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| Love it or Hate it |
When we get snow or rainy days on the East coast I like to stay in doors and just relax with a nice cup of tea, movie, and good food.
My choice of a hot cup of tea...
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| A touch of Cinnamomum Cassia bark gives it a spice kick |
Hibiscus (Hibiscus Sabdariffa)
A beautiful flower (Mallow family) that has many health benefits. (Thank you Mother Nature)
The flower is also known as agua de flor de Jamaica, rosa de Jamaica. Hibiscus tea is referred as
"sour tea" in Iran. Originally from Angola and now cultivated throughout Sudan, Egypt, Thailand, Mexico, India, and China.
Hibiscus is very high in antioxidants and vitamin C - especially dried flowers. It contains glycosides hibiscin, gossypetin, quercetin, and the active flavonoids delphinidin and cyanidin. The natural compound gives it the deep red color.
The flavonoids in the hibiscus flower helps dilate blood vessels for the heart. Hibiscus has a good side effect for the heart in maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol. Plus helps to maintain normal body temperature.
Hibiscus is not only excellent for heart health maintenance but for quite a few other areas in the body that can be beneficial for optimal health.
More Beneficial Health Performance
- Immune System. The vitamin C in the flower helps develop and keep the white blood cells active ( a bonus to fight off infections and reduce inflammation).
- Digestion and Bowl function. Can relieve constipation, gas, and bloating.
- Water Retention. Encourage fluid balance in the body.
- Weight Loss. Helps break down starches and sugar.
- Upper Respiratory.
- Positive impact on the liver.
- Toxic to cancer cells.
- Reduces estrogen levels. *Those on birth control, hormone replacement therapy, pregnant, or breastfeeding should avoid the tea.
*Hibiscus flower is one powerful plant in which precautions need to be mention.
- Individuals who has low blood pressure must avoid drinking Hibiscus tea.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding women should avoid because hibiscus can stimulate the uterus.
- People who are on pharmaceutical drugs - acetaminophen (a common over the counter pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory drugs should be careful with regard in consumption of Hibiscus tea. Why? The natural compound hibiscus flower is made of can counteract in the process of the drugs. That is why you really need to sit down with your doctor on finding ways on how to start decreasing the amount of medical drugs you are taking and look into more of the natural remedies that Mother Nature has to offer. These pharmaceutical drugs can do more harm to the body than helping with a solution to the problem. The body needs to heal and strengthen not put a band aid on the problem and cause havoc to other organs.
What to do?
Blood Pressure Maintenance
One 8oz cup of Hibiscus tea 2x a day
Restlessness
Add Lemon Balm and Chamomile to Hibiscus tea
Cholesterol
One 8oz cup of Hibiscus tea 2x a day
*Note: The Cinnmomum Cassia should not be preferred as the "True" cinnamon. Ceylon Cinnamon is the "True" cinnamon. Difference is the Cassia bark is thick, darker, and hard (in picture). Ceylon cinnamon is light in color, brittle, and thinner. The Cassia cinnamon is the well known and mostly in all supermarkets than the Ceylon Cinnamon. (You will most likely have to venture out of your neighborhood markets to look for this cinnamon. It's worth it and better (less toxic on the liver). I like to use the Ceylon cinnamon for a medical effect tea than the Cassia. The Cassia I like to use in cooking and adding spiciness to my teas or hot chocolate.
My food choice...
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Turkey & Cheddar cheese sandwich with mustard and tomatoes
(No nitrates and preservatives)
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A snowy day like this cannot get me down especially not with the comfort of a nice tea and a good sandwich.
So, what do you do on a day like this? Or a rainy day?
