Key Constituents

Anthocyanins (delphinidin and cyanidin glucosides)^[4]

The red pigments and principal antioxidant/vasoactive constituents.

Anthocyanins

Organic acids (including hibiscus/hydroxycitric acid) and polyphenols^[4]

Contribute to the tartness and cardiometabolic effects.

Phenolic compounds

Flavonoids^[4]

Additional antioxidant constituents.

Flavonoids

Pharmacological Actions

Antidiabetic (blood-sugar lowering)^{[5, 11, 12]}

Lowers fasting blood glucose

Antihypertensive^{[3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13]}

Lowers blood pressure, with the greatest effect in people with raised blood pressure

Antioxidant^{[1, 2, 4]}

Lipid-lowering^{[4, 6, 8, 11, 13]}

Improves the lipid profile - lowers LDL and total cholesterol

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Blood sugar / diabetes support^[12]Good · 7/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →

Cardiovascular / heart health^{[3, 4, 12, 13]}Strong · 9/10

inferred from antihypertensive action

more plants for cardiovascular / heart health →detailed sources →

High blood pressure^{[3, 4, 12, 13]}Strong · 9/10

Lowers blood pressure, with the greatest effect in people with raised blood pressure

more plants for high blood pressure →detailed sources →

High cholesterol^{[4, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from lipid-lowering action

more plants for high cholesterol →detailed sources →

Metabolic support^[12]Good · 7/10

inferred from antidiabetic action

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[3, 4]}Info

Its blood-pressure-lowering effect can add to that of antihypertensive medicines; monitor blood pressure if you take them. Note that it is not superior to standard antihypertensive drugs and did not significantly lower blood pressure in the metabolic-syndrome subgroup.

Safety note^[4]Caution

May alter the absorption or levels of some medicines (e.g. paracetamol, chloroquine); avoid concentrated or medicinal doses in pregnancy.

References

REF-1840, REF-1841, REF-0566, REF-0464, REF-1842, REF-1843, REF-1844, REF-1845, REF-1846, REF-1847, REF-1848

References & Sources

Da-Costa-Rocha, I., Bonnlaender, B., Sievers, H., Pischel, I. and Heinrich, M (2014) 'Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - a phytochemical and pharmacological review', Food Chemistry, 165, pp. 424-443. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.05.002
Riaz, G. and Chopra, R (2018) 'A review on phytochemistry and therapeutic uses of Hibiscus sabdariffa L', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 102, pp. 575-586. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.023 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.023
Abdelmonem, M., Ebada, M.A., Diab, S., Ahmed, M.M., Zaazouee, M.S. and others (2022) 'Efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa on Reducing Blood Pressure in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Published Randomized Controlled Trials', Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, 79(1), pp. e64--e74. doi:10.1097/FJC.0000000000001161 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1097/FJC.0000000000001161
Ellis, L.R., Zulfiqar, S., Holmes, M., Marshall, L., Dye, L. and Boesch, C (2022) 'A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on blood pressure and cardiometabolic markers', Nutrition Reviews. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuab104 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuab104
Jamrozik, D., Borymska, W. and Kaczmarczyk-Zebrowska, I (2022) 'Hibiscus sabdariffa in Diabetes Prevention and Treatment - Does It Work? An Evidence-Based Review', Foods, 11(14), pp. 2134. doi:10.3390/foods11142134 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11142134
Aziz, Z., Wong, S.Y. and Chong, N.J (2013) 'Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on serum lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(2), pp. 442-450. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.042 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.042
Wahabi, H.A., Alansary, L.A., Al-Sabban, A.H. and Glasziou, P (2009) 'The effectiveness of Hibiscus sabdariffa in the treatment of hypertension: a systematic review', Phytomedicine, 17(2), pp. 83-86. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2009.09.002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2009.09.002
Hopkins, A.L., Lamm, M.G., Funk, J.L. and Ritenbaugh, C (2013) 'Hibiscus sabdariffa L. in the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia: a comprehensive review of animal and human studies', Fitoterapia, 85, pp. 84-94. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2013.01.003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2013.01.003
Joven, J., March, I., Espinel, E., Fernandez-Arroyo, S., Rodriguez-Gallego, E., Aragones, G., Beltran-Debon, R., Alonso-Villaverde, C., Rios, L., Martin-Paredero, V., Menendez, J.A., Micol, V., Segura-Carretero, A. and Camps, J (2014) 'Hibiscus sabdariffa extract lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function', Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 58(6), pp. 1374-1378. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201300774 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201300774
Bourqui, A., Niang, E.A.B., Graz, B., Diop, E.A., Dahaba, M., Thiaw, I., Soumare, K., Valmaggia, P., Nogueira, R.C., Cavin, A., Al-Anbaki, M. and Seck, S.M (2020) 'Hypertension treatment with Combretum micranthum or Hibiscus sabdariffa, as decoction or tablet: a randomized clinical trial', Journal of Human Hypertension, 35(9), pp. 800-808. doi:10.1038/s41371-020-00415-1 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41371-020-00415-1
Perez-Torres, I., Ruiz-Ramirez, A., Banos, G. and El-Hafidi, M (2013) 'Hibiscus sabdariffa Linnaeus (Malvaceae), curcumin and resveratrol as alternative medicinal agents against metabolic syndrome', Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 11(1), pp. 25-37. doi:10.2174/1871525711311010006 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1871525711311010006
Najafpour Boushehri, S., Karimbeiki, R., Ghasempour, S., Ghalishourani, S.S., Pourmasoumi, M. and others (2020) 'The efficacy of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) on selected cardiovascular disease risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials', Phytotherapy Research, 34(2), pp. 329--339. doi:10.1002/ptr.6541 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6541
Garcia-Munoz, A.M., Garcia-Guillen, A.I., Victoria-Montesinos, D., Abellan-Ruiz, M.S., Alburquerque-Gonzalez, B. and Canovas, F (2023) 'Effect of the Combination of Hibiscus sabdariffa with Other Plant Extracts in the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Foods. doi:10.3390/foods12112269 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12112269

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