Did you know the beautiful Hibiscus flower can be drunk as a tea?
In recent days, this has become a regular herbal tea in my family. Due to its cooling nature, this is great for hot tropical climates in Singapore where the plant thrives.
Common names: Hibiscus, Chinese hibiscus
Species: Hibiscus spp., including H. rosa-sinensis, H. sabdariffa. H. syriacus
Family: Malvaceae
Energetics: Sweet, sour, bitter, cool; energizing
Dosage: about 5 fresh flowers to a pot, or 1 tbsp dried flowers to 1 cup (~240mL) water
Preparation: Tea (infusion/decoction)
- We first wash it with baking soda,
- then pound it to release the enzymes and beneficial compounds.
- Then add hot water, wait for it to cool a little before adding natural raw honey.
It tastes refreshing, clean and moisturizing!
This flower, which only blooms for a day, has numerous benefits!
ACTIONS / INDICATIONS:
- Full of antioxidants (like anthocyanin found in berries; gd for repairing damaged cells & cancer; boosts immune system)
- Natural Antidepressant (depression)
- Lowers blood pressure (hypertension)
- Lowers blood sugar (diabetes)
- Benefits cholesterol levels
- Combined effects benefit overall heart health
- Diuretic (may benefit kidney stones)
- Induces menstruation (for irregular cycles; help with cramps)
*but HIGH RISK for pregnant women or those trying to conceive - Antimicrobial properties (like cranberry juice for urinary tract infections)
- Anthelmintic (anti-parasitic)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic (relaxes smooth muscles of blood vessels, intestinal and uterine muscles and bladder)
- Hydroxocobalamin absorption effects: might increase the oral bioavailability of vitamin B12
- Promotes lactation
- Wound healing effects
- Weight loss effects: increase satiety, reduce hunger, reduce adipogenesis and fat accumulation, inhibit the breakdown and absorption of starch, has AMPK anti-obesity compound
- Improve liver function: antioxidant and phase II detoxification (1)
- Traditionally:
- Tea used to lower the temperature of body (Fever, Constipation, and Colds)
CAUTIONS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
- miscarriage risk mentioned above due to emmenagogue properties – *HIGH RISK for pregnant women or those trying to conceive
- Interacts with some medications
- CHLOROQUINE (major, significantly reduces the bioavailability/efficacy of this malaria drug)
- ANTIDIABETES DRUGS (moderate, additive effects)
- ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS (moderate, additive effects)
- ACETAMINOPHEN (Tylenol, others; minor, decreases half-life of elimination)
Other uses:
- Flowers are edible and used in salads in the Pacific Islands
- Flowers are also used as haircare
- Flower can be used as a pH indicator – will turn acidic solutions dark pink/magenta; turns basic solutions green
- Flower is used to shine shoes in India
- Pulp or juice of leaves can be used to treat skin wounds
- Crushed leaves in water makes it soapy, used to clean self and promote hair growth too
- For more uses see Hibiscus facts and health benefits (healthbenefitstimes.com)
References:
- Antioxidant and drug detoxification potentials of Hibiscus sabdariffa anthocyanin extract – PubMed (nih.gov)
- Hibiscus – Golden Poppy (goldenpoppyherbs.com)
- Hibiscus Monograph, 2021, Natural Medicines Therapeutic Research Centre
- Hibiscus facts and health benefits (healthbenefitstimes.com)
- https://draxe.com/nutrition/hibiscus-tea/
- https://afternoonteareads.com/benefits-risks-hibiscus-tea/
- Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – Wikipedia
