Q. I found hibiscus tea with wild raspberry at the supermarket. This makes a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up without caffeine or sugar. Drinking a cup in the morning and another in the afternoon made an immediate difference in my blood pressure. In fact, the one day I didn’t drink the tea, my blood pressure measurement went back up.
A. A review of the research on Hibiscus sabdariffa shows that an extract of this flower lowers blood pressure in animals (Fitoterapia, March, 2013). In humans, daily hibiscus tea consumption lowers blood pressure (Journal of Nutrition, Feb., 2010).
This herb works by blocking the same enzyme (ACE) as drugs like captopril or lisinopril.
Sara reported: “I use about eight to ten teabags for about a half gallon of tea for iced tea, and I also use Splenda (or whatever sweetener you desire). The hibiscus tea I first ordered has been discontinued, or at least I could not find it at the site I had bought it, but found some at another site and it only took a very short time to get used to it. I bought bulk and bags. The bags are less messy and easier to use. Of course, if making hot tea, I just use one tea bag.”
Hibiscus tea is available in Celestial Seasonings’s Red Zinger and a number of other brands where herbal teas are sold.
You can learn more about non-drug approaches to hypertension in our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment.
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