Hibiscus is popularly known as being useful for high blood pressure. A study done in 2010 seems to support this idea. Sixty-five adults, who were not taking blood pressure medications, took hibiscus. The results showed a change in arterial pressure as compared to a placebo. The conclusion of the study was that the daily use of hibiscus tea, in an amount easily incorporated into the diet, lowered blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.
Another study done in 2008 compared hibiscus tea with black tea in diabetics. The subjects of the study were given black tea or hibiscus tea for 12 days. The researchers concluded that hibiscus tea had positive effects on the blood pressure of the type II diabetic patients with mild hypertension. The black tea drinkers showed a slight increase in blood pressure. Scientists theorize that the polyphenols in the hibiscus are responsible for the beneficial results.
Hibiscus tea is readily available on the market and if you like gardening you can grow your own. Hibiscus tea is also high in antioxidants, minerals and vitamin C. Brewing hibiscus tea is very easy. You can get it in tea bags, or loose. Simply boil 1 cup of water for every serving you want and add 1 teaspoon of herb. Let it steep a few minutes and cool to a drinkable temperature.
As with any herbal preparation, be sure to consult your healthcare practitioner before using hibiscus for therapeutic purposes.
http://www.hibiscusworld.com/history.html
hhttp://www.flowertemple.com.au/viewFlowerFromLibrary.aspx?fid=29&n=Hibiscus
http://culturemedicine.com/?p=92
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20018807
http://www.nature.com/jhh/journal/v23/n1/full/jhh2008100a.html
Be sure to check out my website at www.valerielull.com. I also have a facebook page called Ten Healthy Teas. My book Ten Spices for Health and Longevity is now out in paperback. It is available at www.amazon.com
Valerie Lull
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com
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