Hibiscus tea controls high blood pressure

Boston, February 9: For those worried about blood pressure, now a cup of Hibiscus tea may be just the answer.

Researchers from the Tufts University in Boston said drinking three cups of herbal tea containing hibiscus juice a day, provides the best natural remedy for high blood pressure sufferers.

The hibiscus tea research was carried out by nutrition scientist Diane McKay and presented at the American Heart Association's annual conference. The study looked at 65 people aged between 30 and 70 having high levels of blood pressure. They were split into two groups. The first group drank hibiscus three times a day for six weeks and the second group were given a placebo.

The diet, activity and blood pressure of the participants was monitored daily. After the six weeks, the hibiscus group showed a drop of 7.2 per cent in blood pressure, and those at high risk, showed 13.2 percent drop. The placebo group recorded a 1.3 per cent drop.

The results of this study demonstrate that a tea made from a standardized hibiscus flower extract can reduce blood pressure in people having mild to moderate hypertension. Hibiscus flowers have several components and properties that contribute to its blood pressure–lowering effect. The antioxidantsdefine in hibiscus could add to its cardiovascular benefits by protecting blood vessels and heart muscle from oxidative damage. Furthermore, its safety and low potential for causing negative side effects make hibiscus an attractive alternative to antihypertensive medications.

Health campaigners were upbeat about the findings but said the evidence was not yet conclusive. High blood pressure or hypertension is caused by a number of environmental and genetic factors as well as diet.

Will Irving, owner of Ibis Organics, which makes a hibiscus-based drink called Simply Hibi in United Kingdom, said, “The results of the study by the American Heart Association show very clearly that drinking hibiscus can provide a step in the right direction for sufferers.”

Mike Rich a spokesman for the Blood Pressure Association said, "This is an interesting but small study, and more work would need to be done to gauge whether drinking hibiscus tea can actually sustain a lowering in blood pressure."

About 16 million Britons suffer from high blood pressure, about 40 per cent of the adult population. High blood pressure can cause strokes and heart attacks.

Hibiscus flowers are used in soft drinks in parts of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. They have a fruity taste that makes hibiscus popular as both hot and cold tea. It is already used to treat high blood pressure in Taiwan.