Introduction: 

Ruby red coloured Hibiscus Tea is often consumed as an alternative to regular tea and coffee. It is refreshing and has a tangy flavour. Hibiscus is found in several warm countries like India, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Sudan, Egypt, Philippines, and Indonesia. The main producers of hibiscus are Mexico, Sudan, Thailand, Egypt, and China. The scientific name of the hibiscus is Hibiscus sabdariffa, and it belongs to the family Malvaceae. Hibiscus is commonly known as ‘roselle’ or ‘red sorrel.’  The fleshy red calyx of hibiscus is often used to make hibiscus tea. Hibiscus is a caffeine-free herbal tea that tastes like berries.¹ Let us look at some hibiscus tea health benefits. 

Nutritional Value of Hibiscus Tea: 

Brewed hibiscus tea nutrition is as follows:  

Table 1: Nutritional Value of hibiscus tea² 

Furthermore, hibiscus has several bioactive compounds like anthocyanin, organic acids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, carotene, and many more.¹ 

Properties of Hibiscus Tea: 

Several studies have shown that hibiscus tea properties may be as follows:  

• It may lower cholesterol levels 
• It may lower blood pressure  
• It may lower blood sugar levels  
• It may act as an anti-microbialagent 
• It may be an antioxidant  
• It may help to manage weight  
• It may act as an anti-canceragent 
• It may reduce inflammation ¹ 

Potential Uses of Hibiscus Tea for Overall Health 

Some of the potential hibiscus tea uses are: 

1. Potential use of hibiscus tea for lowering blood sugar levels 

A study by Jamrozik et al. in 2022 showed that the polyphenols in hibiscus tea might lower blood sugar levels by inhibiting enzymes like α-glucosidase and α-amylase. These enzymes are responsible for digesting carbohydrates and increasing glucose levels after consuming food.³ However, further studies on humans are required to check if hibiscus tea may help to lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, you must check your blood sugar levels regularly and immediately consult the doctor in case of abnormal sugar levels. 

2. Potential use of hibiscus tea for lowering blood pressure 

A study by McKay et al. in 2009 showed that flavonoids like delphinidin-3-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside present in hibiscus tea might reduce blood pressure. Hibiscus is a vasorelaxant as it relaxes the tension on the walls of blood vessels; therefore, it may lower blood pressure.⁴ However, more studies on humans are required to check if hibiscus tea may lower blood pressure. Therefore, you must check your blood pressure and consult your doctor in case of abnormal blood pressure. 

3. Potential use of hibiscus tea for lowering cholesterol 

A study by Sanadheera et al. in 2021 showed that hibiscus tea might reduce bad cholesterol levels (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein). Additionally, it may elevate good cholesterol levels (high-density lipoprotein). This may be due to the antioxidant property of hibiscus tea.⁵ However, more studies on humans are yet to be done to check if hibiscus tea may affect cholesterol levels. Therefore, you must check your cholesterol levels and consult your doctor in case of abnormal cholesterol levels. 

4. Potential use of hibiscus tea for reducing inflammation 

A study by Raduan et al. in 2013 showed that saponins, flavonoids, and plant sterols might reduce inflammation. Hibiscus tea may inhibit cyclooxygenase. Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that elevates the levels of prostaglandins (lipids responsible for inflammation).⁶ However, more studies on humans are yet to be done to check if hibiscus tea may reduce inflammation. You must consult your doctor if you suspect inflammation in your body. 

5. Potential use of hibiscus tea for weight management 

A study by F.J. Alarcon-Aguilar et al. in 2007 on mice showed that anthocyanin, cyanidin, and delphinidin in hibiscus tea might reduce weight. Hibiscus tea may reduce weight by reducing the levels of cholesterol and by inhibiting the enzymes gastric and pancreatic lipase responsible for increasing the fat levels in the body.⁷ However, this is the result of animal studies; more studies on humans are required. You must consult your dietician before making any essential changes in your diet. 

6. Potential use of hibiscus tea for microbial infections 

A study by Jamrozik et al. in 2022 showed that hibiscus tea might possess antibacterial and antifungal activity. Hibiscus tea may possess activity against Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium from the oral cavity, Schistosoma mansoni, and Campylobacter species. In addition, hibiscus tea may reduce the formation of aflatoxin, a toxin produced by fungi.¹ However, more studies on humans are required to check if hibiscus tea may be beneficial for microbial infections. Therefore, you must consult your doctor if you suspect a microbial infection. 

7. Potential use of hibiscus tea for cancer 

A study by Lin et al. in 2011 showed that hibiscus tea might act against cancer. The polyphenols like catechin may be an antioxidant and act against free radicals. Additionally, the polyphenols may inhibit the prostate tumour and deactivate the cancerous cells.⁸ However, more studies on humans are required to check the anti-cancer effect of hibiscus tea. Therefore, you must immediately consult your doctor if you suspect it instead of self-medicating. 

