Natural Healing: Cool Down with Hibiscus Punch

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Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a very safe herb when used appropriately. Drunk in large quantities, it can have mild diuretic and laxative effects. And in a recent Journal of Ethnopharmacology study, hibiscus tea was found to lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension. However, the small amount of hibiscus used in this tea should not be enough to affect blood pressure.

Hibiscus punch is a great recipe to make any occasion special—as a delicious iced tea, it’s also great for drinking at home on a hot summer evening. Kids and adults alike love its taste, and the drink is a healthy alternative to high-sugar fruit punches. The punch has a vibrant, deep-red color that makes it look like traditional fruit punch.

This recipe also contains red clover (Trifolium pratense), a mild tonic herb. Red clover is a safe herb, but it should not be used during pregnancy.

Cool Down with Hibiscus Punch
Makes about 5 quarts

• 1 gallon water
• 1 cup dried red clover blossoms
• 2 cups dried hibiscus flowers
• 5 whole cloves
• 1/3 cup cinnamon sticks
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1 cup apple juice

1. Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the red clover, hibiscus, cloves, and cinnamon sticks. Steep for 20 minutes.
2. Add the honey, lemon juice, orange juice, and apple juice.
3. Refrigerate until chilled. Pour into a punch bowl or pitcher, and float lemon slices, orange slices, and fresh spearmint leaves in the hibiscus punch.

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