Hibiscus leaves are pretty and they come in a variety of colors. But did you know that hibiscus leaves have many health benefits too? From improving digestion to helping with the common cold, these colorful leaves can be used in your cooking, salads, or even as a face scrub. Hibiscus leaves are also known for their antibacterial properties and help to eliminate bad breath. Now that we’ve covered all the important hibiscus leaf facts for you, let’s get cooking! Here are some recipes that use hibiscus leaves.
Hibiscus Leaves:
Hibiscus leaves are a springtime delight. They are an attractive addition to your garden, they have many health benefits, and they’re used in some amazing recipes. For more information on these colorful leaves, check out the article below
The Health Benefits of Hibiscus Leaves
Hibiscus leaves have been shown to have high antioxidant levels and are a great source of vitamin C. This makes them an effective remedy for skin problems, such as acne or sunburns. They’re also a good source of iron, calcium, and magnesium.
One of the main health benefits of hibiscus leaves is how they help with digestion. Hibiscus leaves stimulate the production of digestive juices in your stomach, which helps you digest food better. Additionally, hibiscus leaves can be used in recipes that are meant to help ease digestive issues such as constipation or bloating.
Another health benefit of hibiscus leaves is their ability to fight infection. These plants contain antibacterial compounds that work against bacteria and viruses causing infections like colds and flus. Additionally, hibiscus leaves can help eliminate bad breath because they act as a natural mouthwash by killing germs on the tongue and teeth that cause halitosis (bad breath).
How to Use Hibiscus Leaves in Cooking
Hibiscus leaves are commonly used in Caribbean cooking, including in the popular drink called hibiscus tea. Here is a recipe for Hibiscus Tea:
- 1 cup of water
- 3 hibiscus leaves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 cardamom pods
- Pinch of salt and sugar
Steep hibiscus leaves in boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain tea and add back to same pot. Add cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and pinch of salt and sugar to the pan with the hot liquid. Allow tea to simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!
Dry Hibiscus Leaf Recipes
1. Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a popular drink in many cultures. It can be used as iced tea or hot tea and it has an earthy, tart taste. All you need to make this amazing drink is hibiscus flowers, sugar, seltzer water, and ice cubes.
- 2. Hibiscus Gelatin Dessert
- 3 cups of cold water
- ½ cup of sugar
- 25 drops of food coloring (if desired)
- Pinch of cream of tartar
- 2 organic packages of gelatin
- 1 tablespoon of hibiscus leaves
Wet Hibiscus Leaf Recipes.
This recipe is perfect for those who are looking to introduce a new taste into their diet. It’s healthy, refreshing, and perfect for the summertime!
Ingredients:
- -2 cups of water
- -1/4 teaspoon salt
- -3 tablespoons of lemon juice
- -1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- -3 tablespoons of honey or agave nectar
- -6 hibiscus leaves (optional)
Directions:
Bring all ingredients to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until desired thickness is achieved.
Meanwhile, blend a 2 tablespoons of sugar with 4 ounces or 1/2 cup milk and bring it to a boil in a small pan. Add milk mixture to the hibiscus leaves and serve warm.