Cockade tea: composition, beneficial properties and contraindications

"Karkade - the nectar of the East, gives strength and courage, it is the cure for all diseases" - the beautiful words of an unknown poet say about a bright red drink with a ruby glow, enticing pleasant aroma. This is the karkade tea, considered the drink of pharaohs and men of royal blood.

Only in the last 20 years a culture of drinking teas - green, jasmine, acacia and other exotic varieties from different countries, especially from China, Vietnam, India, Ceylon - has appeared. Previously, the industry did not indulge its citizens with diversity. They made do with loose, Georgian or Indian tea, at best Ceylon tea. Only special tea connoisseurs ordered unusual teas for acquaintances and friends going to Turkey or Egypt. That's how kartakade was discovered. Now the situation has changed, the world is open, so the varieties of beneficial teas that can be a cure-all have spread everywhere.

What is used to make kartakade tea?

Sudanese rose (Latin name Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a flower, one of the species of hibiscus, of the Malva family, has several names: roselle, rosella, red sorrel, rose of charon. The Sudanese rose is thought to be native to India, from where it spread to Sri Lanka, China. It is also known in Thailand, Egypt, Sudan and Mexico.

Karkade (or Karkadeh in Arabic) is derived from the inflorescences of a type of hibiscus flower called the Sudanese rose. The petals are exceptionally dark maroon in color and the inflorescences are picked, dried in a warm, dry place, and packaged. The drink brewed with boiling water and infused is called karkade.

This ruby-colored drink, with a sour taste and a subtle sweet flavor, is successful in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. It has many names, which indicates its popularity and success: the mallow of Venice, the drink of the pharaohs, the king of Egypt, red rose, kenaf, okra, kandahar, red tea. In Latin American countries, the drink obtained from the Sudanese rose is called "hamayka. In Egypt, it is considered a national drink, and is very thirst-quenching and warming on cold evenings, which are not uncommon in tropical countries. It is drunk with added sugar, honey, hot or chilled, and spices.

This tea is a very thirst-quenching drink, and has many health benefits.

Composition and calories

Why is it so attractive, why is it given so many positive epithets, why has it become the "drink of kings"? What is the secret of such popularity? The chemical and vitamin-mineral composition of karkade is impressive. The following components have been found here:

Vitamins .
Reacting with other substances, they contribute to the removal of antioxidants, improve health, increase immunity:

1. Nicotinic acid, niacin, participating in oxidation reactions, body repair, helps in the formation of enzymes and is involved in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
2. Retinol or vitamin A - helps to restore and maintain skin tone, is involved in the process of mineralization of the body.
3. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) - improves immunity, is involved in maintaining healthy bones, teeth, capillary walls and blood vessels.
4. B group of vitamins - helps the recovery of the body, cellular metabolism.
5. Tocopherol (vitamin E) - promotes anti-inflammatory processes.

Carotenoids, organic natural substances responsible for pigmentation:

• Anthocyanin - gives a ruby, wine-like hue to the drink;
• rutin - affects the hematopoietic system, excretes antioxidants;
• beta-carotene - strengthens muscles, has a positive effect on vision.

Also:

1. Flavonoids boost immunity, resist outside harmful influences, participate in the fight against parasites, clean the gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system.
2. Organic acids that stimulate immune support, improve skin condition, rid the body of toxins, exacerbate vision, have a beneficial effect on the overall condition of the human body (it contains tartaric acid, citric acid, malic acid). Organic fatty acids also contribute to the recovery and maintenance of tone.
3. The rich iron content is important for people with anemia. Iron activates brain activity, lowers blood pressure.
4. Pectin, reacting with poly- and monosaccharides, triggers antioxidant defense. Helps cleanse the intestines, digestive tract of toxins and waste, supports the liver and cleanses it.
5. Fiber is represented by dietary fiber, normalizing the digestive tract and intestines.
6. Magnesium helps the nervous system, relieves irritability, promotes a sense of calm, aligns the emotional perception.
7. Calcium strengthens the bone system, dental enamel, relieves muscle tension.
8. F vitamins are responsible for fat metabolism, convert carbohydrates into useful energy, removes cholesterol from the blood. With their help, the body gets healthier by restoring metabolism, and the symptoms of diabetes disappear.

