Overview

Hibiscus sabdariffa is a plant considered safe in common food amounts. As a tea, it may be beneficial for high blood pressure.

The fruit acids in Hibiscus sabdariffa might work like a laxative. Other chemicals in Hibiscus sabdariffa might be able to lower blood pressure, reduce levels of sugar and fats in the blood, reduce swelling, and work like antibiotics.

People use Hibiscus sabdariffa for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for

  • High blood pressure. Drinking Hibiscus sabdariffa tea or taking Hibiscus sabdariffa extract by mouth seems to lower blood pressure by a small amount in people with normal or high blood pressure.

There is interest in using Hibiscus sabdariffa for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Hibiscus sabdariffa is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in medicinal amounts. Hibiscus sabdariffa tea has been used safely in amounts of up to 720 mL daily for up to 6 weeks. Side effects are uncommon but might include stomach upset, gas, and constipation.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Hibiscus sabdariffa is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in medicinal amounts. Hibiscus sabdariffa tea has been used safely in amounts of up to 720 mL daily for up to 6 weeks. Side effects are uncommon but might include stomach upset, gas, and constipation.

Pregnancy: Hibiscus sabdariffa is possibly unsafe to use during pregnancy. It might stimulate a menstrual cycle or have effects that might terminate pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Breast-feeding: Hibiscus sabdariffa is possibly unsafe to use while breast-feeding. It might have effects that can be harmful to the infant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Hibiscus sabdariffa is possibly safe when used at a dose of 2 grams by mouth three times daily for up to 4 weeks in adolescents 12-18 years of age. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if it is safe for children under 12 years old.

Surgery: Hibiscus sabdariffa might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery. Stop using Hibiscus sabdariffa at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Hibiscus sabdariffa might lower blood sugar levels. Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. Hibiscus sabdariffa might increase blood sugar levels. Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Hibiscus sabdariffa might lower blood pressure. Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

  • Chloroquine (Aralen) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Hibiscus sabdariffa tea might reduce the amount of chloroquine that the body can absorb and use. Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa tea along with chloroquine might reduce the effects of chloroquine. People taking chloroquine for the treatment or prevention of malaria should avoid Hibiscus sabdariffa products.

  • Diclofenac (Voltaren, others) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa while taking diclofenac might alter levels of diclofenac in the body. This might change the effects and side effects of diclofenac.

  • Losartan (Cozaar) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa with losartan might increase the levels of losartan in the body. This might increase the effects and side effects of losartan.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • Simvastatin (Zocor) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Hibiscus sabdariffa might increase how quickly the body gets rid of simvastatin. Taking Hibiscus sabdariffa with simvastatin might decrease the effects of simvastatin.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2B6 (CYP2B6) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C8 (CYP2C8) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) substrates) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Hibiscus sabdariffa might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) interacts with Hibiscus sabdariffa

    Drinking a Hibiscus sabdariffa beverage before taking acetaminophen might increase how fast the body gets rid of acetaminophen. But more information is needed to know if this is a big concern.

Dosing

Hibiscus sabdariffa has most often been used by adults as a powder, extract, or tea for 4-12 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose or product might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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