Hibiscus Tea May Lower High Blood Pressure
We read a great deal about the health benefits of true tea, the leaves of the Camellia sinensis. However, there are a number of very healthful herbal teas as well, including hibiscus tea. The dried calyces of the hibiscus are already used to make a pleasant drink in many cultures. Now the Journal of Nutrition reports that this tea once drunk for only for enjoyment might help lower blood pressure.
The study was conducted at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston. Previous studies on this subject were performed either in test tubes or on animals. This placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was the first conducted with people. Scientists selected 65 pre-hypertensive or mildly hypertensive women and men between the ages of 30 and 70 for the study.
Half of the participants received a placebo made from artificial cranberry and raspberry flavoring and red food dye. The participants put drops of the placebo into hot water three times a day. Those receiving the actual hibiscus tea steeped one bag of dried, ground hibiscus calyces in 240 ml. of hot water for six minutes. Both groups consumed their beverages three times a day for six weeks.
Each group’s blood pressure was measured at the beginning of the study to establish a baseline. By the end of the six weeks, those drinking the hibiscus tea had lowered their systolic blood pressure by 5.5 percent. The systolic pressure of the group drinking the placebo showed no change in relationship to the baseline. The result would indicate that adding three cups a day of hibiscus tea could lower blood pressure for many people.
That isn’t difficult to do considering the fact that hibiscus is the base ingredient for many herbal teas. Celestial Seasonings, who supplied the hibiscus calyces for the study, uses it in many of their teas. Rishi Teas has a very taste hibiscus-based iced tea blend as well. In addition, the Republic of Tea has just released five new Flower Power teas created for good health and flavor.
Hibiscus tea is easily available and the study indicates it can be as effective as medication. Even so, a person with high blood pressure should always consult his physician before beginning any herbal regimen. Nor should hibiscus take the place of true tea (Camellia sinensis). True tea has more known health benefits than any other natural source known to date. Drinking both herbal and true teas would seem to be the best way to assure good health.
brewed on Feb 24th, 2010
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