The caloric value of the drink is only 48 kcal per 100 grams of dried florets. A 250 ml kettle with 4 g of flower tea will give the body only 5 kcal. With honey and sugar, the caloric value increases to 60-80 calories.

Useful properties of curcade tea

General benefits

The wide range of vitamin, mineral and acid composition of Carcade is universally recognized and used as a panacea for all diseases and ailments in Arab countries, especially in Egypt and Sudan.

With so many beneficial minerals, vitamins and acids, Carcade boasts a beneficial effect on the human body:

1. Antioxidants, pronounced in the tea, remove carcinogens from the body, purifying the blood, lymph and organs. Regular intake of properly brewed tea is a cancer preventative.
2. The brewed warm infusion helps the gastrointestinal tract, relieves heartburn, and reduces acidity.
3. Fiber frees the intestines from destructive toxins and impurities, making the intestinal tract work. Renews the microflora of the digestive tract through a laxative effect.
4. The high content of ascorbic acid affects the immunity resistance to respiratory and viral diseases.
5. A group of vitamin F controls and reduces cholesterol levels.
6. Hibiscus flowers are used for cosmetic purposes in the form of lotions for skin problems.
7. Diuretic properties are useful for the gallbladder and liver. Stimulates the pancreas, relieves swelling.
8. Beneficial effect on the walls of blood vessels, capillaries. Stimulates the cardiovascular system, normalizes palpitations.
9. Helps the eyes, improves vision, strengthens the eye muscles. This is a preventive measure for those who work a lot in front of the computer.
10. During colds normalizes the temperature, relieves fever, having antibacterial effect.
11. Actively affects the urogenital system.
12. Eliminates toxins by breaking down ethyl alcohol. Facilitates the lungs and respiratory tract.
13. Fights parasites, worms.

For women.

Women are special lovers of new varieties of tea. Red hibiscus tea was appreciated by the ladies of the weaker sex, who experienced the effects of this drink on themselves. Sour-sweet taste, unusual wine color, healing components give the tea the properties of ambrosia from paradise.

1. The tea is useful to women because of its effect on the hematopoietic system and hemoglobin, which is very important in critical days. It relieves muscle tone before menstrual days, reduces soreness.
2. Very useful tea during menopause. It normalizes the hormonal background, affects the nervous system, soothes and relaxes the body. "Flushes" during menopause go unnoticed and do not lead to panic attacks.
3. Hair, scalp condition improves, dryness disappears. Curls become silky, elastic, changed the structure of brittle and split ends.
4. Unusual taste and composition of the drink affect mood and increase stress resistance. Even with a single drink, it is noticeable that the tea pours an invigorating and invigorating source over the body, relaxing every cell, lifting the mood and relieving fatigue.
5. The drink strengthens the walls of blood vessels, helping to reduce the appearance of capillary lattice, helps with venous dilation. But before taking a drink for medicinal purposes, it is better to ask for a doctor's advice.
6. Tea affects the condition of the skin, keeping it young and slowing down aging.

For men

Arab men have been drinking karkade all their lives, indicating that they are thus revitalized, and as a big secret, they report that it is a natural aphrodisiac. The tea has become part of the culture, a tradition that positively influences the health of the nation. Karkade helps to tolerate hot climates and maintains body temperature balance at the peak of sunshine.

In addition to the properties that are useful to the fairer sex, the drink also has a positive effect on men when taken regularly:

1. Tea increases potency and male longevity by affecting the urogenital system and prostate.
2. Passionate tea drinkers claim that male infertility cannot resist the drink. This is also possible, if you take into account the composition of the carcade.
3. Men are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases than women, so it is important for prevention to drink tea from kartakade. Thus, you can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke and bradycardia.
4. Troubles and difficulties in life, men often keep to themselves, glossing over the problems and driving themselves into stress. The drink has a positive effect on the nervous system, calming and relieving irritability, and normalizes the emotional state.
5. Active sports, hard physical labor are easily tolerated if you take the tea to restore strength and body. It increases stamina and relaxes muscles, relieving stress and fatigue.
6. The drink quickly eliminates toxins from the body, removes alcohol intoxication, restores water balance, removes the symptoms of a hangover, tones and energizes.

