Recipes
Raspberry Hibiscus Iced Tea
By Katie Stewart · July 16, 2021 · 3 min read
Did you know that up to 60 percent of the adult body is made of water?
Here’s a breakdown by body part. According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158:
- Lungs: 83% water
- Muscles and Kidneys: 79% water
- Brain and Heart: 73% water
- Skin: 64% water
- Bones: 31% water
These numbers make it clear that adequate hydration is vital for every function in the body, especially for healthy skin.
Over in my acne program, The Clear Skin Solution, I tell my clients to aim for 2-3 litres of water per day. This includes coconut water, cold-pressed juice, broths and non-caffeinated herbal tea like this raspberry hibiscus iced tea.
This refreshing drink is perfect to bring to a bbq with friends or simply to sip on while you relax in your backyard on a hot summer day. But before we get into how it’s made, we need to chat about the importance of hydration for acne-sufferers.
Hydration for Healthy Skin
Drinking enough water is essential for clear skin for a number of reasons.
First up, water is needed for proper detoxification as it helps flush toxins from the body and supports liver and kidney function. Water is also eliminated from the skin as sweat, which can help the body get rid of heavy metals and toxins. If detoxification pathways are blocked, breakouts may occur because the body is trying to excrete toxins that other organs are having trouble dealing with.
Good ol’ H2O keeps the intestinal system healthy too as it promotes balanced gut bacteria and nourishes the mucosal lining of the intestines. This is important because gut health is the foundation for clear skin.
When it comes to acne, dehydration can lead to irritated, flaky and dry skin. In order to compensate, the body will overproduce oil resulting in more breakouts. That’s why you need to keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water or this raspberry hibiscus iced tea.
Benefits of Hibiscus for Skin
On top of promoting hydration, the hibiscus in this raspberry hibiscus iced tea has a load of health benefits such as aiding weight loss and lowering blood pressure. But here are the advantages of hibiscus when it comes to healthy skin.
1. High in Antioxidants
By combating free radicals in the body, antioxidants work to reduce the signs of aging and damage to the skin. Hibiscus is packed with antioxidants and thus, can help decrease the harmful effects of free radicals. More specifically, hibiscus is high in the antioxidant vitamin C. This vitamin can reduce acne scarring because it promotes tissue regeneration and collagen production. Vitamin C can also brighten and even out your skin tone.
2. Supports Liver Health
Research shows that hibiscus can promote a healthy liver. A properly functioning liver is crucial for clear skin because it helps expel toxins and filter hormones.
If the liver is overburdened with chemicals and hormones, however, skin issues like acne can start to pop up.
3. Improves Digestion
Due to its diuretic properties, hibiscus can help digestion because it regularizes urination and bowel movements. Healthy daily bowel movements are crucial for clear skin because it eliminates acne-triggering toxins and hormones filtered by your liver and prevents them from being reabsorbed.
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- ½ to ¾ cup honey depending on preferred sweetness
- 8 bags organic hibiscus tea or 14 grams
- 2 cups raspberries
- 8 sprigs fresh mint
- Ice
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a medium pot.
- Remove from heat. Add tea bags and stir in honey.
- Cover with a lid and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Remove tea bags and pour into a glass pitcher.
- Let cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- To prepare glasses, add desired amount of ice to each glass and top ice with raspberries. Add a sprig of mint.
- Pour tea into the glasses and serve immediately.