Hibiscus Cooling Tea
Beat the Heat with Hibiscus Tea!
Summer can be disastrous for our Lymphedema and mindset. The heat can cause increased swelling, inflammation, and pain. Finding ways to cool off can help physically and emotionally. Focusing on cooling from the inside out and the outside in can offer relief for your whole body!
Sipping on this tea cools your body from the inside out, while nourishing your blood, liver, lymph, skin, and gut. Plus, it’s delicious and beautiful!
Hibiscus is true lymph-loving herb you might just grow to love!
One of the beautiful things about hibiscus is it’s beneficial to drink warm or cold. Hibiscus is part of the marshmallow family and has moistening, demulcent, and cooling properties, which are beneficial for our internal our external skin in the summer. The heat and sun can dry us out on the inside and outside. To get the most out of the moistening properties of hibiscus, it benefits from a long steep, or letting it steep cool. Enjoy it cool after a long steep on the counter or in the fridge for extra refreshing beverage on a hot day!
Ingredients
2 tbsp. Hibiscus, dried
5-6 Mint leaves, fresh (optional)
1-2 Lime wedges, (optional)
Water, cool or freshly boiled
Sweeteners, such as honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup (optional)
Cool steep
With a large bodum or 1L mason jar, measure 2 tbsp. Hibiscus tea, pour cool water overtop, and let steep 2-4 hours or more. Overnight is great. Then strain, sweeten, add freshly squeezed lime wedges to the jar/Bodum. Then, serve with ice. Tips: When I know a hot day is coming, I brew this up first thing in the morning and place it in the fridge so it’s nice and cool by the afternoon when the hot part of the day arrives here.
Warm steep
For a warm tea, measure the same amount of dried hibiscus and pour freshly boiled water overtop, add a lime wedge, and mint leaves, and steep for 5-10 min. Strain and sweeten if desired. Drink warm.
