Key result
Hibiscus preparations lower systolic blood pressure by ~8 mm Hg compared with control.
Why the study?
Hypertension affects 44.5% of U.S. adults overall and 58.0% of non-Hispanic Black adults, prompting an evaluation of human randomized trial evidence on Hibiscus sabdariffa and blood pressure readings.
Does hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings in adult participants of randomized trials?
Does hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings in adult participants of randomized trials?
Reviewed randomized trials suggest short-term hibiscus preparations modestly reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to control, though long-term cardiovascular outcomes and racial subgroup data are lacking.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports adjunctive hibiscus for hypertension; reinforces prior meta-analyses with updated estimate.
Deep-research article on hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and blood pressure readings in human randomized trials. In national data for August 2021-August 2023, the age-adjusted share of U.S. adults aged 18 and older with hypertension was 44.5% overall and 58.0% among non-Hispanic Black adults (CDC MMWR QuickStats; hypertension defined as systolic >=130 mm Hg or diastolic >=80 mm Hg or taking blood pressure medication). A 2015 meta-analysis of 5 randomized trials (390 participants, Iran and Mexico) found hibiscus preparations associated with systolic readings -7.58 mm Hg (95% CI -9.69 to -5.46) and diastolic readings -3.53 mm Hg (95% CI -5.16 to -1.89) versus control. A 2010 U.S. randomized trial (n=65, ages 30-70, 3 x 240 mL/day brewed hibiscus tea for 6 weeks) found systolic -7.2 vs -1.3 mm Hg with placebo (p=0.030) and a non-significant diastolic difference (p=0.160). Evidence grade: MODERATE. Race/ethnicity was not reported in the included trials, so no Black-participant subgroup result exists. Trials measured blood pressure readings over weeks only; no cardiovascular outcomes were measured. Educational article from the Buddha Ayurvedic School of Medicine: https://buddha.hospital
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Ajarn Shaman Shu (2026) conducted a review in Hypertension / Blood pressure (n=390). Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) preparations / brewed tea vs. Control / placebo was evaluated on Systolic blood pressure change (mm Hg) (MD -7.58 mm Hg, 95% CI -9.69 to -5.46, p=0.030). Hibiscus preparations lowered systolic blood pressure by 7.58 mm Hg (95% CI -9.69 to -5.46) and diastolic by 3.53 mm Hg (95% CI -5.16 to -1.89) versus control in a 5-trial meta-analysis.
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