Uses of Hibiscus Tea

The colorful flowering hibiscus can be made into a healthy tea.

Often grown for its showy flowers, hibiscus is a multipurpose shrub, with a long history as an edible and medicinal plant. It is high in Vitamin C and is believed to be an anti-oxidant, making it a common ingredient in many herbal teas.

Benefits

Hibiscus tea has a wide range of benefits. Its anti-oxidant qualities help reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. It is also believed to improve anemia and control body temperature. In some cultures, it is used as an antibiotic, especially for urinary tract infections, and is often used in treating mild stomach upsets, such as constipation and nausea.

Research

According to a study done in 2004 by Herrera-Arellano, Flores Romero et al, hibiscus tea lowers mild to moderate hypertension. In the study, the effects of the tea were compared to the prescription medication, catopril. After four weeks of daily use, both products produced similar results.

Warnings

Care must be taken with hibiscus tea, even though it is considered safe to drink with few known drug interactions. It can cause low blood pressure when combined with medications to treat hypertension. In addition, there are several varieties of hibiscus, and not all of them are edible. If you are making homemade tea, ensure that you are using the correct plant.

References

• Natural Health Research Institute: The Alternative Approach---Hibiscus Tea May Be Perfect Remedy After Stressful Day
• Bastyr Center for Natural Health: Hibiscus Tea to Lower Your Blood Pressure
• Tufts Journal: Tea Time is Healthy Time
• Phytomedicine: Effectiveness and Tolerability of a Standardized Extract from Hibiscus Sabdariffa in Patients With Mild to Moderate Hypertension---A Controlled and Randomized Clinical Trial

Resources

• Australian Native Hibiscus & Hibiscus Like Species: To Eat or Not to Eat?
• Purdue University: Center for New Crops & Plants Products