Studies have been accumulating to show that drinking a few cups of hibiscus tea daily can significantly lower elevated blood pressure in people with pre- and mild hypertension. In a paper that appeared in the Journal of Nutrition in February 2010, Tufts University researchers reported an average drop of over 7 mm HG for hibiscus versus only 1.3 mm Hg for placebo in these types of hypertensive people. The effect was stronger for systolic than for diastolic blood pressure. This is a potentially mild and helpful adjunct for treatment of this common and dangerous condition. Talk with your doctor, monitor your blood pressure, and see if this is right for you.
The great thing about hibiscus tea is that unless you are allergic to it, it is a benign step to take to help in your overall program of controlling your blood pressure. Yes, diet, exercise, salt avoidance, smoking cessation, and certain natural supplements can all help lower elevated blood pressure too.
