Can Hibiscus Tea Be Made From Any Hibiscus Plants? | Livestrong.com (2024)

FAQs

Can I use any hibiscus for tea? ›

Tea makers report that all parts of the hibiscus plant can be used, but that the flowers make a sweeter tea, and the leaves make a more astringent tea.

Bring the hibiscus flowers and water to a boil in a large pot. Once the water starts boiling, switch off the flame and cover the vessel. At this point, you can also add other herbs or add ins such as basil, lemon grass, lemon zest etc. Let the tea steep for 15-20 minutes.

Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea made from the petals and sepals — the green plant part found just below the petals — of the hibiscus plant. There are several hundred different species of the hibiscus plant, although the dried flowers from the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant are most common for teas.

Commonly known as Rosella and Jamaican Sorrel, Florida Cranberry, and scientifically as Hibiscus sabdariffa, the flower, fruit, and leaves are all edible. Edible hibiscus is a short-day plant that grows in tropical and subtropical areas.

No part of the Hibiscus plant, the leaves or the flowers, are poisonous to humans, so it is safe to have the plant around children, toddlers, and babies.

And as I said before, don't drink hibiscus tea if you're on medication for blood pressure or blood sugar. The combination of both can lower either one too much.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers hibiscus safe when consumed in food. However, it's possible to have an allergic reaction to the plant. In very high doses, hibiscus may cause liver damage. “You can certainly add hibiscus into your diet safely,” Czerwony says.

Hundreds of hibiscus species exist, but the most popular edible variety is known as roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa.

Hibiscus sabdariffa is a subspecies best known for its edibility, and it's the hibiscus variety traditionally used to make hibiscus tea. It's a large, fast-growing, sun-loving shrub native to West Africa.

According to the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, a study of 70 hypertensive patients found that those who drank 2 cups of hibiscus tea in the morning on an empty stomach experienced improved conditions for one month, compared with those who took high blood pressure medication.

How long do you steep hibiscus flowers for tea? ›

Infuse your hibiscus in the four cups of hot water for at least 10 minutes. Taste for strength and steep more if you prefer. At this time you are welcome to introduce lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon.

All parts of hibiscus plants are used traditionally. Due to their soothing (demulcent) and astringent properties, the flowers and leaves have been traditionally used to treat conditions such as cancer and gallbladder attacks, to lower blood pressure , to relieve dry coughs , and topically to treat skin afflictions .

Hibiscus tea should be completely avoided by infants under six months—who should only be getting breast milk—as well as kids with kidney failure, who can't efficiently excrete it. There is also a concern about the impressive manganese level in hibiscus tea.

The antioxidants found in hibiscus not only support a healthy heart, but also protect other important organs of the body. For instance, free radicals can be harmful to the kidneys; however, some studies found that the antioxidants in hibiscus were helpful in restoring and supporting damaged kidneys.

People make Hibiscus Tea with dried flower petals bought from stores or stored in containers. But it can be made from flowers also! Red coloured Hibiscus flowers are mostly preferred for making tea. The recipe for you is here: Step 1.

Hibiscus tea has been repeatedly shown to lower blood pressure in those with existing high blood pressure. Their blood pressure decreased around 10% systolic and 12% diastolic. The effect may be noticeable after just two weeks. You would need to drink about 3 cups a day.

Drinking a glass of warm hibiscus tea on a daily basis elevates brain power, memory, concentration and boosts moods, thereby alleviating depression, anxiety, for improved nervous system functions and heightened productivity at work and home.

In a new study, drinking three cups of herbal tea containing hibiscus each day lowered blood pressure. "Most of the commercial herbal tea blends in the United States contain hibiscus," says Diane L. McKay, PhD, of Tufts University in Boston.

Bring the water to a boil and as soon as it boils reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

The flowers, leaves, and seeds of the hibiscus can all be consumed, but the part that is used most often is the calyx.

Can you steep hibiscus tea too long? ›

Herbal teas like hibiscus are a lot easier to brew than other types of teas since it doesn't get overly bitter if brewed for more than 5 minutes so don't worry if it steeps for longer. Hibiscus is often used in drinks to naturally color it pink.

Prune these in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Remove any dead branches. Cut dead tips back to a healthy side branch or above a bud. Limit additional pruning to what is needed to shape or control the plant's size.

Hibiscus is considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts in tea (2 to 4 cups per day) and foods. However, Kristin Draayer, M.S., RDN, advises that high doses can cause toxicity. Draayer also notes that hibiscus may interact with certain medications, especially those used to treat high blood pressure or diabetes.

Hibiscus can be grown in containers or planted in garden beds outdoors, but all things considered, most folks find it a bit easier to care for them in containers. The beauty of container gardening is the freedom to move your plants around to make sure their needs are being met.

