Most of us are familiar with the pleasant and slightly sour taste that hibiscus tea (Sudanese rose) has. This magnificent drink with a light floral aroma differs from other teas in its rich red tint.
Hibiscus tea composition
As a raw material for the production of this delicious drink, hibiscus is used. Modern biologists know about 150 varieties of this plant, among which there are not only perennial shrubs, but also annual herbs. Hibiscus grows on the territory of such countries as Mexico, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Sudan, Egypt and China. In each of these countries there are extensive plantations of this plant, on which a huge number of people work.
Those who want to know the beneficial properties of Hibiscus tea and the contraindications for which it cannot be drunk will be interested in the chemical composition of this drink. Due to the fact that exclusively natural raw materials are used for its production, it contains a huge amount of useful vitamins and amino acids. This drink is considered an excellent source of anthocyanins, antioxidants, organic acids, flavanoids, polysaccharides and pectins. Due to its vast chemical composition, hibiscus red tea is widely used in Arab medicine. For example, malic, citric and tartaric acids contained in it have good disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The healing properties of the drink
Those who are interested in what are the beneficial properties of Hibiscus tea and contraindications to its use, will not hurt to find out that it is known for its antitumor effect. Hibiscus petals contain a huge amount of natural antioxidants that reliably protect the human body from the negative effects of free radicals and significantly reduce the risk of malignant neoplasms.
The anthocyanins contained in the drink not only give it a rich red tint, but also have a beneficial effect on the blood vessels, regulating their permeability and strengthening the walls. Regular consumption of this tea, rich in riboflavin, niacin, vitamins A and C, helps to improve overall well-being and helps to resist colds.
Due to the high concentration of gamma-linoleic acid, this drink allows you to lower cholesterol, protecting the vessels from the appearance of cholesterol plaques on their walls. In addition, tea, which has excellent choleretic and diuretic properties, significantly reduces swelling and prevents the appearance of cholelithiasis. Hibiscus also perfectly detoxifies, removing the hangover syndrome, alleviating the condition of poisoning and cleansing the body. Few people know that this tea helps fight parasites. To do this, in the morning on an empty stomach, you need to drink a tightly brewed infusion.
Who is not recommended to drink this drink?
People who care about the beneficial properties of hibiscus tea and contraindications to it, must certainly know that it is not recommended for those who suffer from gastritis, peptic ulcer and urolithiasis. In addition, some may have an individual intolerance to this drink. Therefore, it is not worth drinking for those who are prone to allergic reactions. Many people like to drink aromatic hibiscus tea in the morning. What time is better to drink this drink, experts will prompt. In their opinion, it should not be consumed on an empty stomach.
Is this drink effective for weight loss?
Only a few of those who know the beneficial properties of hibiscus tea and contraindications to its use know that with this drink you can quickly lose a few extra pounds. It contains a sufficient amount of acids that contribute to the dissolution of fats, the removal of excess fluid and increased metabolism in the intestine. Due to the presence of a mild laxative effect, it gently and absolutely safely cleanses the intestines.
The slimming scheme using hibiscus is quite simple. To do this, you need to drink 200 ml of this aromatic invigorating drink for three weeks one hour before a meal. After this period, it is recommended to take a ten-day break and repeat the course again. Of course, during this period, you must completely exclude cakes and fast food from your daily diet. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to do gymnastics and adhere to a sparing diet.
Hibiscus tea increases or decreases blood pressure?
Most lovers of this drink are of the opinion that hot tea helps increase blood pressure, and cold tea, on the contrary, lowers it. Recent scientific studies have disproved this claim. This is important to know to everyone who loves Hibiscus tea . Does this drink increase or decrease pressure ? In fact, regardless of the degree of heating, red tea still lowers blood pressure. This is due to the fact that it has an antispasmodic, anticholesterol and diuretic effect. A few years ago, Americans conducted a scientific experiment that vividly proved this theory. The study involved 70 volunteers suffering from hypertension and belonging to different age categories. For six weeks, they all consumed several cups of Hibiscus daily. By the end of the experiment, all of its participants had a steady tendency to lower pressure.
How to brew hibiscus?
Brewing this drink is not much different from other teas. In a glass with several grams of Sudanese rose petals, boiling water is poured and sugar is added. In the summer heat, you can drop a few ice cubes into the drink. To date, Egyptian technology for brewing this tea is especially popular. To do this, take one tablespoon of dried flowers of Sudanese roses, pour them with chilled water and leave to infuse for several hours. After which, the dishes with the liquid are placed on the stove and boiled over low heat for 4-5 minutes. Then the liquid must be filtered and, if desired, add sugar to it. The resulting drink is equally good both in hot and in cold form.
How to brew red tea, retaining all the beneficial properties?
This can be done using the so-called cold method. A glass of dried hibiscus flowers is poured into eight glasses of cold boiled water and infused for several days. The readiness of the drink can be judged by its color. Tea should acquire a red tint. After this, you can strain the infusion and, if desired, add sugar to it. Tea prepared in this way can be served not only in cold but also in warmed form. Such a drink can be stored for a week. During all this time, all useful substances are stored in it.
Useful Tips
Those who wish to preserve the maximum amount of valuable properties of this drink can be advised to brew it with cold water. Under the influence of too high temperatures, hibiscus leaves waste the bulk of their healing properties. To get a truly tasty drink, you need to insist it for at least an hour. It is strictly forbidden to cook this fragrant and healthy tea in a metal bowl. For brewing, it is better to use porcelain, ceramic or glass containers. This will preserve the taste and color of the drink. Of particular benefit is the regular use of red tea, brewed in its natural form, without the addition of flavors or sweeteners.
Those who prefer to drink a truly healthy and tasty drink are advised to refuse to purchase tea bags in favor of whole dried petals, packaged in ordinary packs.
Hibiscus tea: reviews
Most people who regularly drink this unusual aromatic drink speak about it exclusively in a positive way. Some young ladies claim that it was red tea that contributed to dulling hunger that helped them get rid of a few extra pounds. He helps someone normalize blood pressure and solve other health problems. Some women use frozen cubes of red tea to wipe their faces. They claim that it helps smooth wrinkles and tighten the skin. And someone appreciates this drink for its unique aroma and unique taste with a slight acidity. In hot summer days, a cup of chilled hibiscus becomes a real salvation from the sweltering heat, perfectly refreshes and tones the body.