The hibiscus flower, Hibiscus sabdariffa, can be grown in ornamental and medicinal gardens. Tea made from the flowers, served hot or cold, turns red and imparts a cranberry-like flavor and aroma. Although hibiscus tea is considered mild for the general population, it could carry some risks for pregnant women. Always check with your doctor before trying any herbal teas or new foods during pregnancy.
History
Iranians call hibiscus flower tea "sour tea." Other names for the flower that hint to its tangy taste and global presence include vinagrillo, Oseille de Guinee, pink lemonade, Afrika Bamyasi and Jamaican sorrel. Hibiscus tea and extracts from all parts of the hibiscus plant, including the leaves, roots, seeds and flowers, have a long tradition in human history as beverage and medicine in the parts of the world where the tropical plant flourishes.
Uses
Hibiscus tea has been used to lower blood pressure, treat constipation, shrink cancerous tumors or kill intestinal worms. The New York University Langone Medical Center notes that, along with its principal use as a blood pressure-lowering treatment, hibiscus has been studied as a treatment for scurvy, cancer and liver problems. Its effectiveness, however, remains undetermined.
Risk
Pregnant women should avoid drinking hibiscus tea because the plant has emmenagogue effects, meaning it stimulates menstrual flow. The stimulation of menstrual flow carries the risk of miscarriage. Drugs.com categorizes hibiscus tea as a substance with "documented adverse affects" for pregnancy. NYU Langone Medical Center indicates that the exact safe dose of hibiscus tea for pregnant women remains undetermined.
Pregnancy and Herbal Teas
The American Pregnancy Association lists several herbal teas as "likely safe" or "possibly safe" for pregnant women to drink. The "likely safe" designation is the APA's highest rating and denotes foods and drinks rigorously tested by organizations such as the Federal Drug Administration. "Possibly safe" means that there is little evidence to suggest a risk of miscarriage or fetal harm. Herbs considered "likely safe" or "possibly safe" include raspberry leaf, lemon balm, peppermint and ginger root tea. Other recommended herbs include slippery elm and oat straw. Herbs and herbal teas that carry a risk for pregnant women include chamomile, pennyroyal, black cohosh, blue cohosh, passionflower, goldenseal and dong quai. The APA recommends eliminating or reducing your intake of green tea and other caffeinated teas during pregnancy.
References
- Drugs.com: Hibiscus Tea
- American Pregnancy Association: Drinking Herbal Tea During Pregnancy
- American Pregnancy Association: Natural Herbs and Vitamins During Pregnancy
- New York University Langone Medicinal Center: Hibiscus
- George Mason University; Medicinal Plants-Hibiscus, Roselle; Galina S. Karman
- BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Herbal Medicinal Products During Pregnancy: Are They Safe?; Professor E. Ernst; March 2002
