Hibiscus Lime Popsicles

Hibiscus Flowers

According to Wikipedia, hibiscus tea is popular as a natural diuretic; it contains vitamin C and minerals, and is used traditionally as a mild medicine.

People with kidney ailments often take it for its beneficial properties and as a natural diuretic.

Studies have shown that consuming hibiscus tea may lower blood pressure.

In the Indian traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, hibiscus is considered to have medicinal properties. The roots are used to make various concoctions believed to cure ailments such as cough, hair loss or hair greying. As a hair treatment, the flowers are boiled in oil along with other spices to make a medicated hair oil. The leaves and flowers are ground into a fine paste with a little water, and the resulting lathery paste is used as a shampoo plus conditioner.

Ingredients:

4 cups water
2 cups honey
1/2 cup organic dried hibiscus flowers
Freshly grated zest of one lime
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4 - 6 limes, depending on how juicy they are)

Directions:

- Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.

- Add the honey and stir.

- Add hibiscus flowers, turn off heat and let the mixture steep at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour for a stronger color and flavor.
- Strain the syrup into a metal or glass bowl and chill in the refrigerator until cold.

- Pour 2 cups of the syrup into a glass pitcher or bowl; stir in 1 cup cold water, lime zest, and lime juice. I like to add one thin lime slice to each mold.

- Pour into a popsicle mold and freeze until solid.
- Makes approximately 8 popsicles depending on your mold.

Family Style Food