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    Home > American Recipes

    Published: Sep 28, 2015 · Modified: Feb 7, 2021 by Denise Browning · "This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission." · 11 Comments

    Hibiscus Tea & A Guide To Medicinal Teas


    Jump to Recipe ↓

    Along with the arrival of Autumn come colds, congestion, seasonal allergies, and sleepiness, among other unpleasant effects. Drinking teas is one way to relieve symptoms while enjoying a comforting, warm beverage. With this in mind, I decided to share with you an easy and delicious recipe for a cranberry-like hibiscus tea. And I have included an useful guide to medicinal teas as well.

    hibiscus tea being poured into a glass

    Coffee may be Brazil's preferred beverage... but herbal teas also are well-known and highly appreciated for their health properties.

    dregs of hibiscus tea

    Brazilian tea culture has its origins in the infused beverages, or chás made by the indigenous cultures of the Amazon region. Most varieties of tea came from China and neighboring countries... But tea culture has evolved since the Portuguese colonial period to include imported ones from Japan, Sri Lanka, India,  and elsewhere.

    Cups of hibiscus tea on a table

    Among the many medicinal teas consumed in Brazil (as well as other countries, including the United States) are these:

     

    • HIBISCUS (hibisco):  an herbal infusion made from the dried crimson flower of the roselle or hibiscus flower. It can be consumed either hot and cold. Hibiscus tea is used for treating colds, upper respiratory tract pain, swelling (inflammation), fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation. Because it has gentle laxative and diuretic properties, it is associated with weight loss. Dried hibiscus flowers, often labeled flor de Jamaica, have long been available in health food stores and Latin markets in the United States, especially in California and other areas influenced by Mexican customs. In local American supermarkets, hibiscus tea is available as "Red Zinger", popularized by the brand Celestial Seasonings. A great recipe for hibiscus tea can be found at the bottom of this post.

    Montage showing hibiscus tea being poured into a glass

    • YERBA MATE (erva-mate or chimarrão):  it is a South American beverage made by steeping the ground leaves and stems of the yerba mate plant in hot water... very popular in Southern Brazil and Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia (chaco) where is consumed in a calabash gourd. It is rich in antioxidants, enhances physical endurance and the ability to focus, aids digestion, helps with weight control, and supports cardiovascular health.
    • LEMON VERBENA (Lúcia-Lima): Although it is native to Argentina and Chile, it is grown around the world. Lemon verbena is known for strengthening the nervous system, aiding with digestive disorders, and minimizing fevers and colon spasms. It has anti-spasmodic, de-stressing and expectorant properties.
    • LEMONGRASS (erva-cidreira): This may help prevent the growth of some bacteria and yeast. Lemongrass also contains substances that are thought to relieve pain, reduce fever, stimulate the uterus and menstrual flow, and have antioxidant properties.
    • CHAMOMILE (camomila): Chamomile is an herb that has been used for centuries. In many parts of the world, it is used to calm upset stomach or to help with sleep or insomnia.
    • BLACK TEA (chá preto): This is a calorie-free beverage that contains caffeine and can help lower the risk of stroke and heart disease.
    • MINT (hortelã): This is used to relieve allergies, as a decongestant, to aid with indigestion, and to help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It can be consumed hot or cold. In Brazil, it is often mixed with pineapple. For a recipe for Homemade Pineapple Mint Iced Tea, click HERE.
    • FENNEL (erva-doce): This is used for various digestive problems including heartburn, intestinal gas and bloating as well as loss of appetite and colic in infants. It is also used for upper respiratory tract infections, cough, bronchitis, and backache.
    • STAR ANISE (anis): Originating in southern China, star anise has a licorice-like flavor. It is used for easing respiratory tract infections, lung inflammation, cough, bronchitis,  and flu (influenza). Star anise is also used for increasing sexual drive (libido).
    • BOLDUS, BOLDOA, or BOLDEA (Boldo): It is an evergreen shrub, small tree native to central Chile and Peru, also consumed in other South American countries such as Brazil. Boldo leaves have been used by South American natives against diseases of the liver and for the treatment of gallstones. It has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-fever effects.
    • HORSETAIL (cavalinha): Horsetail is astringent, antihemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic.

