I have chronic nerve inflammation. So I’m always thrilled to discover a new herbal remedy. That’s because I’m able to control my condition with plant-based medicine.
But there’s just one problem. If I don’t rotate my remedies, they stop working as well. So I’m always on the hunt for something new.
I remember drinking my first cup of red hibiscus tea. I found it at a discount close-out retailer, which sells all sorts of natural and organic items from around the world, at rock bottom prices.
Hibiscus Tea For Inflammation
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Hibiscus tea contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds. So I can add it to the rotation, which includes tulsi, bilberry, red clover and other teas. I use essential oils, homeopathic remedies and herbal supplements, such as Zyflamend and St. John’s wort.
But I like drinking hibiscus tea because it tastes so good. However, I can’t count on the close-out retailer to always carry this item. But that’s okay. This delicious red tea is also available online.
Does Hibiscus Tea Have Vitamin C?
Not really knowing what to expect, I brewed my first cup of this deep red tea. It was so good. It has a pleasant tart taste. It doesn’t need sweetening. But, if you want, you can stir in some raw organic honey.
Curious about this tasty, but tangy, blend, I wanted to find out more about hibiscus. Were there any potential health benefits I should know about?
As it turns out, hibiscus is rich in natural Vitamin C. We all need this nutrient for good health. I believe it’s important to recognize the distinction between real Vitamin C, which comes from food, and ascorbic acid, a laboratory-made isolate. So I try to get my daily Vitamin C requirement from food, and not from pills.
Hibiscus Tea In Egypt
Reading about hibiscus tea, I soon discovered this drink has a long and interesting history.
Hibiscus plants are found all over the world, wherever it’s warm. There are hundreds of species of this flowering plant, which grows as a shrub or a small tree. The flowers are brightly colored, and come in different hues of pink, yellow, white, purple and red.
In ancient Egypt, hibiscus tea was served to nobles. In fact, from what I’ve read, it was and it was preferred by these rulers of Egypt, known as the Pharoahs.
How To Make Hibiscus Tea
The flowering part of the hibiscus are used to make tea. When these flowers are dried, they impart a deep reddish color.
I bought hibiscus tea bags. So I used them the same way I use regular black tea. One tea bag makes a strong red cup of tea. You could probably also use just one teabag for a small pot of tea to be shared by two.
This rich, red drink is still served in Egypt, where it is known as karkade, and in many other places throughout the Middle East as well. It is a very popular beverage in Africa, where the plant originated, and in Central American and the Caribbean. In Jamaica, tea from the hibiscus is sometimes referred to as “sorrel.”
Health Benefits Of Hibiscus Herbal Tea
Hibiscus flower is also brewed in the Far East. It’s served cold and sweetened to bring out the best of its naturally tart flavor. The tea is said to be an effective “refrigerant,” able to cool an overheated body.
The ancients considered hibiscus a medicine as well as a beverage. Modern researchers are now able to scientifically confirm that this antioxidant rich tea does, indeed, have some potential health benefits.
Can Hibiscus Tea Help Inflammation?
One study that ran in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that hibiscus appeared to reduce both yeast-induced fever, as well as inflammation-related pain in rats.
Hibiscus Tea For Inflammation
For me, I’ve also noticed that anything that reduces my naturally high level of inflammation makes me feel better. Even though more studies are needed, including clinical trials in humans, hibiscus herbal tea has been used medicinally for thousands of years. I’m going to enjoy it now, while awaiting that research.
Please note that I’m not a doctor and I can’t give medical advice. Nor can I promise that any natural remedy will solve your health problems. Instead, I’m a wife and mother who likes to share my story of how I use various natural remedies to quiet my inflamed nerves. (I don’t even own any OTC or prescription pain relievers.)
Where To Buy Hibiscus Tea
Although hibiscus tea is a very popular drink in many parts of the world, people in Europe and in North America are just beginning to discover it. You might find this tea in your local supermarket. But if you want an organic version, you might have to shop for it on the Internet.
Hibiscus tea can be used simply as a nice non-caffeinated alternative to black tea. Some people, however, buy it specifically for its potential health benefits. It’s available both in tea bags or loose leaf flowers.
Organic Hibiscus Tea Bags
Organic Loose Hibiscus Tea
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Is Hibiscus Tea Good For You?
Flowers from the hibiscus plant are still used as a medicinal agent in traditional Chinese medicine, as they are thought to be effective for strengthening the lungs and relieving congestion. Hibiscus is also used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine.
It appears as if hibiscus has the ability to regulate blood sugar and to lower blood pressure that’s a little on the high side. Hibiscus flowers likely contain various antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Why Is Hibiscus Tea Good For You?
One study that ran in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal showed that dried hibiscus flowers protected rat liver cells from oxidative damage.
The hibiscus species that has received the most modern attention is the Hibiscus sabdariffa, which has been subjected to various clinical trials. Researchers have also found that hibiscus appears to lower both blood pressure and cholesterol. The authors of this study also noted that hibiscus is now used to treat these conditions in a number of other countries.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use herbal remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
Thank you for your article and research! I’ve recently discovered hibiscus tea benefits while researching hibiscus for hair cleansing and its oil for hair growth. I bought some dried flowers from a local international store and made oil, hair treatment and tea. A little goes a very long way. I added water, local organic raw honey and lemons to the tea and I’m in love with it.
I suffer from tendonitis in my ankle and with drinking the tea during the day and Golden Milk or turmeric supplements at night, I have no use for prescription pain relievers now.
Do you use turmeric for inflammation relief?
I have used turmeric and a dietary supplement with turmeric for inflammation relief in the past. One thing I’ve found is that I need to constantly rotate my remedies, or else they stop working. I can’t take anything for too long. Right now, my body seems to need different types of herbs. But I’m sure I can return to turmeric at some time in the future. I do use organic turmeric spice in some of my recipes, and I make sure to add black pepper so it’s absorbed. I’m glad you like hibiscus tea. I need to order more, especially now that summer’s here.
Interesting article. I used to grow these in Southeastern Pennsylvania in the United States. They are easy to grow here. When I grew them I grew them for ornamental purposes and did not know of their other uses. If a person does grow them for use as herbs I might recommend 2 separate plantings. One for ornamental purposes and one for herbal purposes because once they start to bloom you may be so impressed with their beauty that you don’t want to pick them and ruin the scene.
Hi Bill, thanks so much for your input. I am not a gardener, so this is good information. These flowers are so beautiful.