Oral consumption of hibiscus flower extracts can lower total cholesterol levels by as much as twenty-two per cent. It also increases levels of HDL cholesterol a.k.a good cholesterol. It is the saponins that are present in hibiscus that bind to cholesterol and prevent the body from absorbing them.

Flower buds can be made into a jam and used raw in salads or boiled as a vegetable. Petals can also be eaten in salads and for jam. Young shoots and roots are edible – raw or cooked. A warning, though, in 1995 someone was reported to have suffered kidney damage from drinking Hibiscus heterophyllus tea.

There are many varieties of hibiscus, so not all varieties will taste the same. Also known as roselle, red sorrel, and flor de Jamaica, Hibiscus sabdariffa is the hibiscus most commonly used for tea.

Do you eat the flower? Absolutely! The flavor has been described by our customers as being like mixed berries or a combination of raspberry and rhubarb. The texture is similar to firm lychee or dried cranberries.

Another way to check is if the flowers are salmon, peach, orange, or yellow, or double flowered, then you probably have a TROPICAL hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus do not come in these colors or in doubles! Many tropical hibiscus flowers have more than one color in a bloom either in bands or as spots.

For edible flowers, consider Rose of Sharon. A long time garden favorite, Hibiscus syriacus is a medium to large-sized shrub or small tree that produces masses of single or double flowering blooms in a variety of colors; white, pink, red, purple, blue. Blossoms appear in late summer and have a nutty flavor to them.

Can you eat red leaf hibiscus? ›

Both the foliage and flowers of 'Panama Red' Hibiscus are edible. Young leaves have a tart, lemony flavor, are rich in vitamin C and thiamin, and may be eaten raw or cooked. Its red foliage also adds color and flavor to salads.

Since hibiscus tea does not have caffeine and has potential health benefits, it's often a beverage of choice for tea drinkers in the evening hours before going to bed. Known for being a soothing and relaxing beverage, it's versatile and can be enjoyed hot or chilled.

So the next time you find yourself reaching for a cup of tea whether steaming hot or ice cold consider relaxing with a cup of hibiscus. Not only will the extra dose of antioxidants help keep your cells strong and healthy but your kidneys and urinary tract will also thank you for the health benefits this herb provides.

It normalizes the blood pressure, and digestion, and is great to cleanse the blood from harmful substances. However, drinking hibiscus is still better cold, or warm, temperature not above 40 degrees.

Do not take too much hibiscus if you are taking medications for high blood pressure. Some medications for high blood pressure include nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan), diltiazem (Cardizem), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), amlodipine (Norvasc), and others.

In a comparison of the antioxidant content of 280 common beverages, hibiscus tea, derived from the flower of the same name and also known as roselle, sorrel, jamaica, or sour tea, ranked number-one, even beating out the oft-lauded green tea.

Using coffee grounds will greatly benefit you if your garden includes acid-loving plants like hibiscus, azaleas, and blueberries. You can also use coffee with water other than just powder. If used in balanced quantities, coffee grounds prove to be the best fertilizer for hibiscus plants.

Hibiscus tea is made from the colorful flowers of the hibiscus plant. It has a pink-red color and refreshing, tart flavor. It can be enjoyed hot or iced.

Hibiscus might lower blood pressure. Taking hibiscus along with medications used for lowering high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low. Do not take too much hibiscus if you are taking medications for high blood pressure.

All parts of hibiscus plants are used traditionally. Due to their soothing (demulcent) and astringent properties, the flowers and leaves have been traditionally used to treat conditions such as cancer and gallbladder attacks, to lower blood pressure , to relieve dry coughs , and topically to treat skin afflictions .

What happens if you drink hibiscus tea everyday? ›

Studies have shown that antioxidants in the hibiscus plant have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Additionally, hibiscus tea certainly has some promising potential health benefits, like lowering your blood pressure, stabilizing your blood sugar and reducing your blood lipid levels.

The antioxidants found in hibiscus not only support a healthy heart, but also protect other important organs of the body. For instance, free radicals can be harmful to the kidneys; however, some studies found that the antioxidants in hibiscus were helpful in restoring and supporting damaged kidneys.

Side Effects of Drinking Hibiscus Tea:

Hibiscus tea can cause a decrease in blood pressure which can become an issue for those who already have low blood pressure, it may also cause a decrease in blood glucose, & may affect estrogen levels, which means it can also affect menstrual cycles.

Ingredients. To make this super refreshing tea, you will just need 4 ingredients – Hibiscus Flower, Water, Lemon Juice and Honey. You can either use fresh flowers to make the tea like me or use the dried ones too. If you have access to fresh flowers, you can dry a few to use later.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, hibiscus has potent neuroprotective benefits, including the ability to lower neuroinflammation. Inflammation is a primary driver of Alzheimer's disease, making hibiscus an effective and nourishing intervention for those looking to promote brain health.