The Complete Guide to Hibiscus Tea (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to drink hibiscus tea every day? ›

When taken by mouth: Hibiscus sabdariffa is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in medicinal amounts. Hibiscus sabdariffa tea has been used safely in amounts of up to 720 mL daily for up to 6 weeks. Side effects are uncommon but might include stomach upset, gas, and constipation.

You should drink 3 to 4 cups of this tea daily, half an hour before your main meals. The tea should be taken without sugar to achieve the expected effect, however optimal weight loss results will be noted when combined with a balanced diet and physical exercise.

Although hibiscus tea has plenty of health benefits, it has a few side effects too. For people who are already suffering from low blood pressure issues or hypotension, consumption of hibiscus tea can further lower blood pressure levels, causing faintness, dizziness and damage to the heart and the brain.

Potential Side Effects

Hibiscus is considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts in tea (2 to 4 cups per day) and foods.

Conclusion. The best time to drink hibiscus tea largely depends on your personal routine and how your body responds to it. Whether it's kickstarting your morning, recharging your afternoon, aiding digestion, or unwinding in the evening, hibiscus tea can be a delightful addition to your daily regimen.

Use with caution if you have low or high blood pressure. Interactions. Hibiscus tea may interfere with the effectiveness of some anti-malaria drugs. It can also interact with many other drugs including some for diabetes and high blood pressure.

There is some evidence that hibiscus tea may aid weight loss, but there is no proof it specifically targets belly fat.

Several studies show the potential of hibiscus tea to promote weight loss and prevent obesity. One study showed that hibiscus extract reduced body weight, body fat, and body mass index after 12 weeks.

Sipping on hibiscus tea on an empty stomach can overhaul your digestion. Its natural diuretic traits aid in lessening bloating and water retention. Moreover, hibiscus tea can smoothen bowel movements and prevent the discomfort of constipation.

Hibiscus is used for treating loss of appetite, colds, heart and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling (inflammation), fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation; for dissolving phlegm; as a gentle laxative; and as a diuretic to increase urine output.

Is hibiscus tea hard on the kidneys? ›

Hibiscus Tea Benefits the Kidneys

In addition to its potential weight loss and cancer-fighting benefits, it may also help improve kidney health. Polyphenols found in hibiscus tea are thought to protect the kidneys from oxidative damage and reduce inflammation that can cause long-term damage.

Stimulates hair growth: Hibiscus contains amino acids that can help to stimulate blood circulation in the scalp, which can encourage hair growth. It can also help to strengthen the hair shaft and prevent breakage. Conditions the hair: Hibiscus can help to condition the hair, making it smoother and more manageable.

In a comparison of tea and antioxidant content, hibiscus tea hit the number one spot thanks to its soaring levels, even smashing the popular green tea off the top charts. For those who want to stay young and fresh and free from inflammation, it's time to top up your antioxidants with a cup or two of hibiscus tea.

Since there are numerous advantages and risks associated with hibiscus tea, it is advised to keep daily consumption to no more than two to three cups. When drinking hibiscus tea, people with diabetes or those taking drugs for high blood pressure should keep an eye on their blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

The truth is that it doesn't matter if you are going to drink hot or cold hibiscus tea. When the tea is made with the hibiscus flower itself, heat or cold are not able to change the various hibiscus tea vitamins, so you can drink it any way you prefer.

Not only does hibiscus tea come with a heap of antioxidants but it also brings antibacterial properties to the table too. Test tube studies have shown that hibiscus extract can inhibit E-coli and in other studies hibiscus was also seen to fend off eight different strains of bacteria.

Some early research shows that drinking hibiscus tea for 2-6 weeks decreases blood pressure in people with mildly high blood pressure.

As such, hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure by blocking estrogen receptors in the body, which may cause an increase in circulating estrogen levels. Depending on the individual's hormonal balance, this can potentially lead to unwanted side effects such as an irregular menstrual cycle and breast tenderness.