When you think of a Hawaiian maiden wearing a grass skirt with a pink flower tucked behind her ear, that flower is typically a hibiscus.
Not only is hibiscus a brightly colored ornamental flower but it also makes a very healthful and refreshing tea that you can brew from the dried herbs in summertime.
Fun fact: did you know that many popular branded herbal teas found on your supermarket shelves are blended with hibiscus?
Next time you’re in the tea aisle study some labels and you might notice hibiscus listed as an ingredient in some of your favorite herbal tea blends.
If the tea steeps a bright blood red color then it’s likely that hibiscus is a main ingredient.
Health benefits of hibiscus:
Hibiscus is high in vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, helps to fight viruses and bacteria, and is a known antioxidant.
Vitamin C increases good cholesterol. We now know there are two types of cholesterol: the good kind, and the bad kind.
Hibiscus tea supplies your body with more of the good cholesterol and lowers your bad cholesterol levels.
Hibiscus tea may lower blood pressure. Did you know that dark red colored fruits such as berries, red grapes, cherries, cranberries, and the leaves of such fruits such as hibiscus and raspberry act as a blood cleanser?
These foods increase health of the capillaries which brings blood flow through the body and helps your blood circulate.
Drink more hibiscus tea if you’d like to promote healthy blood pressure levels.
Hibiscus tea is also said to improve liver health. As mentioned, this tea cleanses the blood and promotes improved blood flow.
It also works to detoxify the liver. If you’d like to improve the health of your liver because you have been overweight or were a drinker at one time, hibiscus tea can prove beneficial for liver health.
Brew a refreshing hibiscus tea cooler at home:
- Find a source for locally grown organic hibiscus leaves that have been dried for tea. We recommend Cheryl Karcher of Hilltop Herbals apothecary. You’ll find Cheryl at the Bel Ame Eco Boutique at 34 North 2nd Street, Easton PA.
- Brew tea the easy way. You only need a few cups of water to steep some dried herbs to make tea. Pour the water over the tea leaves and let sit for at least 10 minutes, or longer if you’d like a more potent and powerful hibiscus tea.
- Let your homemade hibiscus tea cool for a few minutes before adding ice cubes and water. Pour into your favorite pitcher and chill in the refrigerator.
Ideas for flavoring your home brewed hibiscus tea:
- Squeeze in the juice of a fresh lemon or lime
- Add orange slices and cranberries
- Muddle some fresh mint leaves and add these to your pitcher of tea
- Cut up a few watermelon cubes and some mint leaves and place those in with your hibiscus tea
- Add a handful of fresh, in-season berries such as blueberries, raspberries, gooseberries or other locally grown berries
- Peach and hibiscus combine well for a refreshing summer cooler. Slice up a few fresh peaches during peach season to enjoy with your chilled hibiscus tea.
Contact Cheryl Karcher of Hilltop Herbals
UPDATED ADDRESS! NEW LOCATION
Wellness and Healing Corner
Cheryl is also available to host informative herbal healing lectures and hands-on workshops.
Email: hilltopherbals@gmail.com
Phone: 908 319 0012
Visit the Hilltop Herbals Website