Hibiscus (tea): useful properties and contraindications

Tea drinking is not only a pleasant pastime with family and friends, but also contributes to a beneficial rest and good mood. Moreover, according to numerous studies, tea as a drink can have a powerful effect on the human body – to calm or, conversely, to excite, give strength or relax. The expected effect is also affected by the dosage and strength of the drink.

In this article we will talk about hibiscus tea, the properties and contraindications of the drink, as well as the ways of brewing it. But first let’s find out what hibiscus is and how it is useful.

Handsome karkade

Perhaps you are familiar with this second name of hibiscus flower tea. The homeland of this plant, as it turned out, is the East. Ancient Arab sages repeatedly mentioned its miraculous properties in their treatises.

Before that, as many believe, karkade grew in India, after which it was exported to Egypt and north Africa. Now hibiscus tea is distributed throughout Asia, Europe and America.

The plant itself is a branching shrub (less often a tree) with elegant flowers of various shades.

What is remarkable about the plant?

Speaking about the benefits and harms of hibiscus tea, it is necessary to mention its composition. Interestingly, not only the inflorescences of the plant have healing properties, but also leaves, fruits, and even seeds. Karkade is rich in such useful substances as:

• Vitamins A, PP, group B, ascorbic acid.
• Trace elements such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium and others.
• Flavonoids.
• Pectins.
• Beta-carotene.
• Antioxidants, etc.

Many, being interested in the properties of hibiscus tea, think about its nutritional value. So, the drink is considered very light and dietary. One hundred grams of the product contains: fat – zero grams, carbohydrates – 0.6 grams, protein – 0.3 g, calories – 5 kcal.

What are the beneficial properties and contraindications of hibiscus tea?

For what diseases is it used?

As can be seen from the composition listed above, karkade flowers have many useful trace elements that can be used for such ailments as:

• Viral diseases of a colds nature.
• Decreased immunity.
• Some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Cardiovascular pathologies.
• Insomnia.
• Mild neuroses.
• Salt deposits.
• Hypertension.
• Constipation.

The leaves of the plant also have a beneficial effect on the human body. For example, they contribute to the elimination of toxins and purification from worms.

Moreover, decoctions of hibiscus petals can be used not only internally, but also externally. They can be used in the form of compresses as an addition to the main therapy for diseases of the skin, manifested in wounds, bruises, tumors, inflammation.

Below we will take a closer look at how you can make tea from hibiscus so that it has healing properties. But first, let’s talk about the warnings regarding the use of this plant.

When can’t I drink?

Contraindications of hibiscus tea are, first of all, allergic reactions that can cause individual intolerance to certain components of the plant.

It can also not be used for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, ulcers, pancreatitis, increased acidity and others.

And of course, there are temporary contraindications to carcade related to the period of gestation and lactation. It should be remembered that the plant helps to increase menstruation. Therefore, girls carrying a child should be careful and careful not to provoke a miscarriage. On the other hand, the use of karkade tea during pregnancy will help minimize toxicosis and nausea. Another contraindication of the drink is children under three to five years of age.

But how should the drug be properly collected in order to preserve its beneficial properties?

Recommendations for collecting and storing medicinal herbs

In order to maintain the highest concentration of nutrients in the plant, it should be harvested on the sixth, maximum seventh day, after the ovary of blooms. This applies not only to hibiscus inflorescences, but also to its root system.

The collected raw materials are thoroughly dried, however, several rules should be observed here. For example, hibiscus should be dried in a dry dark place, it is especially necessary to be careful that direct sunlight does not fall on it. Also, during drying, parts of the plant must be turned over several times in order to avoid unnecessary rotting of the components.

When the hibiscus petals have become brittle and brittle, it means that it can be collected and hidden in a dry dark place. It is advisable to store herbs in dishes made of natural material (glass jars, cardboard boxes, linen bags, etc.).

The shelf life of such raw materials should not exceed three years. After that, the carcade will lose all its useful substances.