When pregnant.

Individual characteristics of the body may be a contraindication in the reception of kartakade during pregnancy. Foods with bright yellow, orange and red colors should be introduced into the menu with caution. This will enable you to avoid allergic reactions of the body, the appearance of rashes and swellings and other troubles.

Consultation with the doctor will help expectant mothers to choose the right diet, which will not harm the fetus. If there are no obstacles to the consumption of karkade, then you can drink tea with health benefits:

1. Tea relieves toxicosis, nausea, malaise that occurs at the beginning of pregnancy, improves intestinal peristalsis.
2. It has a favorable effect on the development of the fetus, helps the formation of the nervous system.
3. Strengthens the vascular system, which affects the saturation of the blood with useful nutrients, helps the proper development of the child.

During the last two months of pregnancy is better to abandon the daily tea intake.

When breastfeeding

For a young mother who is breastfeeding, the issue of nutrition is very acute. Poor ecology, poor quality products - all this affects the health of women and children. Many are prone to allergic reactions, poisoning life and health.

The food that the mother takes affects the quality of breast milk and the baby. In order that the child does not grow up anemic, weak and unhealthy, it is important to accustom him to different foods from infancy, gradually introducing products "from simple to complex" into the nutritious diet of the mother. Hibiscus drink certainly has these properties that set it apart from the rest of the products. Tea promotes the formation of milk, activating the vital energy of the mother, gives strength, enriching the blood with iron, strengthens the immune system.

Non-strength infusion of karkade is quite suitable for the first intake of a nursing mother. Observation and monitoring of the baby at once will help to identify problems, if they appear. In that case, it is better to cancel the flower tea. In the absence of problems, you can take the carcade, but strictly observing the proportions and amount (no more than 1 cup per 2-3 days). Over time, you can increase both the strength and the number of intakes. From a spoonful of sugar in tea, it is better to give up.

For kids

Vitamins, amino acids contained in kartakade are also useful for the growing body, children from 4 months of age, when complementary feeding with porridges and mashed potatoes begins. But, of course, it should be a weak warm infusion. As the baby grows, it can be added to the diet on a permanent basis.

The drink strengthens the immune system, affects bones, joints, teeth, eyesight, fights bacteria and viruses. If you regularly give your child karkade tea (but no more than 1 cup a day), it will restore strength, activate brain activity, increase performance.

It is better to take tea after breakfast, so that it affects the body during the day, but in no case on an empty stomach. Otherwise, you can not avoid unpleasant feelings in the stomach.

What is the usefulness of kartakade tea for weight loss

For overweight people who want to lose weight, the "drink of the pharaohs" helps start the metabolic processes in the body and speed up the metabolic reaction, which eventually leads to getting rid of excess weight. At the same time you should switch to a proper diet, engage in physical labor. Invigorating exercise in the morning before breakfast with the obligatory intake of tea from Sudan will give good results and enjoy weight loss.

The composition and properties of the beverage Carthage contribute to the removal of toxins from the body. Fruity acids in the composition relieve swelling, remove excess fluid, and speed up the metabolism. Group of vitamins F is involved in the metabolic reaction, converting carbohydrates into energy, which affects the reduction of the volume in the waist, improving the overall condition of the body, restoring skin color.

Researchers and tea aficionados have developed a special schedule for weight loss. For 3 weeks, you should drink the brewed karkade after a meal 3 times a day. After completing the course, take a break for 10 days. The positive result should be consolidated by repeating the course (for another 3 weeks). Physical exercises, the transition to a diet with lots of vegetables, fruits, cereals, with the absence of smoked, salty delicacies, reduction of meat products, as well as the use of Sudanese rose tea will give the desired weight and shape.

