Health Benefits Of Hibiscus Tea, According To Experts

Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as Florida cranberry, Roselle, Jamaica sorrel and red sorrel, is a flowering shrub native to Central and West Africa and is currently grown around the world.

Hibiscus tea is caffeine free with a dark red color and a tart, fruity flavor profile, says registered dietitian Michelle Routhenstein, a certified diabetes educator, owner of Entirely Nourished, a virtual nutrition consulting practice, and a Forbes Health advisory board member.

Hibiscus tea is made from dried calyces, a collection of edible sepals (the outermost part of the flower that covers the petals before they bloom), says Routhenstein. The tea, which is popular in South and Central America, parts of Africa and the Caribbean, is also consumed in the U.S., she adds. Additionally, hibiscus tea can be used as an ingredient in alcoholic cocktails, and the calyces are used in jams, sauces, ice cream, wine, fermented beverages and other foods.

To prepare hibiscus tea, pour boiling water over the flowers in a steeper or infuser or over a tea bag, allowing the tea to steep for five to seven minutes before drinking, says Shahzadi Devje, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator based in Canada. The tea can be consumed as is or with honey or another sweetener and lemon to enhance its flavor.

Hibiscus sabdariffa was used in ancient China to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), fever, inflammation and kidney and bladder stones. Hibiscus is also used for medicinal purposes in India, Thailand, Africa, Mexico and Africa to improve liver, bladder and intestinal function, reduce fever, lower blood pressure and increase blood vessel flow. However, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to substantiate the tea’s potential medicinal applications and people with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, and bladder and liver conditions, should consult with a health care expert for treatment.

Below are some of the potential health benefits of hibiscus tea—although research is limited for conclusive evidence of the tea’s medicinal effects. Some studies used hibiscus extract and not tea, for example, which is a much more concentrated form and may yield different results, Routhenstein says. Studies using hibiscus extract in test tubes is considered preliminary research that can’t be extrapolated to humans, she adds.

Possible Reduced Risk for Chronic Diseases

Hibiscus tea is rich in polyphenols, including anthocyanin, which has anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, notes Routhenstein. Hibiscus also contains flavonoids, phenolic acids and tannins, which are also polyphenols.

Polyphenols have antioxidant properties that help protect against cell damage, a contributor to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Flavonoids have been studied for their anti-cancer, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as well as possible use to help lower the risk for high blood pressure and heart disease.

“The calyces, those colorful outer parts of the flower, are particularly rich in anthocyanins, including delphinidin 3-sambubioside and cyanidin 3-sambubioside,” says Devje. The antioxidant effects of hibiscus are intriguing, but more study is needed before researchers can confirm hibiscus tea might lower the risk of chronic disease.

“It’s important to remember that everyday hibiscus tea is made with roughly 1 tablespoon of hibiscus per cup,” Devje says. “In research, however, scientists often use highly concentrated extracts, making them substantially more potent. This contrast underscores the need for cautious interpretation of research findings.”

May Aid in Blood Pressure Management

Some research indicates hibiscus tea may help lower blood pressure and provide heart health benefits by reducing inflammation and improving blood vessel function, says Routhenstein. “The hibiscus flower contains a combination of nutrients that allow for these improvements, primarily anthocyanins and phenolic acids, such as gallic and hippuric acid specifically,” she says.

A very small study from 2019 in the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology and Research found that participants with stage 1 hypertension who drank two cups of hibiscus tea daily, combined with healthy lifestyle changes that included reduced salt intake, lowered their blood pressure significantly. Participants in the control group who didn’t drink hibiscus tea also lowered their blood pressure by exercising, losing weight and eating a low-salt diet. However those results were less significant^[1]Jalalyazdi M, Ramezani J, Izadi-Mood A, Madani-Sani F, Shahlaei S, Ghiasi S. Effect of hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure in patients with stage 1 hypertension. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology and Research. 2019;10(3):107–111. .

“Hibiscus appears to influence blood vessels and kidney function, and certain substances within the body, contributing to blood pressure reduction in several ways,” says Devje. “The tea could facilitate relaxation of blood vessels, potentially by hindering calcium entry into muscle cells or by mimicking the effects of a diuretic, prompting the kidneys to excrete more salt and water, resulting in decreased blood pressure.”

Although hibiscus might slightly lower blood pressure in people who have hypertension, research on hibiscus tea’s blood pressure effects is limited, with existing studies suggesting only a small lowering effect, according to the National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).

It’s important to note that hibiscus is not an alternative to high blood pressure medication. Individuals with high blood pressure or any chronic issue should talk to their doctor before trying hibiscus tea.

May Help Prevent or Manage Diabetes

A 2020 review of multiple studies, including those on humans, indicated that hibiscus supplements lowered both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in participants with type 2 diabetes. A 2019 review that included studies on humans suggests that hibiscus may help prevent and manage diabetes.

In addition to helping manage diabetes, hibiscus extract may improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar levels, that raise your risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Researchers suspect chemicals in roselle appear to reduce sugar in the blood and improve blood flow.

While more research on humans is needed to confirm if hibiscus might be useful in helping with managing diabetes, individuals with diabetes may also experience high blood pressure, inflammation and oxidative stress, and may benefit from drinking hibiscus tea for these conditions, according to Routhenstein.

It’s important to note that hibiscus isn’t an alternative to helping control blood sugar in people with diabetes. Hibiscus is also not a substitute for diabetes medications prescribed by a health care provider. Individuals taking medication for any chronic issue should talk to their doctor before trying hibiscus tea.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services

WeightWatchers

• Eat the foods you love, and still lose weight with an updated, simplified program
• Simple, flexible approach with a Points® system and easy tracking in the WW app
• No boring meals with 12,000+ recipes and a restaurant database
• Expert support from coaches both online or in person

Get Started

On WeightWatcher's Website

Hibiscus tea is generally considered safe for most people. Side effects are rare but might include an upset stomach, gas or constipation.

Drinking hibiscus tea during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may not be safe, however. The tea may also affect blood sugar levels during and after surgery, so individuals should stop drinking hibiscus tea at least two weeks before undergoing a surgical procedure.

Certain drugs can potentially interact with hibiscus tea. For example, medications that are changed or broken down by the liver, such as Cytochrome P450 1A2 and Cytochrome P450 2A6 might not interact well with hibiscus tea. Speak with a health care professional about potential drug, supplement or herbal interactions before adding hibiscus tea to your regimen.

Hibiscus tea may also cause adverse interactions for people taking chloroquine for treatment or prevention of malaria.

Other drugs that have a moderate risk of drug interactions with hibiscus tea include:

• Diclofenac (including Voltaren)
• Losartan (Cozaar)
• Diabetes medications
• Blood pressure medications
• Simvastatin (Zocor)

There may also be a minor risk that drinking tea while taking the pain reliever acetaminophen (Tylenol) could make the body get rid of the drug more quickly, but more research is needed to confirm this effect.

“If you are on blood pressure medication, Losartan in particular, it’s important to discuss with your healthcare team whether hibiscus tea consumption is appropriate for you,” Routhenstein adds. “Hibiscus tea may increase Losartan levels in the blood, leading to dangerously low blood pressure. Individuals on other blood pressure medications should also monitor their blood pressure closely, especially if they drink hibiscus tea, to ensure it stays within normal range, she adds.

In general, however, hibiscus tea is safe for most people and has a rich antioxidant profile, notes Routhenstein. Drinking one or two cups per day is generally safe for most people. If you have questions, medical conditions, or are on medication, always consult your physician.