A drink to boost immunity

Taking into account all the above useful properties of hibiscus tea, let’s find out how to cook it in order to increase the defenses of your body.

To do this, take 4 tsp. karkade, as well as lemon balm, oregano and mint (a small pinch each). Pour a mixture of herbs 0.5 liters of boiling water and insist for an hour. During the day, it is recommended to drink the prepared infusion, which will not only strengthen the immune system, but also raise the vitality.

Against worm infestations

To combat helminths, you can prepare such a drink: pour a tablespoon of dry petals with a glass of hot water and drink after cooling on an empty stomach. It is better to carry out such a procedure twice a day, for three days. Children should be cleaned of parasites strictly when the disease is detected and only after they reach the age of three.

Sedative effect

As a sedative and a light sleeping pill, you can use a decoction of hibiscus and hop cones, combined in equal quantities. To do this, take one spoonful of dried herbs, mix them, pour boiling water (in the amount of 300 ml) and insist. This remedy can be drunk in the morning and in the evening by one or two tablespoons.

To give strength

If, in the case of a serious illness, the body should be quickly restored, then karkade tea will be the best means to give vigor and strength. To do this, take one tablespoon of hibiscus and sour cream, pour a glass of hot water, wrap and insist for thirty minutes. Such a decoction can be taken one tablespoon three times a day half an hour before meals. If the remedy must be given to children, then the dosage is reduced to one teaspoon.

With various pathologies of blood pressure

It is known that the pressure can be lowered or increased. In both cases, you can not do without the miraculous carcade. A teaspoon of hibiscus inflorescence should be brewed in a glass of boiling water and drunk. In hot form – to increase blood pressure, in cold – to lower.

To eliminate constipation

You should brew a tablespoon of hibiscus with boiling water, cool it and take 100-150 milligrams four times a day. Such a remedy can also be used in the fight against excess kilograms or for natural intestinal cleansing.

As a preventive measure

As you know, the disease is easier to prevent than to treat. Therefore, it is worth using karkade tea as a preventive measure against colds and infectious diseases, cancers and the development of atherosclerosis, memory impairment and decreased immunity. To do this, you can drink one or two cups of tea a day, sweetening it with honey or a spoonful of sugar.

External use of decoction

It is also very important, as it will help to get rid of such ailments as eczema, ulcers, etc. To do this, brew a decoction of karkade (one tablespoon per glass of boiling water), cool it and use it as lotions or compresses. Fresh hibiscus leaves and petals can also be used for this purpose.

Other uses of hibiscus

Of course, folk medicine is not the only field where karkade extracts are used. Very often, the plant serves as the basis for a variety of cosmetics, such as shampoos, gels, creams, soaps, and so on. Due to its properties, hibiscus improves the skin and rejuvenates it, eliminating wrinkles and acne. It also moisturizes the hair, makes it more shiny and healthy.

In cooking, karkade is used as a spice. This seasoning can be added to a meat or fish dish, various salads and sauces. And, of course, you can not do without hibiscus when preparing compotes, jams, jams, fruit drinks, cakes and so on. Dried petals added to a coffee drink are also very good.

Moreover, hibiscus extract is also used in traditional medicine in the manufacture of certain types of tablet preparations or external remedies.

In conclusion

As you can see, hibiscus is an important and useful plant that can not only improve immunity, but also cure serious diseases. Kakrade tea is considered a very tasty tonic drink. However, to achieve the desired effect, it is important to properly collect and store raw materials. Above, we discussed some recommendations that should be taken into account by those who want to do it with their own hands.

Moreover, in order for the carcade to benefit the whole body, it must be properly brewed. The article contains numerous recipes for a drink that can help in the fight against a particular disease, ranging from common colds to serious ailments in the form of hypertension.

Moreover, in order for tea to benefit, one should never forget about its contraindications. Those who suffer from allergies or stomach ulcers, absolutely can not take a drink. Pregnant or nursing women should use it with caution, realizing that the use of tea can cause allergic reactions not only in the mother, but also in the baby.