Roselle tea

Roselle tea acts as a mild laxative due to the poor absorption of the fruit acids. In African folk medicine, the drug is ascribed spasmolytic, antibacterial, cholagogue, diuretic and anthel- mintic properties, among others.

Roselle tea is also used to suppress high blood pressure. The leaves are a source of mucilage used in pharmacy and cosmetics.

The study by Mozafarri-Khosravi showed that those subject given roselle tea had significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and significant decrease in the mean of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and Apo-B100 at the end of the study (J. Altern Complement Med 15(8): 899-903).

The tea also is beneficial for kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Because of their sour taste and red color, roselle flowers are a popular component in fruit teas for drinking hot or cold, available in filter tea bags and also as instant tea, usually in combination with rose hips.

Additionally, roselle flowers are used in herbal tea combinations indicated for respiratory tract conditions and for stimulating appetite.
Roselle tea