Sudanese rose, hibiscus, rosella, Rose of Sharon and marshmallow are synonymous varieties of hibiscus of the Malvaceae family. The bracts and flowers of the plant have a rich chemical composition. Over the past 20 years, scientists have expanded and refined information about the use of healthy alternatives to teas. Clinical studies have confirmed the hypotensive properties of the drink. Drinking hibiscus tea for high blood pressure normalizes the condition of hypertensive and hypotensive patients. The result of treatment depends on how the infusion is used.
How does it affect hypertension and hypotension?
Hypertensive patients who regularly consume hibiscus in moderation note that this tea lowers blood pressure.
The healing properties are determined by the unique composition:
- iron - prevents the development of anemia;
- manganese - improves blood clotting;
- magnesium - strengthens blood vessels and has a good effect on the heart;
- potassium - normalizes blood pressure;
- calcium - thins the blood and prevents the formation of blood clots;
- vitamin PP - restores the walls of blood vessels.
All of the above substances have a positive effect on a person’s blood pressure.
To arterial
Long-term and regular use leads to the following positive effects:
- removing excess fluid from the body, that is, eliminating swelling, reducing the load on the myocardium;
- normalization of heart function;
- dilation of blood vessels, which helps reduce blood pressure;
- strengthening the walls of blood vessels, increasing their elasticity;
- weight loss.
In addition to normalizing blood pressure, hibiscus significantly reduces the risk of developing arrhythmia, strokes, and prevents thrombus formation.
Important! When taken and consumed correctly, red tea can reduce blood pressure by 7–13%.
For heart patients
According to ongoing research, hibiscus is good for heart and vascular diseases.
The substances that are included in the composition improve the process of formation of red blood cells, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, stabilize blood pressure, have a positive effect on arterial and intracardiac pressure, and promote weight loss. As a result, the load on all organs and systems, especially the heart, is reduced.
Capillary and venous
The walls of the capillaries have high permeability for all low molecular weight substances dissolved in the plasma. Through them, the exchange of substances between blood plasma and tissue fluid occurs. The load on the capillaries directly depends on the pressure in the arteries.
Venous pressure is always lower than arterial pressure; it depends on the contraction of the left ventricle of the heart. The walls of veins are more distensible than arterial walls, their tone is lower, their pressure is influenced by the volume of circulating blood and the ability of the right ventricle to pump blood.
Since hibiscus has a positive effect on the walls of all blood vessels, and also helps improve heart function, if you drink the drink correctly, capillary and venous pressure will be normalized.
Recommendations for use
Consider the temperature when drinking tea so as not to harm yourself: if you want to normalize your condition, then hibiscus with high blood pressure should be drunk cold or slightly warm. Because a very hot drink will provoke dilation of blood vessels and capillaries, which will lead to an increase in blood pressure, and this is dangerous for hypertension. At the same time, the taste does not depend on temperature, so you can enjoy the drink.
Worth knowing! There is an opinion that the effect of hibiscus on pressure depends significantly on its temperature. Experts strongly disagree with this statement, because when it enters the stomach, the drink will acquire the same temperature and will be absorbed warm.
American scientists conducted an experimental study involving 65 volunteers of different ages suffering from hypertension. For two months, people drank three mugs of a drink made from hibiscus petals.
As a result of the experiment, a decrease in blood pressure (blood pressure) in the group was noted by approximately 7%; with the help of vitamins, which were given to patients under the guise of medications (to test self-hypnosis and the placebo effect), a reduction of only 1.5-2% was achieved.
The researchers' conclusion is clear: hibiscus lowers blood pressure, regardless of the temperature of the drink. Subsequently, Chinese and Japanese scientists agreed with him, arguing that hibiscus will help normalize high blood pressure. It is recommended even for severe forms of hypertension, but a pronounced effect can only be achieved with regular use of this tea.
Contrary to what experts say, some people with low blood pressure claim that a cup of hot hibiscus can improve their well-being. Experts explain this not by the type of tea, but by the effect of hot and cold drinks on the body.
