16 HEALTH BENEFITS OF HIBISCUS TEA - NUTRITION - 2025

Among the benefits that hibiscus brings to our body, the following stand out: it stimulates our immune system, contributes to weight loss, protects the liver or is a powerful antimicrobial.

The hibiscus (or hibiscus), - comes from the Greek ibískos, which means "mallow shape". It is a plant with a red flower that appears annually. It belongs to the family of the Malvaceae species. It can be seen in warm, tropical and subtropical areas, in much of the world.

But how is it consumed? Only the flower is used from the plant, which must be dried, and then mixed with hot water to form the so-called "Hibiscus Tea", or also known "Agua de Jamaica".

This infusion made of calyces (sepals of multiple types of hibiscus), is a herbal tea that is drunk hot or cold in several countries. Tasting similar to blueberry, this healing liquid has been used for centuries. It has medicinal properties, which we will see below.

16 healing properties of hibiscus tea that protect your health

1- Stimulates the immune system

Given the significant amount of vitamin C, present in hibiscus tea, experts consider that it enhances our immune system.

At the same time, it can prevent colds and the flu. Possessing the ability to reduce body temperature, this concoction benefits people suffering from fever.

2- Increases body energy

If you need to regain strength after a prolonged physical exercise, or you arrive exhausted from your work, a good idea is to try hibiscus tea to replenish the body's energies.

This occurs, because according to the Boldsky site, as the antioxidants in hibiscus are absorbed by our body, this helps to repair the damage of free radicals, which affects the energy levels naturally rise.

3- Maintains fluid balance

The hibiscus flower has extracts that can help maintain the body's fluid balance, according to Hindu Ayurvedic science.

For this reason, it is used as a cure for edema or excessive fluid retention in the body.

4- Reduces cholesterol levels

A curious fact mentioned in a note from Boldsky.com points out that the antioxidants present in hibiscus are very similar to those found in red wine.

Consequently, these components contribute to maintaining a healthy heart and keeping bad cholesterol levels in the body low.

5- Fight aging and menopause

This flower may have properties that may interest, above all, women. Why? Because it contains essential antioxidants to fight the signs of aging. The above makes a woman look 5 times younger than her real age.

On the other hand, hibiscus tea helps soothe the symptoms of female menopause, which causes a hormonal imbalance in the body, a problem that this infusion regulates.

6- Benefits hair health

The medicinal properties of hibiscus don't end there. By containing vitamin C and minerals, such as the polyphenol compound, this drink has anti-inflammatory characteristics.

Hibiscus tea can repair hair loss and hair chaining. To apply the treatment, the flowers are dried and reduced to a fine powder. Then, they are mixed with water and applied to the scalp once a day for two weeks.

7- Fight hypertension

According to a study published in 1999, the effect of tea containing hibiscus sabdariffa on hypertension was observed in men and women, with moderately high blood pressure.

The scientists found a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the experimental group who drank this liquid versus those who did not.

8- Helps diabetics

Another investigation carried out in 2008 investigated how hibiscus tea affected diabetic patients, who also suffered from mild hypertension.

The researchers' results showed that study participants who drank a hibiscus sabdariffa infusion twice daily produced a small positive effect on blood pressure compared to those who drank black tea.

This tea also has lipid-lowering and hypoglycemic properties that lower blood sugar levels.

9- Protects the liver

The importance of the liver as a fundamental organ is known. A complication in this can lead to illnesses that are harmful to health.

To take care of this organ, what better than to drink hibiscus tea. The role played by the antioxidants present in this infusion neutralizes free radicals in the body, tissues and cells. In this way, the liver is benefited by the action of this flower, according to a study.

11- Reduces menstrual pain

Another good news for women. Drinking hot hibiscus tea helps relieve painful menstrual cramps. Once ingested, relief can be instant.

This occurs because it can balance hormones, reducing cramps, mood swings, irritability or anxiety about overeating, the study raises.

12- It is an antidepressant

Given the work, family or financial demands, nowadays, it is easy for people to fall into situations of stress that can lead to depression.