Though studies show the benefits of hibiscus tea in various conditions, these are insufficient, and further studies are to establish the true extent of the benefits of hibiscus tea on human health. 

How to Use Hibiscus Tea? 

You can prepare hibiscus tea in the following way: 

To prepare hibiscus tea, collect the flowers, wash them thoroughly, and dry them. Then, peel off the calyx (the whorl that encloses the petals) and store them in an air-tight container. Take some dried calyx and crush it with a wooden roller. Keep some water for boiling and pour it into a mug. Put the dry calyx in a net or a tea bag and steep in the water for a few minutes. You can add sugar or lemon to add some flavour¹ 

You must visit a doctor before taking hibiscus tea in large quantities or any herbal products. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine or herbal preparation without consulting a doctor. 

Side Effects of Hibiscus Tea 

Studies have shown that hibiscus tea is considered safe when consumed adequately.¹ A few side effects of hibiscus tea may be gas, upset stomach, and constipation.⁹ If you notice any reaction to consuming hibiscus tea, seek immediate medical attention. Consult your ayurvedic physician who has prescribed it to you. 

Precautions to Take with Hibiscus Tea 

The following precautions shall be taken before consuming hibiscus tea: 

• Pregnant and breast-feeding women should be cautious before consuming hibiscus tea⁹ 
• It may not be easy to control blood sugar levels after surgery by consuming hibiscus tea. Therefore, you must avoid drinking hibiscus tea a few days before surgery.⁹ 

It is advised to consult your doctor before consuming hibiscus tea if you have any pre-existing diseases. 

Interactions with Other Drugs: 

Hibiscus tea may interact with the following drugs 

• It may interact with chloroquine, a drug used for malaria. ⁹ 
• Hibiscus tea may interact with diclofenac, a drug used to relieve pain. ⁹ 
• Hibiscus tea may increase the levels of losartan, a medicine used to treat blood pressure. ⁹ 

You must consult a doctor before taking hibiscus tea if you are undergoing medical treatment. 

Frequently Asked Questions: 

References: 

1. Singh P, Khan M, Hailemariam H. Nutritional and health importance of Hibiscus sabdariffa: a review and indication for research needs. J. Nutr. Health Food Eng. 2017;6(5):00212. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pragya-Singh-24/publication/319999247_Nutritional_and_Health_Importance_of_Hibiscus_Sabdariffa_A_Review_and_Indication_for_Research_Needs/links/59c64a92458515548f326de6/Nutritional-and-Health-Importance-of-Hibiscus-Sabdariffa-A-Review-and-Indication-for-Research-Needs.pdf 

2. Beverages, tea, hibiscus, brewed [Internet]. FoodData Central. [cited 2022Nov28]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171946/nutrients 

3. Jamrozik D, Borymska W, Kaczmarczyk-Żebrowska I. Hibiscus sabdariffa in Diabetes Prevention and Treatment—Does It Work? An Evidence-Based Review. Foods. 2022 Jul 19;11(14):2134. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/14/2134/pdf 

4. McKay DL, Chen CO, Saltzman E, Blumberg JB. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. The Journal of nutrition. 2010 Feb 1;140(2):298-303. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/140/2/298/4600320 

5. Sanadheera S, Subasinghe D, Solangaarachchi MN, Suraweera M, Suraweera NY, Tharangika N. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.(red Hibiscus) Tea, Can It Be Used as A Home-Remedy to Control Diabetes and Hypercholesterolemia?. Biology, Medicine, & Natural Product Chemistry. 2021 Jul 27;10(1):59-65. Available from: https://www.sciencebiology.org/index.php/BIOMEDICH/article/view/126 

6. Raduan SZ, Abdul Aziz MW, Roslida AH, Zakaria ZA, Zuraini A, Hakim MN. Anti-inflammatory effects of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L. and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis var. alba ethanol extracts. International journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences. 2013;5(4):754-62. Available from: https://ir.unimas.my/11330/1/7844.pdf 

7. Alarcon-Aguilar FJ, Zamilpa A, Perez-Garcia MD, Almanza-Perez JC, Romero-Nunez E, Campos-Sepulveda EA, Vazquez-Carrillo LI, Roman-Ramos R. Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa on obesity in MSG mice. Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2007 Oct 8;114(1):66-71. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874107003637 

8. Lin HH, Chan KC, Sheu JY, Hsuan SW, Wang CJ, Chen JH. Hibiscus sabdariffa leaf induces apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Food Chemistry. 2012 May 15;132(2):880-91. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814611016396 

9. Hibiscus Sabdariffa: Medlineplus supplements [Internet]. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine; [cited 2022Nov28]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/211.html 

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.