Hibiscus tea may help lower blood pressure in some people, but current evidence does not support using it as a replacement for prescribed hypertension treatment.
The tea is made from the calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa, commonly known as roselle. It is widely consumed as a beverage in parts of Africa and other regions and is known for its deep red color and sour taste.
Research into its effect on blood pressure has produced evidence of a modest benefit. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1,205 participants found that Hibiscus sabdariffa reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of about 6.7 mmHg and diastolic pressure by about 4.4 mmHg compared with placebo. The analysis also found no significant advantage when hibiscus was compared directly with antihypertensive medicines.
A more recent review, published in 2025 and based on 26 randomized controlled trials involving 1,797 participants, also found reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The researchers described hibiscus as generally safe in the studies reviewed, but said longer-term safety and therapeutic dosing require further monitoring.
What is hibiscus tea?
Hibiscus tea is generally prepared from the dried calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa. The plant is different from the ornamental hibiscus varieties commonly grown for their flowers.
The drink can be prepared by steeping the dried plant material in hot water. Its naturally tart flavor and red color have made it a common ingredient in herbal beverages.
What does the research show?
One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 65 adults with prehypertension or mild hypertension found that participants who drank three 240-milliliter servings of hibiscus tea daily for six weeks had a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure than those who received a placebo beverage.
The difference was about 7.2 mmHg in the hibiscus group compared with 1.3 mmHg in the placebo group. The reduction in diastolic blood pressure was not statistically different from the placebo group.
Earlier research also reported blood-pressure reductions, but the quality and size of the studies have varied. A systematic review published in 2009 concluded that the available trials at that time were too limited to provide reliable evidence for recommending hibiscus as a treatment for primary hypertension.
More recent reviews have strengthened the evidence for a blood-pressure-lowering effect, but they have not established hibiscus as an equivalent replacement for standard hypertension medicines. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says research suggests roselle may help reduce blood pressure, while emphasizing that the evidence is limited and that the effects of dietary supplements are generally small compared with medicines used to treat hypertension.
Why high blood pressure matters
Hypertension is a chronic condition in which blood pressure remains too high. It often causes no obvious symptoms, so measuring blood pressure is the only reliable way to identify it.
According to the American Heart Association, stage 1 hypertension in adults begins at a systolic reading of 130 to 139 mmHg or a diastolic reading of 80 to 89 mmHg. Stage 2 begins at 140 mmHg systolic or 90 mmHg diastolic. A health professional should confirm a diagnosis.
When uncontrolled over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.
That makes the distinction between a food or herbal drink and medical treatment important. Hibiscus tea may be considered as part of a healthy diet, but people diagnosed with hypertension should not stop or replace prescribed medication because of its potential effect on blood pressure.
Safety and possible side effects
Hibiscus has a long history of use as a beverage, and clinical studies have generally reported few serious adverse effects. However, evidence on long-term or therapeutic use remains less developed than evidence for established blood-pressure medicines.
The 2025 review found no significant increase in adverse events across the randomized trials it analyzed, although the researchers said longer-term safety and dosing still require attention.
People who take medicines or use herbal products regularly should discuss hibiscus use with a health professional. Herbal products can interact with medicines, and the appropriate approach can depend on a person’s medical history and treatment.
What the evidence does not show
The available research does not establish hibiscus tea as a cure for hypertension.
It also does not show that hibiscus is safer or more effective than ACE inhibitors or other established blood-pressure medicines. In a 2021 meta-analysis, hibiscus did not produce a statistically significant difference in blood-pressure reduction when compared with active treatments such as antihypertensive drugs.
The evidence instead suggests that hibiscus may provide a modest reduction in blood pressure for some people. Its possible role is therefore better understood as a dietary or complementary measure rather than a replacement for medical treatment.
For anyone concerned about high blood pressure, regular blood-pressure checks and appropriate medical advice remain central to managing the condition. Lifestyle measures such as a healthy diet and regular physical activity are also part of established blood-pressure management.
