Hibiscus
Hibiscus teas and supplements usually use the red calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa, a tropical plant also called roselle. It is mostly studied for blood pressure.
Also listed as Hibiscus Extract
A promising result, with variation
A review of 17 trials found lower systolic pressure, the upper reading, with hibiscus than non-drug controls. Responses varied substantially between studies and tended to be larger when starting pressure was higher. A separate Cochrane review used narrower eligibility criteria and found only one suitable trial, leaving very low confidence in the result. 1 2
Positive trials support further study, but differing preparations and review findings limit certainty. 1 2
What did the tea trial show?
In 65 adults with mildly elevated pressure who were not taking blood-pressure medicine, three 240 mL servings daily for six weeks lowered systolic pressure more than placebo. The diastolic difference was not significant. This supports a possible dietary contribution, not a reason to replace prescribed treatment. 3 4
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Cardiovascular2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
Organ Function1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Longevity1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Hair & Skin1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
All studies
3 publications are linked to Hibiscus, newest first.
Sources
- Red tea (Roselle) for lowering blood pressure in adults Cochrane, 2021
- Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults Journal of Nutrition, 2010 · Study record