Top 10 Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

In this article you will learn 10 powerful health benefits of Hibiscus tea. Which is a popular medicinal herbal tea used for its amazing healthy benefits.

The popular drink does not contain caffeine and has low calories. Herbal users can easily consume hibiscus tea when hot or cold depending on their preferences.

The calyx, fruit, and flowers of the hibiscus plant can all be used for medicinal purposes. Hibiscus which is also known by its botanical name “Hibiscus sabdariffa” .

Although highly praised for its traditional uses, the herbal tea has not undergone enough scientific research to prove its effectiveness hence should be used with moderation.

10 Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

This comprehensive guide on the herbal remedy is going to educate you on the various hibiscus tea health benefits as well as some side effects that have been associated with the tincture.

1. Managing blood pressure

The natural herbal tea contains potent anti-inflammatory properties that enable it to reduce blood pressure significantly even by up to almost 10 points. This research, which was carried at the “Tufts University” found in Boston, also recommended the drinking of 3 cups of the medicinal tea daily for a few weeks to get the results.

Hibiscus tea has also been found to have powerful diuretic properties that usually increase urination while also lowering blood pressure.

Another scientific study conducted by the “Odigie IP” research agency also suggests that hibiscus tea has cardio protective and anti-hypertensive properties that make it an ideal treatment for those at risk of contracting various cardiovascular diseases and those suffering from hypertension.

2. Cholesterol reduction

According to the Purdue University’s “Center for New Crops and Plant Products” reducing blood viscosity has been one of the traditional hibiscus tea uses for a long time now. This ability to reduce blood viscosity also plays a major role in minimizing harmful cholesterol levels.

A study, which was published in the “Phytomedicine” scientific journal in the year 2010, reported that people suffering from metabolic syndrome can easily experience a decrease in cholesterol levels simply by taking a daily dose of about 100 grams of the hibiscus powder extract.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is commonly referred to as the ‘bad cholesterol’ is a type of harmful cholesterol that damages blood vessels as well as causes heart disease. This cholesterol type can be lowered through consuming hibiscus tea to prevent this from happening.

3. Accelerating weight loss

People consuming lots and lots of carbohydrates and starch over time are likely to experience an increase in weight. The hibiscus tea has been found to contain a special enzyme inhibitor that has the ability to lower the production of amylase (the enzyme responsible for breaking down starch and sugar).

This mechanism makes the herbal tea highly beneficial for weight loss. A 12-week scientific study that was published in the year 2014 in the nutrition based “Food & Function” journal revealed that drinking hibiscus tea could easily reduce both abdominal fat and obesity as well as help in improving liver damage experienced in obese individuals.

Hibiscus which is a diuretic herb that has low calories is used in a variety of beauty products as it helps in flushing excess fluids and harmful toxins from the body.

4. Boosting the immune system

The herbal tea contains a lot of vitamin C nutrients which are required for the normal activity and development of the white blood cells. White blood cells perform a very crucial role in the body by reducing inflammation and fighting various diseases; hence through creating a conducive environment for the cells to thrive.

The natural remedy ends up strengthening the body’s immune system.

Having a strong immune system will not only keep a person from falling sick more often but also enable their body to fight various diseases like swelling and arthritis. This is probably the most important health benefit obtained from drinking hibiscus tea.

5. Antioxidant benefits

Oxidation is a harmful process in the body commonly associated with damaging healthy body cells while transforming them into cancerous cells. Hibiscus petals which are also used to make the natural herbal tea contain flavonoid compounds which give them their dark red color.

The petals also contain other beneficial compounds known as anthocyanins.

When combined, these powerful compounds become potent antioxidants, which are required to reverse or prevent the negative effects brought about by the oxidation process. This then prevents the formation of various disease-causing organisms, including cancer cells.

6. Digestion and bowel function

The chemicals found in the herbal tea have potent antibacterial properties that also serve as a gentle laxative for relieving constipation and other tummy related issues including bloating and painful gas temporarily. By keeping the bowels in a continuous movement state the herbal remedy increases the amount of water and nutrients being absorbed into the body.

Heartburn and stomach upset are common issues caused by a blocked or sluggish bowel hence should be relieved in time through drinking hibiscus tea.

The polyphenol compounds found in the herbal tincture can stimulate the digestive system, thus preventing cancer growth in the stomach. Most herbal tea users drink hibiscus tea to improve their digestion and bowel function activities. Hibiscus tea’s potent diuretic properties also make it effective in treating constipation, preventing colorectal cancer as well as maintaining the gastrointestinal system.

7. Protecting the liver

The hibiscus tea’s antioxidant properties have also been found to be quite helpful in alleviating liver disease. According to a study carried out in the year 2000 and published in the journal “Food and Chemical Toxicology,” the anthocyanin compounds contained in the herbal tea.

These have the ability to significantly reduce oxidative liver damage and inflammatory liver lesions all which are common liver problems. Apart from this, the natural remedy also improves a person’s overall health, particularly through its powerful antioxidant properties which are beneficial for various body organs.

8. Preventing the growth of cancer cells

The natural herbal tea also contains a compound known as ‘hibiscus protocatechuic acid’¹ which has potent anti-tumor and antioxidant properties that are beneficial to the body. A 2000 scientific study that was published in the “Biochemical Pharmacology” medical journal.

Various researchers from the “Chung Shan Medical and dental College” found out that this compound (protocatechuic acid) can inhibit the growth of cancer cells by killing leukemia cells. Cancer is among the world’s most dreadful diseases, hence, should be prevented at all costs.

9. Relieving anxiety and depression symptoms

The beneficial herbal tea also has the ability to calm the nervous system, thus offering temporary relief for various anxiety and depression symptoms.

By doing so the herbal tincture puts the user in a positive mind frame, helping him or her to live a stress free life.

To prove this, researchers who had carried out a scientific study that was published in the year 2012. The “Indian Journal of Pharmacology” revealed that the anthocyanidin, flavonoid, and anthocyanin compounds contained in the hibiscus herb have powerful antidepressant activities when absorbed into the body.

10. Alleviating menstrual pain

The hibiscus herbal tea can also be used to alleviate menstrual pain, making it an ideal herbal remedy, especially for women who experience painful cramps and unbearable menstrual pain.

Apart from that the herbal tincture also plays a major role in restoring the appropriate hormonal balance, thus reducing many other menstruation symptoms like overeating, depression, mood swings among others.

CONCLUSION

Evidently hibiscus tea is a beneficial herbal remedy full of various health benefits. However, there are some potential side effects, including hallucination, dizziness, and allergies among others worth knowing. This makes it important to visit your doctor, nutritionist or herbal expert to enquire about the herbal remedy’s effect on your overall health before deciding to use it.

This will not only help you in making an informed decision but also assist you in coming up with various effective ways and techniques of combating some of the common side effects.