Morag Gamble shows how to make Rosella tea straight from the garden. Rosella tea is popular around the world. This wonderfully flavoured and brightly coloured tea is made from the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers. The rosella calyx is the succulent-like base of the flower.
Morag grows Rosella every year in her permaculture food forest. It is an annual in the subtropics, but a perennial in warmer areas. It is a very hardy plant that has few pest problems.
To find out more about growing and harvesting, see Morag's previous film • Growing Rosella: Edibl... and read about how to grow, harvest and use Rosella on Morag's blog: our-permaculture-life.blogspot...
The richly red tea has a cranberry-like flavour which Morag blends with other things such as peppermint leaves, ginger and lemon myrtle (other lemon flavours are great too - lemon or lime juice, lemongrass leaves, lemon balm or lemon verbena).
Both hot and cold, Rosella tea is delicious and refreshing and has many health benefits.
Rosella is rich in vitamin C and anti-oxidants. It helps to protect against coughs and colds, and builds your immune system.
Rosella has diuretic properties - helps to get rid of unneeded water and salt through urine, which also helps to lower blood pressure.
If taken regularly Rosella tea can prevent bladder infections.
Rosella tea helps to reduce cramps and menstrual pain, and also balances hormones related to mood swings and depression.
Rosella tea contains vitamins and minerals that have antidepressant properties. Drinking rosella tea can help to calm the nerves and relax you.
Rosella tea is drunken by many people to improve digestion.
Rosella tea quenches thirst and cools the body quickly.
Rosella tea can help with weight loss since it restricts the absorption of starch and glucose.
Please note: Rosella tea is not recommended for pregnant women as is stimulates menstruation. Also, since it helps to lower blood pressure, it is not recommended for those with low blood pressure already.
3 апр 2017
