What is the Effect of Hibiscus Tea on Blood Pressure?

Hibiscus sabdariffa is native to south-east Asia and was introduced to the African continent in the 19th century. The plant thrives there because it needs sun and heat. Traditionally, it is the women who pick the flowers.
Hibiscus is a genus of plants with very colourful flowers. It typically grows in tropical, subtropical or warm temperate climates around the world, but some species grow in colder climates.
Its meaning can vary from country to country. Women like to wear hibiscus in their hair to beautify it.

A 2013 study found that hibiscus infusion is used in a dozen countries as a natural treatment for high blood pressure, with no evidence of harmful side effects – apart from excessive consumption. Other studies have come to the same conclusion, supporting the idea that hibiscus can lower blood pressure in people at risk of hypertension or with mild hypertension.

The Use of Hibiscus

Native to West Africa, this shrub produces young shoots and leaves that can be eaten raw or cooked like a vegetable.
Its red flowers, dried and then infused, are also used in sauces and jams or to make bissap: an infusion and syrup that produces a red drink drunk chilled and very sweet (sometimes prepared with mint) in West Africa, including Senegal and Mauritania, where one of its popular names has become « Coc’Afrique » (« Seille » in Guinea, « roselle » in Jamaica) or « Agua de Jamaica » in Mexico. It’s a drink rich in ascorbic acid (hence the tangy taste).

In East Africa and the Middle East, the drink is known as carcadé (or karkadé, karkadeh; from the Arabic karkandji). In Egypt it is prized for its medicinal properties and is drunk hot or cold. The flowers of Hibiscus syriacus are edible and have emollient properties (= they relax and soften tissue). They were once used in traditional medicine to treat coughs and angina.

1- Best Natural Remedies for Depression

Natural antidepressantHibiscus infusion is one of the natural remedies for depression, combating certain signs such as fatigue, despair, lack of motivation and so on. It’s a new area of research, but studies have shown that certain bioflavonoids found in hibiscus flowers can help combat depression.

As with blood pressure, the effects of organic hibiscus on blood lipids also apply to diabetics. In fact, a 2009 study found an increase in good HDL cholesterol and a decrease in both bad LDL cholesterol and triglycerides when diabetics drank a hibiscus infusion twice a day.

Organic hibiscus flower harvest by Biologiquement
An important fact is that these results are confirmed in diabetics. In fact, one study found that after just 4 weeks, diabetics who drank organic hibiscus infusion daily had lower blood pressure. The recommended daily dose was 3 cups.

Another study found that organic hibiscus infusion may even be more effective than hydrochlorothiazide, a widely used antihypertensive molecule, and did not have the disadvantage of causing electrolyte imbalances.

As well as being edible, hibiscus flowers have several medicinal virtues and cosmetic benefits, particularly for the skin and hair.

As is customary in India, hibiscus can be used to beautify the hair. The petals are dried and then mixed with water to make a hair mask.

Lower blood pressure
Several studies suggest that hibiscus infusion is highly effective in lowering blood pressure, even in people with health problems that increase their risk of high blood pressure.

Therapeutic benefits of organic hibiscus flowers:

– Improves digestion

– Cleanses the body and eliminates water retention (detox drink)

– Helps with weight loss

– Helps fight high blood pressure and cholesterol

– Treats urinary tract infections

– Treats eczema

– Treats menstrual pain

– For insomnia

– For muscle pain

– Preparation for fasting

2-Prevent Oxidative Stress

Organic Hibiscus Infusion is packed with antioxidants that fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This is due to the plant’s anthocyanins, the natural pigments that give the flower its red colour.

One study found that drinking hibiscus infusion increased the antioxidant load in the blood and reduced the amount of compounds that contribute to oxidative stress. As the participants had high levels of hippuric acid, the researchers concluded that the polyphenols in organic hibiscus had been converted by the gut microbiota.

3- Natural Prevention of Breast Cancer

Prevention of certain cancers
Hibiscus is increasingly being studied for its effects on cancer. One laboratory study found that hibiscus extract could kill leukaemia cells. The mechanisms behind this effect are not yet known, but the results are promising. Similar results have been found in relation to stomach cancer.

4- Hibiscus Tea Weight Loss

The antioxidants in organic hibiscus protect cells, but other compounds in this plant may also promote weight loss and minimise the health problems associated with overweight and obesity. Several studies have found a link between hibiscus infusion and a faster metabolism. Organic hibiscus extract can even reduce the absorption of starch and sucrose after a meal.

Drinking organic hibiscus infusion at least once a day can help combat insulin resistance, a common sign of pre-diabetes. In fact, this infusion can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Another obesity-related condition is non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, an excess of liver fat not related to alcohol consumption. Studies have shown that organic hibiscus infusion is good for liver health, preventing the accumulation of fat in the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and hepatocellular failure.

Remedy for Staph Infections

Organic Rosa sinensis hibiscus flowers, one of the plants sometimes used to make hibiscus infusions, have antibacterial properties, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus.

Prevention of Kidney Stones

As organic hibiscus infusion is a diuretic, it has been studied in relation to the kidneys and urinary system. One study found that this infusion could reduce the occurrence of compounds involved in the formation of kidney stones.

Hibiscus sabdariffa – Guinea sorrel – is a shrub whose large, colourful flowers with long pistils are short-lived, lasting just one day.
Native to West Africa, this shrub produces young shoots and leaves that can be eaten raw or cooked like a vegetable.

 Preparing for Fasting

Preparation is the key to a successful fast.
You can rely on the synergy of plants to optimise your fasting preparation.

1. Desmodium to tone the liver
2. Hibiscus-Curcuma-Ginkgo biloba herbal tea synergy to facilitate the elimination and drainage of toxins
3. Moringa leaf and baobab fruit powder provide minerals and trace elements to support cellular function. They remineralise the body, improving cell function and increasing vitality.
Maintaining healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Hibiscus may help people with lipid disorders to better balance their cholesterol and triglyceride levels. What’s more, these are two risk factors for metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms that can be particularly damaging to people’s health. One study showed that organic hibiscus flower was an excellent natural remedy for reducing cholesterol and triglycerides in people with metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

You could see all the benefits of hibiscus for your health. It’s not just a flower, it has extraordinary properties.
You can use it in different ways according to your needs.
Before using any herb, you should consult your doctor or health advisor. Always choose the best quality tea.

 

This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on the links below and purchase the products.

Click to wiew