How Hibiscus Tea Cured My Skin Rash!

This spring has been intense for allergies here in Central Oregon!  We had one of the warmest winters on record, with very little snow, & consequently: everything started blooming a lot earlier than normal.  Including my entire garden!  And about a month ago, I got a skin rash on my chest that just wouldn’t go away.  I tried all my typical remedies: but nothing got rid of this rash.  And then I remembered hibiscus tea.  This quick post will discuss how hibiscus tea finally cured my weeks-long skin rash!

How Did I Get a Skin Rash?!

My best guess as to how I got this seemingly incurable skin rash was from cutting back trees & weeds in my garden.  One particular weed, that has turned into a decent-looking tree, was particularly unruly: I spent about two weeks cutting it back, & then taking ALL of its branches about 100 feet over to my yard bin. 

The problem? 

This particular plant has HUGE thorns on every branch ~ about 5-10 thorns per branch.  So even though I wore double garden gloves, I think some of the thorns must have pricked either my shoulders or chest area, which then developed into a rash on my chest.

 

What Were Symptoms of the Rash?

There were red bumps all over my chest: some larger than others, some that looked almost like welts or hives, & some that eventually scabbed over.  It wasn’t pretty!  I experienced mild itching at times, but not too bad. 

And the rash would get WORSE after a hot bath or a hot shower ~ heat definitely made it worse.

So I started taking lukewarm or cold howers, which helped my symptoms all around.  And I started wearing ONLY shirts that covered my chest….which starts to get limiting after awhile!

 

What Did I Try to Get Rid of the Rash?

I tried both using my favorite natural AND more Western treatments for rashes.  Taking Benadryl at night made some of the swelling go down ~ but it didn’t totally eliminate the rash. 

• Stinging nettle (a great natural remedy for allergies ~ that usually works for me, but didn’t this time)
• Benadryl (calmed the redness slightly) 
• Hydrocortisone cream (calmed the itching ~ but didn’t get rid of the rash) 
• Cold Greek yogurt applied on the chest (this typically works great for any kind of heat rash, as anything with milk is generally cooling) 

But NONE of these methods totally eliminated the rash/bumps.

Enter: Hibiscus Tea

It was my hairstylist who reminded me of the benefits of hibiscus tea for the skin.  After telling her about my rash, she suggested that I go down to the local health food store & pick up some hibiscus leaves, which could then be added to a tea. 

Or in my case, I simply went to Fred Meyer & picked up some organic hibiscus tea! 

I forgot how great it tastes too….this is such an easy way to benefit the skin while enjoying some afternoon tea!

 

Why is Hibiscus So Good for the Skin?

Hibiscus tea has earned a reputation as a “beauty tea” because it’s packed with antioxidants, plant compounds, and nutrients that support healthier-looking skin.  It’s SO true that what you eat & drink definitely affects your skin!

1. Rich in Antioxidants

Hibiscus contains powerful antioxidants such as anthocyanins and polyphenols that help to combat free radical damage.  Since free radicals contribute to premature aging, antioxidants help skin look younger and more vibrant.

2. Supports Collagen Production

Hibiscus provides large amounts of Vitamin C, which plays a key role in collagen synthesis.  Collagen helps to maintain skin firmness, elasticity, and smoothness. Vitamin C is an essential component for radiant-looking skin.

3. May Help Reduce Inflammation

Chronic inflammation can contribute to redness, irritation, acne, and accelerated aging of the skin.  Hibiscus specifically contains anti-inflammatory compounds that help calm the body’s inflammatory response.  I think this is the #1 reason why the hibiscus tea calmed my skin rash so quickly: because it reduced the inflammation I was experiencing ~ both internally AND externally.

4. Promotes Better Hydration

Well-hydrated skin appears plumper, smoother, and healthier-looking.  Drinking unsweetened hibiscus tea contributes to your daily fluid intake, which helps to support overall skin hydration.  Adding *plumpness* is another reason that hibiscus is known within beauty circles to be the “Botox Tea” ~ because plump skin helps to “fill in” any wrinkles!

5. May Improve Skin Elasticity

Research on hibiscus extracts suggests that they may help support skin elasticity by protecting collagen and elastin from oxidative damage. Better elasticity can contribute to firmer-looking skin over time.

6. Supports Healthy Circulation

Hibiscus is well known for its heart-health benefits: particularly its role in supporting healthy blood pressure.  Similar to the effects of exercise, better circulation helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, which can contribute to a healthier complexion.

7. May Reduce Glycation Damage

Consuming excess sugar can damage collagen through a process called glycation, which contributes to wrinkles and premature skin aging. Certain compounds in hibiscus may help inhibit glycation, potentially protecting the skin’s very structure.

8. Can Help Create a Brighter Complexion

The combination of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and improved hydration all combine to create a more even, radiant complexion.  Many people notice their skin looks brighter when they regularly consume antioxidant-rich beverages like hibiscus tea.

 

Studies that Support Using Hibiscus for Skin Health

• From the NIH, National Library of Medicine:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9504376/ 
• Also from the NIH:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8000889/

Traditional Medicine Hibiscus

How Hibiscus Tea Cured My Skin Rash!

Sometimes, you need to see things with your own eyes to believe it ~ & this is indeed the case with me & hibiscus tea, with regard to my skin rash.  When nothing else worked: the hibiscus tea calmed the rash within 24 hours!  A visit to my acupuncturist a few days later made the rash go away even further…so that proved to be a good 1-2 punch.

xoxo Noelia

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