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Sleep is great. I don’t think any person would argue against that. A good night’s rest leaves you feeling refreshed and energized for the next day. Chugging seven energy drinks can never replace the healthy effects that come alongside a full night of uninterrupted snoozing. That’s why it’s so important that you strive to get the best sleep possible every night.
Unfortunately, things don’t always work out like you want them to. As tantalizing as having a restful night sounds, sometimes the idea of sleep is better than the reality.
Nights where you’re tossing and turning will kill the illusion of effortless sleep. The truth is, sleep can be difficult to obtain for some people. Even if your body is telling you it needs rest, that rest might not come easily.
So what can assist you in getting a night of blissful rest? The answer is hibiscus tea!
As is the case with other herbal teas, hibiscus tea isn’t a traditional tea because its leaves are not harvested from the Camellia sinensis, such as black or green tea. However, that doesn’t mean hibiscus is underrated in the slightest. As a matter of fact, hibiscus is one of the world’s most beloved tisanes, consumed across various continents by many different cultures.
There are many species of the hibiscus plant, which belong to the Malvaceae family. Hibiscus thrives in sunlight and inhabits many tropical regions around the world. One popular type of hibiscus - known as Roselle or Hibiscus sabdariffa - is native to parts of East and West Africa. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, commonly referred to as China rose or Chinese hibiscus, is another beloved species of hibiscus that is widely consumed throughout Asian countries.
Buds of the hibiscus plant, known as calyces, are harvested before they bloom and dried, then the petals are infused in water. The resulting liquid is a beautiful shade of ruby that has a tart flavor, reminiscent of cranberries. The exact coloration of hibiscus tea can vary, but it will typically yield a pink or rose hue.
The infusion, once finished, produces a delicious and sour brew that can be enjoyed as a hot cup or a refreshing, chilled beverage. For particularly humid tropical regions, the iced version of the tisane offers relief from the hot climate and has become a staple in many cultures.
Hibiscus has been used for its medical properties for ages in places like the Middle East, Asia, and regions of Africa. Pharaohs of ancient Egypt enjoyed the invigorating taste of hibiscus as a relief from the intense weather and as a remedy for some maladies. Hibiscus helped the Egyptians in reducing fevers and warding off cardiovascular problems.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, hibiscus was used in Malaysian culture to treat fevers and sexually transmitted diseases. The qualities of hibiscus were rejoiced for their curing nature, attributed to the nutrients found in the plant. The large amount of vitamin C in hibiscus aids in boosting the immune system and helps protect the body from contracting illness.
Chinese and Indian recipes call for hibiscus as an additional ingredient to add beneficial, healthy properties to their tea. Both cultures also used hibiscus tea as a method to darken their hair, which was then passed on to parts of the Middle East and Portugal.
There are many different methods that can help you attain a restful night of sleep, ranging from melatonin gummies to warm showers that make you feel relaxed. These are all valid, effective ways of preparing your body for bed time. Unfortunately, they don’t always work for everyone.
This is where hibiscus steps to save your day (or night). A wonderful quality of hibiscus is its natural ability to make you sleepy. There are no prescription pills or relaxation techniques you have to obtain for this. All you need is hot water and hibiscus to unlock the wonders of a rejuvenating night of sleep.
Learning that hibiscus can help you achieve rest is probably all the information you need to motivate you into drinking a cup, but on the chance that your curiosity isn’t yet satisfied let’s talk about some of the science behind the tea. This will clear up the mystery of why hibiscus works as a nighttime beverage.
Though hibiscus tea is free of caffeine, the sleep inducing effects of hibiscus are due to its anxiolytic and sedative properties. The reduction of stress and anxiety puts your body in a relaxed state, making it easier to fall asleep when the time comes. There will be no tossing and turning after consuming this tea.
Hibiscus contains components that can tackle depression, too. Cyanidin and quercetin are both chemicals in hibiscus that work to stimulate processes in your body that are involved in the levels of serotonin and dopamine present. Higher levels of serotonin will help give you a peaceful, long night of rest without as many disturbances to wake you up. Increased dopamine will also aid in achieving uninterrupted sleep by combating restlessness.
Sleep isn’t the only thing hibiscus can help with. This wonderful brew offers many benefits to your health that will improve your quality of living.
As is the case with many other types of tea, hibiscus is absolutely loaded with antioxidants. These important molecules are vital in fighting free radicals, which are produced by way of natural chemical processes in your body. Free radicals interact with other molecules and have the potential to cause damage to your cells, so it isn’t healthy to have a surplus of them in your system. Drink hibiscus to protect your body from the risks free radicals pose.
Hibiscus contains high levels of vitamin C, which is vital to sustaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin C can help facilitate cell growth and repair tissue damage. It also acts as a preventative measure against colds and flus, meaning that you have less of a chance of getting sick when you consistently have vitamin C in your system. Even infections can be fended off with the help of vitamin C. If you hate getting sick, hibiscus is definitely a smart choice of drink.
Research suggests that hibiscus can help treat adults with high blood pressure who experience mild hypertension. When consumed daily, hibiscus produces effects that reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. However, excessive consumption of hibiscus extract can lower blood pressure beyond ideal levels, so make sure you drink it in moderation.
Since hibiscus contains antioxidants that help fight against damage caused by free radicals, it only makes sense that hibiscus benefits liver health as well. Antioxidants are key components in sustaining a healthy liver. The liver produces free radicals since it functions as the body’s primary filtration system, and hibiscus can help to directly filter out those free radicals. This ultimately improves liver health and its ability to function well.
There’s no better way to realize the amazing benefits hibiscus can offer you than by brewing a cup for yourself! It does not matter if you are an avid tea drinker, or just someone who is passing by, because hibiscus can be enjoyed by anyone.
Even if hibiscus doesn’t sound like something that is your typical cup of tea, it doesn’t hurt to try it just to reap the amazing benefits that it offers. Try it as a simple, tasteful evening beverage to help you wind down after a hectic day of work. If it aids in getting you that blissful night of rest that you’ve been craving, then I say that it’s well worth it.
