Hibiscus Tea and Blood Pressure

Hibiscus tea affects your blood pressure.

Hibiscus Tea and Hypertension (high blood pressure)

A study by researchers from Tufts University of Boston

If you have high blood pressure, hibiscus tea can help you lower it. Studies conducted by researchers from Tufts University of Boston show that drinking three cups of hibiscus tea daily lowers blood pressure by an average of 7 points after six weeks.

The study evaluated 65 healthy people with modestly elevated blood pressure. One group of people were given a placebo in the form of hibiscus-flavored water. Another group was drinking three cups of hibiscus tea each day.

After six weeks, the first group observed a 1-point drop in blood pressure, while the second groups observed a 7-point drop in blood pressure. People with the highest blood pressure at the start of the study benefited the most.

Now you may think “only 7 points?”. It’s not “only” 7 points! Even small permanent changes in blood pressure will reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.

A study by researchers from the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, Washington

Another study, conducted by researchers from the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, Washington, shows that after four weeks of hibiscus tea (16 ounces a day) or captopril (25 mg) treatment, the effectiveness of them was statistically similar: the lower number of a blood pressure reading was reduced by at least ten points in 79% of the people receiving hibiscus and 84% of those receiving captopril.

The study evaluated 70 healthy people with mild to moderate hypertension who had not received treatment for at least one month before the study.

These two studies show that hibiscus tea can reduce blood pressure in people with mild to moderate hypertension as effectively or almost as effectively as antihypertensive drugs.

Hibiscus tea + a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and exercising on a daily basis can greatly help you lower blood pressure and prevent you from heart failure, stroke and other serious health problems. Read more about hibiscus tea and heart health.

If you take any antihypertensive drugs, you should first ask your doctor if you can drink the tea. Hibiscus can interact with some blood pressure lowering drugs. Hibiscus tea can’t replace your doctor’s advice!

Hibiscus Tea and Hypotension (low blood pressure)

If you have low blood pressure, you must NOT drink hibiscus tea. It lowers blood pressure by an average of 7 points after six weeks of drinking it on a daily basis which can be enough to cause serious health problems to people with low blood pressure.

In case of hypotension, consuming hibiscus tea can cause dizziness, faintness or even damage to the brain or heart. Stay on the safe side and do NOT consume hibiscus in any way.