responsible for combatting bacterial infections and viruses. Constant drinking of hibiscus tea will lead to getting sick less often and improve your general health. A general increase in health can help you achieve a stress free life free of all problems!

Digestion and bowel help

This tea helps you digest your food, releasing enzymes and acids to break down food for better nutrient absorption. It can act as a low-level laxative which can help with constipation and gas problems. It can help keep the bowels healthy and increase the efficiency by releasing the proper enzymes to help with the task at hand; it can help direct water to the bowels and unblock a bowel. Solving gas related problems can help reduce heart burn and an upset stomach. The tea also helps relax muscles which can further assist with constipation and help bowel movements.

Water Control

The body is made up of 70% water which further indicates how important water is to our body. Drinking too much water can lead to feelings of bloating and can lead to different problems. Drinking hibiscus tea will help you retain water in your body without feeling bloated or uneasy. The tea can help you maintain the water percentages and keeps you hydrated. It can be used for better healing of your muscles, directing the water that you drink into the most vital area of the body that need healing.

Weight Control

By controlling the amount of water that is inside your body, you can effectively control the weight that you put on. Hibiscus tea also inhibits the production of amylase which is an enzyme that breaks down sugars and starches. The lower production of amylase will affect how much carbohydrates you can consume, reducing the amount of food that you can eat. This provides an excellent weight loss method; drinking hibiscus tea will reduce the urge your body has to eat (less inclination to eat!) making it much easier to reach your diet goals.

Pregnancy

Drinking the tea while pregnant is not advised due to the stimulation of menstruation that the tea provides. This can lead to a miscarriage in most women. The cleansing properties found in the tea can be counter active to the growth of a new born and is therefore strongly advised to stay away from the drink while pregnant.

Pain Control

The beverage can be used to relieve pain and is used as a burn ointment. Dipping a cloth into some hibiscus tea and applying to the area of question will lead to some great results. The pain relieving properties also possess a negative drawback. Through constant consumption of the tea, the body can learn to become immune to many over the counter pain killers. This can be regarded as both a good or negative aspect of the tea depending on your dependency on pain killers.

Hibiscus tea has many health benefits and is used throughout the world as a common beverage to unite people together. In Sudan the tea is engraved in their traditions and holds a high, honorable symbol.

Resource from :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus_tea

http://www.healthylifestyletea.com/hibiscus-tea/