Hibiscus Tea Can Help Lower High Blood Pressure

Hibiscus tea is a natural remedy that I've been taking to decrease my blood pressure for years. Hibiscus not only lowers blood pressure but also boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, and contains high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) belong to the mallow or Malvaceae genus family. Hibiscus is one of several hundred species that are native to temperate, subtropical and tropical habitats around the world.

Species are mainly known for its wide variety of beautiful multicolored flowers. Hibiscus is annual as well as a perennial, and grows in sizes ranging from woody shrubs to small trees. The generic name is derived from the Greek word hibískos.

Hibiscus is related to okra Avelmoschus esculentus a plant with anti-diabetic properties

Hibiscus is rich in flavonoids, minerals and nutrients. The flowers have a fruity tart taste that makes hibiscus a popular drink both hot and cold.

If your blood pressure is around 150/85 (mild hypertension), hibiscus will initially lower it to 140/80. But long term hibiscus drinking can lower blood blood pressure to 125/70 and keep it there for as long as you are drinking. In one study hibiscus was found to be as strong as coreg, a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication. In another study, when comparing captopril to hibiscus, hibiscus reduced blood pressure by 84% to 79% for captopril. In diabetes study, hibiscus has shown to benefit diabetics with high blood pressure.

Hibiscus lowers blood pressure in two ways:

• diuretic properties. Less volume in your blood the lower the pressure.

• It works by relaxing the small arterioles and capillary systems. Hibiscus act as a natural angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. These are hormones preventing blood vessels to constrict. One third of your blood volume is located in your arterioles, any tension there will rise your blood pressure quickly.

Hibiscus boosts immune function and provide valuable antioxidants, and loads of vitamin C

Check your blood pressure frequently and record your highs and lows. If it’s high, pay attention to events that might be associated with it. Stress may be the cause. Buy an arm cuff blood pressure machine, wrist machines are not as accurate.

How to use hibiscus

Buy hibiscus dried leaves. Prepare a strong tea by measuring a heaping tablespoon to a cup. Pour boiling water and let it simmer for a half an hour. You can also let the tea sit overnight, the longer you leave the leaves in the water, the better. Drink one full cup of hot tea before breakfast every day. If you notice increased urination is a good sign. You’ll note blood pressure coming down within a few days but the full effects are noted within a few weeks.

Drink hibiscus tea 3 times a day to get a boost start. The morning cup is the most important due to diuretic effects. By drinking hibiscus throughout the day you’ll also give your immune system a boost avoiding catching colds. Tea bags are of little effect. Dried flowers in bulk are easy to find online or in good health food stores. I use a Chinese herb cooking pot but it can be done in any regular pan. I add about 1/2 gallon of boiling water to 3 nice and generous pinches of hibiscus dried herb. Let it soak all night and the following day too. The tea should have the appearance of a deep red wine.

High blood pressure ( a second opinion)

High blood pressure is a symptom or a sign that something is going on with your body but not necessarily a bad thing. High blood pressure is a normal condition. High blood pressure exists for a number of reasons. When you exercise or are under stress, blood pressure rises to accomplish a certain task. It increases oxygenation and perfusion allowing you to think and act faster.

Blood pressure fluctuates between high and low thought out the day without any harm to your health. High blood pressure is not a disease. When blood pressure is constantly high, it could be pointing out to some form of a disease process. You shouldn’t ignore high blood pressure, but worrying about is part of what causes high blood pressure.

High blood pressure in many cases, is simply caused by stress. You are better off focusing in what may be causing stress rather than focusing on blood pressure as the actual problem.

The more you worry, the higher your blood pressure becomes. The first line of treatment is to relax. The fear of high blood pressure is due in great part by medical establishment mantra — if you have high blood pressure you’ll have a heart attack and die. But that is distorted true.

Dangerous high blood pressures come with symptoms. If you have high blood pressure but have no other symptom like, chest pain, sweating, dizziness, chest discomfort, you’re probably fine.

Taking medication to lower blood pressure does not resolve the underlying disease that is causing it.

High blood pressure is not what kills you, but the diseases causing high blood pressure is where the problem is. Even if you have high blood pressure, it will take many years until any harm occurs to your organs.

Rule out serious conditions first. If you don’t have serious conditions (and I hope you don’t) you’ll benefit from controlling your blood pressure naturally taking herbs like hibiscus, that will also bring several collateral health benefits. Going to your doctor will most likely end up in medication prescriptions. Your physician will likely get you started on a diuretic which is the first line of defense for hypertension but taking medications could quickly lead to more drugs such as ACE inhibitor or Beta Blockers.

These drugs have a multitude of side effects: drowsiness, low blood pressure, tiredness, fatigue, cough, lightheartedness

Lifestyle changes for lowering blood pressure

Drinking hibiscus tea is only a part of treating high blood pressure. In order to make a herb more effective is also important to exercise and eat less junk food. Eliminate carbohydrates and sugary drinks or any other sugary foods. Even though hardly any professional sees sugar as being responsible for high blood pressure — research suggests otherwise. Sugar can cause small levels of inflammation on your capillaries. These small vessels greatly affect your blood pressure. One-third of your blood volume is located in this vascular system. The smallest constriction to your capillaries will raise blood pressure. Stress can raise your BP fast because it constrict your capillaries instantly. Salt will raise your blood pressure because it retains water by not allowing your kidneys get rid of excess liquids raising your blood volume and causing pressure to raise accordingly. However, new research point out that salt might not play a role in high blood pressure after all. Exercise is important because it benefit every health need you body requires. Stress, cardiovascular tone, elimination of toxins just to name a few. Weight lifting offers the greatest protection against heart disease. [6] Doctors prescribe weight barring exercises to patients after a heart attack. A combination of cardiovascular and weight lifting exercises is the best. Lower blood pressure in 15 minutes with this breathing exercise

This is an interesting exercise and you can do it several times a day. Seat in a comfortable position, relax keep your back erect. Start your smart phone chronometer and let it run for 15 minutes. Breathe in with long and deep inhalations and exhale slowly. Take one time to inhale, take two times to exhale. Breath through your nose. Do this for 15 minutes and then take your blood pressure — you’ll be amazed.

Conclusion

Blood pressure oscillates during the day and this is normal. When you are stressed, or when you perform strength exercises it temporarily goes up and then returns to baseline. Only when blood pressure remains high without reversing back to the baseline there is reason to be concerned. If you have a blood pressure that is 190/100 and doesn’t go down you should seek medical help right away. Using hibiscus to lower your blood pressure have better results if you have mild hypertension associated with stress. Check your blood pressure regularly and have a good idea of what your baseline is. Part of keeping your blood pressure in check is to know when it should be high and when should be at baseline. Blood pressure left untreated for a long period of time tend to progress as your metabolism sets a baseline which tend to climb for some reason. I hope you have fun using hibiscus.