Important! Self-hypnosis also plays a significant role in this matter. Do not forget that any hot drinks have a vasodilating effect, stimulate the heart and accordingly increase blood pressure. Therefore, if you have hypertension, drinking too hot is not recommended at all. Tea is best consumed moderately warm.
Which is better to drink hibiscus - cold or hot?
Regular types of tea should be drunk hot or warm; it is better not to drink it cold. The Japanese even say: “Iced tea is worse than a snake bite.” Hibiscus stands out against this background - it can be drunk both cold and hot. When properly prepared cold, all the beneficial substances and medicinal properties of the hot drink are preserved. It is useful to include such tea drinking in your daily diet.
The effect of red drink on the pulse
Pulse is the difference between diastolic and systolic pressure. In other words, periodic fluctuations in the volume of blood vessels, which are associated with the dynamics of their filling with blood and pressure during one cardiac cycle.
As such, hibiscus does not have much effect on the pulse, but it contains anthocyanins, which make the vascular walls more resilient, improve heart function, stabilize blood pressure, and therefore have a positive effect on the heart rate.
Combination with medications
Hibiscus is compatible with certain medications:
- It enhances the effects of diuretics, anticancer drugs, and antiviral agents.
- It should not be combined with antimalarial drugs, in particular chloroquine and quinine. It reduces their effectiveness.
- In a situation where you are taking anti-inflammatory pills, for example paracetamol, you should wait two hours before taking the red tea leaves. Otherwise, side effects are possible.
How to drink correctly when high?
Hypertensive patients are recommended to drink hibiscus warm or chilled. To obtain a lasting effect, you need to drink 2-3 cups every day, but if there are no contraindications, you can drink 4.
It is best to consume hibiscus a couple of hours after a meal; it is not advisable to do this on an empty stomach. It contains many natural acids that can cause increased acidity in the stomach.
After drinking red tea, it is recommended to rinse your mouth with clean water to wash away the acids. They can negatively affect tooth enamel.
The course of treatment for high blood pressure is at least 30 days. If tea is consumed irregularly, the positive effect does not occur. For variety, you can add lemon or mint.
Pink latte
Making a hibiscus latte is actually quite difficult. Hibiscus is a sour drink, and milk and acidity do not mix. If you simply add milk to a regular hibiscus decoction, it will almost certainly begin to curdle. But there are ways around this problem.
Firstly, instead of 100% hibiscus, you should use a tea bag with a blend containing hibiscus. Due to the presence of other ingredients (herbs and inflorescences), the infusion will be less acidic. Secondly, it is better to take whole milk with a high fat content (the least fat milk is most often curdled).
Recipe
Brew 1 hibiscus tea bag with half a glass of hot water and let steep for 5 minutes. Add a pinch of vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon of honey to the finished infusion (remove the bag), and then pour in 3/4 cup of whipped or warmed milk.
Is it possible to increase it when it is lowered?
Hypotonic people should drink hibiscus only hot. To maintain normal blood pressure, it is recommended to drink 2-3 cups of tea per day. Regular use will help get rid of dizziness and poor health when blood pressure drops.
The course of treatment for hypotension is 30 days. It is very important to drink hibiscus regularly, otherwise the positive effect will disappear.
Conclusion
Hibiscus is not just a colored exotic from the warm region of our planet, it is also a vitamin complex that cleanses the body, improves well-being, promotes rejuvenation, and improves metabolic processes. The drink is universal, as it is suitable for drinking hot on frosty, winter evenings and cold on hot summer days to quench thirst. To preserve the rich color, delicate aroma and maximum useful components, you need to understand how to properly prepare hibiscus. The above tips will help you enjoy the fully developed, sweet and sour taste of a rich viscous liquid. Before purchasing raw materials, carefully inspect the contents. Even compliance with all stages of brewing does not guarantee the expected aftertaste if the drying and storage technology is violated and the integrity of the buds is lost.
