Hibiscus has been long been used as a medicinal herb to manage a variety of conditions ranging from liver disease to fever. It is currently being studied for its possible ability to lower blood pressure. However, evidence to support its use in the management of high blood pressure is still lacking. If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor before using hibiscus medicinally.
Treatment
High blood pressure is a serious disease because it can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. You may not know that you have high blood pressure because it usually does not have symptoms so have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure that is in early stages and mild may sometimes be controlled by adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including diet and exercising regularly, acupuncture and herbal supplements, such as hibiscus.
How It Works
Hibiscus may lower blood pressure by several possible actions, including blocking a natural substance in the body called angiotensin I converting enzyme, which causes blood vessels to narrow, thereby increasing blood pressure. Other possible beneficial effects include stimulating the immune system to enhance wound healing, lowering blood cholesterol levels, and inhibiting the herpes simplex virus. Hibiscus also contains substances that may act as antioxidants, as well as lower fever, relieve pain and prevent muscle spasms.
Effectiveness
Several studies in people with high blood pressure have shown that hibiscus may have notable blood pressure lowering effects. Comparison of hibiscus to black tea showed that hibiscus lowered blood pressure significantly more than black tea. Other research has shown that the blood pressure lowering effects of hibiscus may be similar to some medicines used to treat high blood pressure.
Preparations and Dosing
Hibiscus is commonly taken as a tea. It has been studied in doses of 1 to 2 teaspoons, or 3 to 6 grams, of dried flower infused in 1 cup of water, taken three times daily. For lowering blood pressure, 2 teaspoons, or 5 to 6 grams, of dried flowers have been brewed as tea, and then taken two to three times daily. Some have used daily doses of 10 grams infused in water for blood pressure lowering.
