Hibiscus flowers have the power to deliver potent antioxidants.* Hibiscus is a star ingredient in teas and beverages around the world, especially in Mexico, Latin America, and North Africa.
- Botanical Name: Hibiscus sabdariffa
Hibiscus sabdariffa, which is part of the Malvaceae or Mallow family, thrives in tropical and subtropical regions such as Egypt, Thailand, Sudan, Mexico, and China. While it's also known as red sorrel, Hibiscus comes in a beautiful variety of colors.
Hibiscus has a tart flavor similar to cranberries - it's delicious brewed into tea with a dash of honey to sweeten it up.
*Hibiscus Tea has tons of benefits! It has been known to prevent hypertension, lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar levels, keep your liver healthy, help with menstrual cramps, helps with depression, aid digestion, and help with weight management. It is also rich in Vitamin C. Hibiscus tea also contains minerals such as flavonoids, and has laxative properties. The natural acids present in Hibiscus help to purify skin, by breaking down dead skin and increasing cell turnover, they can even help to control acne breakouts.
Making Hibiscus Tea: There are MANY tea recipes out there for Hibiscus tea, but this is a simple one for making 1 cup.
Step 1- Simply boil a cup of water in a boiling pot and add 1-2 teaspoons of hibiscus.
Step 2- Let it simmer for about 4-5 minutes. Add more tea if you prefer a stronger bitter taste.
Step 3- Add cinnamon powder or ½ inch stick into the water while it's brewing to enhance the flavor. You could also add ½ lemon juice into the tea as lemons.
Step 4- If you'd like it sweet you can add a bit of honey to taste.
*Disclaimer: These statements are not FDA tested and has Hibiscus not been FDA approved as a treatment or cure for any health problem, including cancer.