How to brew hibiscus?
There are two ways to brew hibiscus: leave it in cold water for a long time, or quickly get a drink by pouring hot water over the hibiscus flowers. The first method is certainly more useful.
Cold infusion overnight will preserve maximum vitamin C and healing polyphenols. Place a tablespoon of hibiscus in a liter jar and fill it with clean cold water. In the morning the drink will be ready.
To prepare red tea in boiling water, you will need 1 tbsp. l. tea leaves and 800 ml of boiling water. The drink will be ready as soon as it turns dark red.
Hibiscus can also be made in Turk. For the drink to be completely ready, 10 minutes of boiling will be enough.
You can add to tea to taste:
- ice, citrus slices;
- mint;
- rosemary;
- cardamom;
- sugar;
- honey;
- ginger;
- cinnamon;
- rose hip;
- any berries;
- green tea.
When adding other ingredients to tea, you need to understand that they can also increase or decrease blood pressure. For example, lemon and mint are more suitable for hypertensive patients, and honey and ginger for those who suffer from low blood pressure.
Brewing rules
To get a tasty and at the same time healing drink, you need to know how to brew hibiscus correctly and how many times. A few tips will help you with this:
- You can pour the buds in glass, ceramic or enamel containers, but not in metal ones.
- You cannot boil hibiscus for a long time, especially over high heat, otherwise, instead of a bright burgundy color, you will get a gray, unsightly liquid that has lost all its nutritional elements.
- Always steep the tea for at least 10 minutes - this time is enough for the buds to fully give off the color of the liquid and a pleasant spicy aroma to develop.
- You can add honey, lemon or zest, sugar to the finished consistency.
Useful properties and contraindications
In addition to normalizing blood pressure, hibiscus has the following effects on the body:
- reduces cholesterol;
- promotes weight loss;
- fights depression;
- improves digestion;
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves skin condition;
- reduces the risk of developing cancer;
- improves the condition of diabetes;
- removes toxins;
- improves brain detail;
- saturates the body with vitamins A, C, PP;
- calms and has a mild hypnotic effect.
We must not forget that hibiscus also has contraindications. It should not be consumed by women during pregnancy or planning pregnancy, as tea stimulates uterine contractions.
It is also not recommended to use it during breastfeeding, as it contains a lot of vitamin C, which can cause an allergic reaction in the baby.
Hibiscus is not recommended for pancreatitis, acute gastritis, urolithiasis or cholelithiasis, as well as dental problems.
Important! Hibiscus should not be taken at night due to its diuretic effect.
For women
For women, hibiscus is simply a godsend, because it has a positive effect on the skin and hair, promotes weight loss, and has a minimum of calories. In addition, it is able to regulate the menstrual cycle, relieve cramps and pain during menstruation, and also alleviate symptoms during menopause.
For men
Doctors recommend hibiscus for men to improve erectile function, as it activates blood circulation, including in the pelvic organs. Tea is also useful for problems with the prostate gland, it relieves tension well and improves the functioning of the whole body as a whole.
Hibiscus is a tasty and healthy drink that can be drunk both with high and low blood pressure (of course, by brewing and drinking it correctly). It has a positive effect on all systems and organs, strengthens the immune system, and is useful for constipation, intestinal atony, and atherosclerosis.
But you should not abuse the drink; it is also important to remember the contraindications to its use.
Which hibiscus is better to buy?
As a drink base, hibiscus can be available in different forms:
- dry flower petals for brewing;
- tea bags;
- liquid extract;
- encapsulated powder;
- ready-to-drink liquid tea in bottles.
In Russian stores you can most often find the first two types. In this case, it is better to give preference to whole petals, which are the most versatile and safe product in terms of contraindications. In terms of price, it is better to focus on the middle segment - this will allow you to avoid unnecessary expenses and at the same time not be mistaken with quality.
As for the appearance of the petals, choose the most solid, non-crumbling flowers of a bright burgundy color.