Carcade tea in medicine

Folk medicine remedies are undoubtedly helpful in dealing with health problems. But when it comes to serious diseases of the blood and internal organs, without the recommendations and advice of the treating doctor can not do without.

In terms of composition and usefulness, decoction of hibiscus petals is superior to green tea. By affecting the organs, blood vessels and the central nervous system on a cellular level, the kartakade tea has a beneficial effect on the body. The drink has a number of positive properties, which is also applicable for medical purposes.

In case of diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a "silent killer", an ailment that occurs in people all over the world. When neglected and when detected late, it causes irreversible consequences. Depending on the type of diabetes, treatment and support in the form of insulin is prescribed. The disease can be controlled if it is detected early. By following the diet, following the doctor's recommendations, the patient can live a long life, be active and energetic.

Taking kartakade in the form of prevention and treatment, it is necessary to take into account its following properties:

1. It contains in its natural form captopril, a biologically active substance that reduces blood sugar levels.
2. Reduces and removes harmful cholesterol from the blood.
3. Positively affects the work of the heart, the state of the blood vessels.
4. Relieves irritability, calms the nerves, improves sleep.
5. Increases the body's resistance to bacteria, fungi, parasites that diabetics are prone to.
6. Quickly removes from the body the remains and products of the decay of drugs that the patient takes with diabetes.
7. Facilitates the work of the pancreas, helping the metabolism, activating metabolic reactions.
8. Reduces weight.
9. Stimulates the work of the liver.

Carthage in diabetes can be recommended as a preventive measure, helping to better the treatment and maintain the performance of the patient. Tea can not replace a full treatment. A day of 2-3 glasses of 200 ml in hot or cold form can support the body and help the process of recovery.

Important: The glycemic index of kartakade is 0 units.

In pancreatitis

In acute pancreatitis, there is an inflammatory process in the body, accompanied by digestive disorders, there is often vomiting and nausea, diarrhea, general weakness and lethargy. They cause dehydration of the body and loss of useful minerals and salts that keep the body functioning. At this stage, you can take kartakade tea, but only in a freshly brewed and cooled form, which will help restore the body's water-salt balance.

Cacade affects the pancreas, bringing it into working order to restore metabolism. It is worth paying attention to the fact that in the acute stage you should not take acidic and bitter products, so it is better to limit the amount of drink to 1-2 glasses per day.

With gastritis

Increasing the level of acidity in the stomach, kartakade can provoke peptic ulcer and gastritis. To improve the general condition and restore strength that may have gone to a sleepless night due to illness, you can drink a freshly brewed and cooled glass of karkade. Continuous intake in large quantities should be limited.

For constipation.

Red tea acts on the intestines as a laxative. But with large portions and frequent intake, it can show the opposite effect, causing unpleasant constipation. In case of constipation, a decoction can be prepared and the petals can be eaten by carefully chewing them into a mush.

In gout.

The diuretic properties of red tea help to eliminate uric acid from the body, formed during the breakdown of purine. It relieves swelling, normalizes metabolism, restores the water-salt balance. For a positive effect on the body it is necessary to take red tea regularly, 3 times a day.

For the liver

To cleanse the liver and remove harmful toxins from it, you should take freshly brewed hibiscus with mint leaves, cooling and adding a little honey or sugar. For prevention, it is enough to drink 1 cup per day for 10 days, to relieve intoxication - 10 days 2-3 cups per day. It is necessary to cancel the intake of kartade in the stage of exacerbation of chronic liver disease. In biliary stone disease, the reception of red rose is prohibited.

Does hibiscus tea increase or decrease blood pressure?

High blood pressure and related pathologies, like diabetes, are at the forefront of the diseases of mankind, threatening hypertensive crisis, stroke at an early age. In recent years, there has been a "rejuvenation" of the disease due to many environmental and nutritional factors.

Carcade and its properties, when used correctly, can significantly reduce blood pressure and thin the blood. For those with low blood pressure, it is best to refrain from tea or to take it only when it is hot. Observations and studies have shown that a hot beverage increases blood pressure by causing vasodilation and a strong outflow of blood.

