New studies are following the use of Hibiscus in the fight to lower high blood pressure

Hibiscus tea is the infusion made from Hibiscus sabdariffa flower, an herbal tea drink consumed both hot and cold by people around the world. Hibiscus tea has a tart, cranberry-like flavor. It contains vitamin C and minerals and is used traditionally as a mild medicine, as it’s believed to reduce cholesterol. Certain health authorities have been working to build awareness around the diuretic properties of the tea, and its effectiveness in the treatment of urinary tract infections.New studies are following the use of Hibiscus in the fight to lower high blood pressure.

Chronic high blood pressure, or hypertension, currently affects 1/3 of the adult population in the United States. While weight reduction and aerobic exercise are recommended as the first steps when dealing with this medical condition, Hibiscus tea is making great strides in drug-free treatment programs.

Hibiscus tea has actually been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for high blood pressure. Now, recent research has been conducted to prove its effectiveness. In a recent study, 65 volunteers were split into two groups. One group drank Hibiscus tea, the others were given a flavored beverage that tasted like Hibiscus, but contained none of the actual herb. Those who drank the real tea had a 7.2% drop in their systolic blood pressure, while the other group had only a 1.3% drop.

Also, those with higher blood pressure (129 and up) showed greater improvement, seeing their systolic blood pressure drop 13.2% during the study, which was funded by Hain Celestial Group and the Agricultural Research Service, a scientific research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. Further research will determine the significance of Hibiscus Tea in the reduction of blood pressure over the long-term.