any advantage to drinking tea vs eating the leaves?

[Jebus]

Dr Greger continuously plugs the advantages of hibiscus tea and because of this I started growing my own. Now I am wondering what the point is to boiling the leaves and drinking them as tea versus simply eating them or including them in my morning smoothie. Unless the boiling process somehow makes it easier to absorb the nutrients it seems like a waste throwing the leaves out after boiling. Anyone know more about this?

[brimstoneSalad]

That's a good question. It could be that some anti-nutritional components are left behind in the leaves or flowers, or some water insoluble toxins. See if anybody eats them as a vegetable somewhere? Some things need to be cooked, as well.