Hypertensives should take their tea cold. This will help avoid the hypertensive crisis caused by a sudden spike in blood pressure when taking hot tea. By taking tea regularly at the same time, after a meal or 30 minutes before a meal, you can keep your blood pressure at the same level. Daily self-monitoring of the blood pressure for 10 days after starting to take it gives a clear picture. By adjusting the time and amount of tea you can get rid of high blood pressure. Lifestyle and diet play an important role.

Carcade tea in cosmetology

Folk remedies with the use of kartade have a wide range of action, are used not only for medical indications, but also in cosmetology. It would be strange that tea, which has such beneficial properties, would not be used by practical women to maintain the beauty of the body, skin and hair. Dermatologist-cosmetologists recommend creams containing kartade for mixed and oily skin.

In facial creams with regenerating and regenerating properties, hibiscus plays an important role - it strengthens small capillaries and blood vessels, moisturizes, smoothes and smoothes the skin. The fruit acids contained in hibiscus are particularly effective in exfoliating and pore-shrinking products, masks for cleansing procedures.

Hibiscus is used in the production of cosmetics with antiseptic action. These are gels, foams after shaving, extracts for baths, shampoos, creams and tonics. Red rose can also be used at home to make your own body and skin care products. For making a decoction, you can use apothecary Carthage, as it is sold as dried petals. To prepare a decoction, take 2 tsp. petals per 200 ml, boil with boiling water and once again bring to a boil. It is important to know that the broth should be made in a porcelain or glass kettle, using wooden sticks or porcelain spoons rather than an iron spoon.

Mask (oily skin)

• Decoction of rosella - 2 tbsp.
• Oat flour (oat flakes) - 2 tsp.

Mix the ingredients. Apply to the problem areas of the face skin. Let the mixture act for 15 minutes. Wash off.

Rejuvenating mask (for all skin types)

• Handful of hibiscus - approx. 2 gr.
• Pour cold water - 1 tbsp.

Pour water over hibiscus, so that the petals spread out and soak in the water. Place them between two thin layers of cotton cloth. Apply it to face, cleavage and neck. In 20 minutes remove it. It is also possible to put it on the eyelids to soothe swelling. The mask helps to reduce the appearance of pimples and acne, reduces greasiness.

Lifting mask for mature skin

• A handful of petals - about 2-4 grams.
• Cold water - 1 cup.
• Honey - 1 tsp.

Mix the petals seasoned in cold water with honey, apply to the problem areas of the face (nasolabial folds, wrinkles, bridge of the nose). Rinse off with warm water in 15 minutes. Can be used for 10 days or 2 weeks, after which the result will be visible, oily shine will disappear.

Peeling mask

• Sudanese rose - 1 tbsp.
• Boiling water - 1/3 tbsp.
• Ground natural coffee - 1 tbsp.

Boil petals. In a strained infusion pour ground coffee. Allow cool and steep. Clean the skin with massaging movements. Rinse with a tampon and cool water.

Hair rinse

• Red Rose - 1 tsp.
• Boiling water - 1 litre.

Pour hot water over hibiscus. Pour into a thermos and leave for 1 hour. Strain the resulting decoction through a sieve. Apply to rinse hair after each wash. Use for 1 month, depending on the results, you can extend for another month. Rinse strengthens and protects the hair from the harmful effects of the environment, does not allow them to quickly become dirty.

Harms and contraindications

Contraindications to the use of kartade relate to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and a number of other pathologies:

Ulcers and gastritis. Since tea has a high acidity, in case of ulcer disease, its intake is undesirable. With gastritis, it is better not to take it, but to increase the recovery of the body can be limited to 1 cup of a weak solution a day.

1. Stones in the biliary tract and bladder, in the kidneys, severe kidney disease.
2. The acute stage of any chronic diseases.
3. Hypotension.
4. Pregnancy in the last months of pregnancy.
5. Allergy to kartakade and individual intolerance of the components.

Please note:

1. Tea may reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.
2. After taking tea, it is important to rinse your mouth or use a straw to protect your teeth from the negative effects of acids.

