What is Hibiscus tea and is it good for you?

Hibiscus tea is made with Hibiscus sabdariffa "petals"..... not really the petals of flowers but the sepals of the calyx that is formed around the seed pod.  These dried petals make a colorful tea that is tangy, lemony in flavor.  I like it best sweetened with stevia or a little honey. It is great in the summer with ice and lemon.

Hibiscus is excellent for flavoring herbal teas but has also been used for medicinal purposes. 

A study by the USDA which showed hibiscus decreasing high blood pressure in the test subjects. (Bliss, 2008)

Another Study from 2011 showed that hibiscus has anthocyanin a strong antioxidant that is also found in blueberries.  This particular study also discussed the drug-detox potential of hibiscus due to the constituents found in it. (Publication: Drug and chemical toxicologyPublication Date: 2011)

Anthocyanins help with memory, aging, oxidative stress, protect your heart, and have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties.

Side effects/warnings at http://www.hibiscusteabenefits.org/Side-Effects-of-Hibiscus-Tea.html 

I like to use it as part of a blend when I want a tart flavor profile, such at the Sereni-Tea we make.  

The possibilities are endless:

Cinnamon/Hibiscus
Lemon/Hibiscus
Orange/Clove/Hibiscus
Hibiscus/mint

To make a basic tea, use 1-2 tsp of dried hibiscus to 8 ounces of boiling water.  

• Place dried "petals" in bottom of cup
• Heat water to boiling a pour over petals
• cover cup and let steep 10 minutes or more..the longer it steeps the more healthy properties infused into the cup

If you have a recipe or idea to share please feel free to comment.