Hibiscus
Hibiscus sabdariffaThe plant crossed from West Africa to the Americas with the slave trade; the Mexican name “jamaica” recalls its route through the Caribbean.
What is Hibiscus?
Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a plant of the Malvaceae family. Traditions that use it: North America. Part used: calyces.
What is Hibiscus used for?
Traditional use: Agua de jamaica, a cold drink made from hibiscus calyces, is a fixture of street stalls and family tables. Scientific evidence: limited. Several controlled trials and meta-analyses show hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure slightly.
Is Hibiscus safe?
Safety label: generally safe. Generally safe as tea. May strengthen blood pressure medicines. Avoid large amounts in pregnancy.
Traditional use
Agua de jamaica, a cold drink made from hibiscus calyces, is a fixture of street stalls and family tables. In folk use it is considered diuretic and good for blood pressure.
Served as karkade at weddings and during Ramadan; in Senegal, bissap is the national drink.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Ornamental rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) and Chinese hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis) are different species; the tea is the fleshy red calyx of H. sabdariffa.
Preparation
The dried red calyces are steeped in hot water or soaked in cold water.
What science says
Several controlled trials and meta-analyses show hibiscus tea lowers blood pressure slightly. The studies are small and short.
Safety
Generally safe as tea. May strengthen blood pressure medicines. Avoid large amounts in pregnancy.
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchHibiscus sabdariffa’nın tansiyon ve kalp-damar belirteçlerine etkisi: sistematik derleme ve meta-analiz
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Hibiscus sabdariffa
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe