The Best Way to Use Hibiscus for Maximum Health Benefits
I knew someone who always called my hibiscus plants “biscuit trees”. Whatever you want to call them, they are very beautiful, with vibrant colours, and they are easy to grow in warm climates. But did you know that hibiscus has been used for health for hundreds of years?
Hibiscus makes a refreshing tea, and you can add the flowers and leaves to salads and other dishes to make them look and taste fabulous.
The Best Thing About Hibiscus
It looks and tastes lovely – but it contains more antioxidants than even green tea – wow!
The flowers are high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and polyphenols. The red and pink varieties contain anthocyanins. And it’s is also high in calcium and manganese.
Can You Eat or Drink All of It?
Can You Eat or Drink All of It?You can eat the whole flower as well as its seeds and leaves.
Hibiscus tea is made from the calyx (the bud that protects the flower) and the leaf of the plant.
What Conditions Can Benefit from Hibiscus?
It’s great for everyone. In clinical trials, researchers normally use hibiscus extract, so that they can control the dose exactly.
- Some studies have shown that it helps to regulate blood sugar levels, which helps if you have diabetes.
- If you have liver disease, hibiscus can reduce liver fat accumulation and liver damage.
- It can lower high blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol and fight inflammation, reducing your risk of heart disease.
- Hibiscus tea can be used as an aid to weight loss.
But what about side-effects? Read on ….
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Are there any side-effects?
It’s natural, so there’s nothing major.
Just to be extra safe, avoid it if you’re pregnant or lactating.
It can be quite acidic, so if you drink hibiscus tea often, it may erode the enamel on your teeth. Avoid this by drinking it through a reusable straw.
Try to avoid drinking more than 4 cups a day to avoid mineral build-up.
Where to Find Hibiscus
You can buy hibiscus tea in most grocery stores or online. Just watch out for added extras such as sugars – read the labels.
If you live in a warm climate, you can grow your own – without pesticides of course!
(I took a cutting from a friend’s plant and it’s now happily growing in my garden – I like the variegated leaves you can see in this photo – most varieties have lush green leaves)
You can eat young hibiscus leaves, shoots, and flowers raw in salads. You can also cook them in soups, stews, and curries.
And you can also add the tea to cocktails, punches, and other drinks. They’ll look great!
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Warm regards,
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