How to choose and store kartakade tea

Quality tea that has all the above properties, with beneficial acids, vitamins and minerals, can be bought in countries where it is considered the national drink. In particular, these are Egypt, Sudan, Angola and the Philippines and Mexico. Local sellers offer the product from different regions, which differs in appearance, smell, but the beneficial properties of the divine ambrosia are preserved in any of the species.

The goods sold in our stores can be imitation, fake. Producers, for the sake of profit, replace natural products with artificial substitutes, using dyes, dried algae, flavor imitators, biological additives. You can't be 100% sure of the exclusivity of tea in bags, where it is crushed into powder. It is better to take bags with real dried hibiscus petals. They are sold in large grocery stores or drugstores. Careful inspection of the petals and bracts of the flower will help identify the quality of the product. The petals should be a deep maroon color, not black. The light speckles of pink should be clearly visible.

Storage
Keep in a dry place, without overcooling or overheating. The tea should not come into direct sunlight. The optimum shelf life and shelf life of the petals if the storage conditions are maintained is 3 years.

How to brew mushroom tea

Tea connoisseurs know three ways to brew Sudanese rose:

• brewing;
• hot method;
• Cold brewing.

Boiling
The authentic brewing method is the Egyptian version, where tea is poured over boiling water and brought to the boil in hot sand, just like Turkish coffee. Two pinches of petals are taken per 250 ml mug, which is about 4 grams. The brewed drink is strained with a strainer and drunk in the company of good people, small sips. It turns out that the decoction is enough for four small cups of fragrant and tasty tea. Egyptians add vanilla or cinnamon, ginger, or honey to the tea. In our conditions, you can use a stove instead of hot sand.

Hot
At home, tea can be brewed in a container of glass, porcelain, ceramic at the rate of - 2 tsp. per 300 ml of water. Pour boiling water and allow to stand for at least 10 minutes. You can enjoy a ruby drink, adding sugar, honey or other spices to taste. It is better to take bottled water, purified and soft.

Cold
The next method is based on the use of cold water (300 ml), with which hibiscus (2 tsp) is poured. The kettle is placed on the fire and brought to a boil - the first bubbles should appear on the surface. At this point, remove the pot from the fire. Allow to infuse for 3 hours. The decoction prepared in this way is used for medicinal purposes and retains the maximum beneficial properties.

Tea should have a beautiful, ruby or deep burgundy color, not cloudy. Taste - sour-spicy, not bitter. The aroma is pronounced and unique.

How to drink regular hibiscus tea

For prophylactic and toning-up purposes, it is better to drink Sudanese Rose during the first half of the day, after breakfast for one hour or 30 minutes before lunch or dinner.

For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to drink the tea 30 minutes after meals and medicines.

How much you can drink per day

It is recommended that no more than 3 cups of tea per day be consumed for its preventive and restorative properties. A larger amount can raise blood pressure and cause unpleasant constipation. For the therapeutic effects, 1-2 cups per day is sufficient.

Can I drink it at night

Three hours before going to sleep, it is better to give up tea so that you do not toss and turn in insomnia.

Which tea is healthier: hot or cold

Tea brewed with the cold method for medicinal drinking will bring more benefits, because in this method the healing properties of rosella are preserved.

The hot, classic method is acceptable for people who are healthy and do not have problems with internal organs and chronic diseases.

Interesting facts about hibiscus tea

1. Egyptian hibiscus tea has a bright sour taste, while Mexican hibiscus tea has a slightly bitter taste.
2. Spices, mint and lemon can be added to the drink.
3. The steeped petals can be added to hot dishes, soups and salads. Meat and fish dishes will get a little sourness from the boiled petals.

An interesting and unusual discovery may be the fact that all parts of the hibiscus plant are used for food:

• The leaves go for salad;
• flowers are used in confectionery products;
• The flowers are also stewed with meat and vegetables, added to salads and sauces;
• Fried seeds are added to soups and hot dishes.

Once you know all the ins and outs of the Sudanese rose, you can take a different look at the unsightly and strange dried petals on store shelves. The benefits of rosella for humans are undeniable, but only with the right approach and use.

Picture of the kartakade tea