    As everything else, herbal teas must be consumed in moderation, in accordance with their indication, and should never be used as a replacement for prescribed medicines. This includes our hibiscus tea.

    a glass of tea is held in the fingers of one hand

    Enjoy the season as well as our almond milk matcha tea!

    guide-medicinal-teas

     

     

    hibiscus tea in a glass
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    Hibiscus Tea & Guide To Medicinal Teas

    Prep Time 2 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 8 minutes minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 6
    Author Denise Browning

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups water 48 ounces
    • ¼ to ⅓ cup dried hibiscus flowers
    • 1 stick cinnamon
    • Sugar honey, or sugar substitute to taste
    • Lime wedges

    Instructions

    • Bring water to a boil (about 5-8 mins), turn off heat, and add the hibiscus flowers and cinnamon sticks. Cover and steep for about 15-20 minutes.
    • Strain tea into desired container and stir in sugar or honey to taste. Serve warm with lime wedges on the side. This tea can be served chilled instead. For this, add ice and orange or lime rounds.
    • NOTE: Do not steep tea for a longer time because it can become bitter. If its flavor needs to be strengthen, add more herbs but do not steep tea longer. Inactive prep time: 15-20 minutes. Yield: About 6 cups.

    ** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.

    Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.

    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Comment and rate the recipe. Also follow us on Pinterest at @easyanddelish for more delish recipes.

     

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    Filed Under: American Recipes, Easy And Delish, Easy Drink Recipes, Quick & Easy Recipes Tagged With: tea

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chris Scheuer says

      September 28, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      Very informative and helpful post Denise - it's amazing how many natural remedies there are!

      Reply
    2. Raymund says

      September 29, 2015 at 12:57 am

      Sounds perfect way to start for a cold day or even wind down to the night

      Reply
    3. Deb|EastofEdenCooking says

      September 29, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Your post is so timely! This summer I've started drying herbs from my garden to use throughout the rest of the year. I just harvested mint and lemon verbena yesterday. As the months turn cold and wet I am looking forward to having a mug of steaming hot tea that is also healing and soothing.

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        September 29, 2015 at 3:47 pm

        Great for you, Deb! My family and I get sick every Fall -- either from seasonal allergies or colds. This year it started much earlier than the previous years.

        Reply
    4. Asha says

      October 04, 2015 at 10:48 am

      I enjoyed reading this post. Hibuscus is so healthy, I need to incorporate it into my tea.
      Thanks for a informative post.

      Reply
    5. Anna @ shenANNAgans says

      October 13, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      Oh, how cool. Looks like I need the lemon's & the horsetail in my diet. I kind of knew that herbal teas had their specific benefits, but I didn't know what exactly they were. Does peppermint have similar healing powers to mint?

      Reply
    6. Kate says

      October 14, 2015 at 9:16 pm

      This is so interesting Denise! I'm giving away a hibiscus pairings box from Turntable Kitchen. You should head over to my site and check it out!

      Reply
    7. Little Cooking Tips says

      October 15, 2015 at 2:03 am

      Excellent idea Denise! We both love tea and similar hot medicinal beverages. We also use nettle, Origanum dictamnus (dittany), sideritis which are also very beneficial. And what's better than a hot cup of herbal tea during a cold, right?
      We haven't tried Hibiscus tea, we'll look for those flowers in a store that specializes in herbs and it's close to our current place. Yes, we're still looking for a new place, but it's really hard, as there aren't as many place available as before due to the economic crisis. People are reluctant to move because of the moving costs, so less places are available. But we remain optimistic!:)
      Really great job describing the health benefits of the several herbal tea varieties, it was such an informative post! Thank you!
      Lots of hugs,
      Panos and Mirella

      Reply
    8. Amira says

      October 21, 2015 at 11:50 am

      This post caught my eye .. Hibiscus tea is very popular in Egypt both cold and hot but we prepare it a little bit differently. Very informative post.

      Reply
    9. Dan says

      March 29, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      Some good tips here. Drinking yerba mate chimarrão is a very healthy alternative to any sugary drink. It is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins & minerals.

      When I am on the beach in Sao Paulo I always see people drinking the cold version. It is definitely a refreshing way to beat the heat.

      Reply

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    1. Almond Milk Matcha Latte Recipe - Easy and Delish says:
      January 12, 2021 at 11:57 am

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