Roselle Drinks

Roselle Drinks
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. var. sabdariffa), belonging to the family Malvaceae, is an important multipurpose annual under-shrub preferred for its red, acid, succulent calyces, young leaves, stem, fruits ,seed and seed oil for food, beverages and in Yunani and modern systems of medicine throughout the tropics and subtropics.

The dried calyces have acquired a considerable reputation in the international trade as a substitute for tea and coffee and as a popular softdrinks. The fresh calyces are used as a vegetable or eaten as salad or used in confectionaries, in the preparation of soups, curries, chutneys, sauces, jams, jellies, squashes, tarts, tisanes and wines. The astringent herbal drinks made form hibiscus, known as medicinal tea, is used as a cure for fever, cold, pneumonia, and is said to possess diuretic, demulcent, emollient, laxative, antiseptic, antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, and choleretic properties. The drug is also to cure heart and nerve disease, asthma, and skin diseases. Besides, the seeds contain fatty oil, proteins, starch and lipids. Medicinally, the seeds are reported to have demulcent, diuretic and tonic properties and recommend in cases of dyspepsia, strangury and general debility.
Roselle Drinks

Chrysanthemum Tea as Traditional Medicine

Chrysanthemum Tea as Traditional Medicine
Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat normally use as an attractive flower for horticultural purpose in Europe, but in several Asian countries such as China, Korea and Japan it has been use as a traditional medicine. The flower of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, owing to its broad pharmaceutical effects as well as it fragrance, is also used as a beverage – chrysanthemum tea.
Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat is widely distributed in most habitats of China as well as Korea and Japan. In China, it is cultivated mainly in Zhejiang province along the Yangzi River. Ting Xiang City of this province, also refer to as the “City of Chrysanthemum,” produces about 4000-5000 tons of chrysanthemum flower each year, which accounts for more than 90% of the total Chrysanthemum production in China.

Chrysanthemum Tea is prepared in the same way as traditional tea. The dried flowers are infused with hot water for over 10 min. and the tea is ready to serve. For clinical usage, the chrysanthemum is boiled either alone or together with various herbs, according to the prescription to suit a specific clinical purpose.

Based on traditional usage, in addition to use as a tea Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat is used for common cold, fever, migraines, conjunctivitis, eye irritation, hypertension, ulcerative colitis, vertigo, ophthalmia with swelling and pain, etc. As a mixture with other herbs, it has been claimed to be able to relieve migraines and eye irritation, improve vision and cure keratitis.

Apart from the above traditional usage, there were also other usages, such as antitumor activities. Chrysanthemum water extract was found to significantly inhibit growth of transplanted tumor in mice, suggesting that the water soluble components of chrysanthemum may have potent chemopreventive effects.
Chrysanthemum Tea as Traditional Medicine

The differences between herbal tea and common tea

The differences between herbal tea and common tea

Basically there are two different categories of tea: herbal tea and common tea.

What's the difference between them?

• Herbal tea serves as medicine. It is made from brewing raw medicinal herbs in a pot for some time. The result is a brown or black solution, never green.

• The Chinese drink common tea for pleasure because of the good flavors. It is made by just pouring boiling water over the processed tea leaves or bag you put in a cup. Over a hundred varieties exist with different smells and tastes. The great majority is brown or black in color. Some are green or reddish.

Is common tea good for health?

• Yes because it is flavored water and water is good for health. Also, the taste makes us feel good so it must be good for our health.

• Some medicinal herbs that have a sweet taste and easily soften in hot water are also used at home or in the restaurant. However, their health effects are limited because they are not strong enough when being used singly.

• If not diluted, it can help ease digestion.

• It also helps dissolve some fat in the food. The Cantonese must drink it with Dim Sum, a tasty, colorful, but oily food.

• If we drink it everyday like we drink water, it will have a good cleansing effect on our digestive system. It may help us lose some weight, too.

The differences between herbal tea and common tea