Okra tea is prepared exclusively from the fruits of 12 varieties of okra. The parts of the fruit of this medicinal plant are dried and prepared in the form of a medicinal drink that naturally regulates blood sugar and is used for digestive and stomach ailments.
Okra is a tropical vegetable and can be consumed fresh or dried. It is also known by the names okra and lady’s fingers. Since it is still rarely cultivated in our areas, it can mostly be obtained in markets in dried form. Fresh okra loses its medicinal properties and wilts very quickly, so it is recommended to use it within three days, during which time it must be stored in the refrigerator.
It is believed to have been cultivated in the Nile River Valley since ancient times and to have arrived from the Arabian Peninsula. It spread along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but more towards the eastern parts. It is not used much in Europe, but it is popularized in neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina.
With the Latin names Abelmoschus esculentus L. and Hibiscus esculentus L., okra is known for its green, slightly pod-like fruits and medicinal mucilage that is released during cooking. It is also known as a plant that belongs to the group of aphrodisiacs.
Okra fruits are used as a side dish with meat, main course or in salads and stews. It is a versatile plant that can be prepared in different ways. In neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, the specialty is a dish made of okra – bey’s soup, which is prepared from various roasted vegetables and meat.
In addition to the fruits, its seeds are also edible and are used as a healthier substitute for coffee. They replace coffee in Asian and African countries and in Turkey.
If you haven’t had the chance to taste this versatile and exotic vegetable, we suggest that you try okra tea first. Below we present how it is prepared.
How to prepare okra tea
This tea is prepared somewhat differently from other usual teas. For the preparation of okra tea, boiling water is not used, but cold or possibly lukewarm, which will retain all its medicinal properties.
The leaves and stems of 12 varieties of okra are first dried and chopped, after which the plant is ready for tea preparation.
For tea, you will need two deciliters of cold or lukewarm water and half a teaspoon of okra. After that, the tea should be left overnight or for at least 12 hours. It is recommended to drink it on an empty stomach, right after waking up, so it is best to prepare it the night before consumption.
The next morning, stir the tea and drink it without straining. It is necessary to drink tea and all parts of the soaked plant, necessarily without sugar or any other additives.
Okra tea has no recorded side effects, so children, nursing mothers and pregnant women can safely drink it.
In the case of minor ailments, you will feel an improvement already after drinking one cup of tea, and in the case of slightly more serious ailments, which include chronic diseases, digestive and stomach disorders, the tea needs to be drunk for at least three months in order for it to start working.
The use of okra tea
The dried parts of okra used to make tea can help alleviate all stomach-related ailments such as heartburn, gastritis, reflux, Helicobacter pylori and other ailments. Also, with Crohn’s disease and all diseases of the digestive system.
Okra is specific for its high fiber content, which maintains healthy digestion and intestines. By doing so, it reduces intestinal and rectal inflammation. Antioxidants, on the other hand, will help remove harmful substances and toxins from the body.
Tea is drunk as a prevention for heart diseases and diseases caused by it. Use it for liver problems, it helps to preserve its health and for fatty liver problems.
Its help in alleviating all asthma problems is amazing. Numerous antioxidants in combination with vitamin C will reduce the severity of seizures, as well as their frequency.
Because it boasts a low glycemic index, okra can keep blood sugar levels within normal limits and prevent sudden spikes and drops.
If you have a low level of iron in your blood, drink okra tea, which, along with conventional medicine, will help raise iron levels and prevent anemia.
Okra is often drunk for problems with excess weight. It quite naturally helps regulate body weight and lose weight. It is rich in fiber and protein, but low in fat and calories.
It is important to note that okra tincture is also used for health and beauty purposes. It is often used precisely in combination with tea due to its even stronger effect.
There is evidence that Cleopatra also used okra in many combinations, which is not surprising since today it is considered the elixir of youth – it helps to reduce wrinkles and tightens the skin. In addition, it can also help with severe inflammation caused by acne on the face.
Although okra tea is safe to use and there are no harmful consequences of its use, it is recommended that you contact your doctor before using it, who will give you the green light to drink the tea.
Cultivation and planting of okra in our areas
Okra is an annual vegetable that can be grown in warm and sunny areas. If you sow it in the warm part of the year, you will be able to enjoy the healing properties of the entire plant. Be careful because low temperatures can cause great damage to her. With this in mind, and since it is sown directly into the soil outdoors, the soil temperature should not fall below 15 degrees.
Okra is a plant with a large number of cultivars and varieties, and the choice to sow depends on you. There are large or smaller varieties, in addition to green, there are also some other colors, and the biggest differences are certainly those with regard to height. Some species only grow up to half a meter, while others can grow up to two meters in height.
Okra consists of roots, stems, buds, leaves, fruits and seeds, and the interesting thing is that its beautiful bell-shaped yellow flower blooms only for one day.
You can enjoy the fruits from the end of June until the beginning of winter. If you also want to have this versatile and special plant with exceptional healing properties in your garden, find out here everything about how to meet the sowing conditions and how to maintain and care for it in order to achieve a high yield.
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