One of the ways to overcome this evil is by drinking warm hibiscus tea. As this flower is rich in flavonoids, it is an antidepressant that fights low moods caused by stress, poor quality of life and low self-esteem.

In addition, hibiscus tea reduces anxiety attacks and panic attacks, thus having a relaxing effect on the body.

13- Helps to lose weight

Some people substitute caffeine for herbal teas like hibiscus tea to lose weight.

This flower helps reduce the absorption of starch and glucose in the body, which can lead to losing those extra pounds.

Also, according to Style Craze, hibiscus stops the production of amylase, an enzyme that speeds up the process of absorption of carbohydrates in the body. It is not strange then to see in several products to lose weight, extract of this flower.

14- It has laxative effects

For those suffering from constipation, hibiscus tea is a good alternative, as it is used as a mild laxative. That is, for bloating of the stomach, it is feasible to consume a cup of this infusion.

Although there are no conclusive studies, some investigations in animals demonstrated therapeutic effects in animal experiments.

15- It is an antibacterial protector

Experts point out that the aqueous extract of hibiscus contains antibacterial properties. Animal studies have found that "Jamaica Tea" can eliminate worms and other bacteria present in our body.

However, there are no conclusive studies in this regard, on whether this tea is an effective antibacterial or is a vermifuge in people.

16- Prevents cancer

Recent studies have shown that hibiscus tea can prevent pre-cancer cells from growing.

This results in stopping the growth of cells that eventually cause cancer. We reiterate that, being composed of antioxidants, hibiscus tea is very beneficial to help prevent cancer, as it eliminates free radicals in the body.

Hibiscus tea nutrition facts

The specialized website Doctorshealthpress.com, raises the following nutritional chart for hibiscus tea. Helpful reference tool with detailed information on a 100 gram serving of this infusion.

Hibiscus tea side effects

According to Womenio, this infusion has the following side effects:

• Low hormone levels: This drink is not recommended for pregnant women or those who undergo fertility treatments.

• Low blood pressure: people with hypotension should avoid drinking it unless they first consult their doctor to make sure their blood pressure is not dangerously low.

• Drowsiness: Many people have reported feeling a bit sleepy after drinking hibiscus tea, so stop drinking if you want to fall asleep or sleep soundly.

• Hallucinations: some people have reported hallucinogenic effects from its ingestion. If it is one of them, it is better not to operate a motor vehicle or any other type of machinery, after drinking hibiscus tea.

How to make hibiscus tea

Ingredients:

-Dry hibiscus flowers = you will need about 3 or 4 of them.

-8 ounces of water = boiling is recommended.

-Sugar or honey = is optional and is according to your preferences.

preparation:

-It is enough to place the hibiscus flowers in your cup of tea and then cover it with boiling water.

-Allow it to filter for about 5 minutes and add the desired amount of sugar (or sweetener).

-You can also add a sprig of mint, a lemon wedge, or whatever else you like.

References

1. "The antimicrobial activity of aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts against Escherichia coli O157: H7 and Staphylococcus aureus in a microbiological medium and milk of various fat concentrations" (2014). Higginbotham, Burris, Zivanovic, Davidson, Stewart CN. Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, River Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
2. "Preliminary screening for antibacterial activity: Using crude extracts of Hibiscus rosa sinensis" (2009). Sangeetha Arullappan, Zubaidah Zakaria, and Dayang Fredalina Basri. Cancer Research Center, Institute for Medical Research, Jalan Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
3. "Chronic administration of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa attenuates hypertension and reverses cardiac hypertrophy in 2K-1C hypertensive rats." (2003). IP. Odigie, Ettarh RR., Adigun SA. Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
4. "The effects of bitter tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on hypertension in patients with type II diabetes" (2008). H-Mozaffari Khosravi, BA-Jalali Khanabadi, M-Afkhami Ardekani, M Fatehi and M-Noori Shadkam. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
5. "The effect of bitter tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) in essential hypertension" (1999). M. Haji Faraji, AH Haji Tarkhani. Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Eveen-19395-4139 Tehran, Iran.