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Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus sabdariffa

Also known as hibiscus tea, roselle, sorrel, karkade, agua de Jamaica

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A tart, deep red infusion of dried Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces, drunk hot or cold and containing no caffeine. It is one of the few herbal infusions with a reasonable number of randomised trials behind it.

Heart HealthWeight Management

Potential health benefits

Best supported: Moderate

Ordered by how well the human research supports them — strongest first. A rating describes the state of the evidence, not how impressive the food is. How we rate evidence.

Healthy blood pressure

Heart Health
Moderate evidence

Meta-analyses of randomised trials report reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure with hibiscus tea or extract, concentrated in people who start with elevated readings. The trials are small, short and clustered in a few countries, and the doses are several cups a day, which is why this sits at moderate rather than higher.

Moderate evidence. Several human studies point the same way, with real caveats.

4 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Blood lipid profile

Heart Health
Limited evidence

Some trials report small reductions in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides alongside the blood pressure findings, but results are inconsistent and reviews describe the lipid evidence as weaker than the blood pressure evidence.

Limited evidence. Early human work, or mostly lab and animal research.

4 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Body composition

Weight Management
Insufficient evidence

Hibiscus is a standard ingredient in slimming and so-called cleansing teas. The trials measuring body weight are few, short and inconsistent, and any weight change from a laxative or diuretic effect is not fat loss.

Insufficient evidence. Not enough human research to say anything useful yet.

4 sources

Deep research mode adds each paper’s own conclusion and stated limitations.

Ask about Hibiscus tea

Ask about Hibiscus tea

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Key nutrients

Nutrient content per 100 grams
NutrientAmount% DV
Macronutrients
Calories0 kcal0%
Protein0 g0%
Total fat0 g0%
Carbohydrate0 g0%
Fibre0 g0%
Total sugars0 g—
Water99.6 g—
Fats
Saturated fat0 g0%
Monounsaturated fat0 g—
Polyunsaturated fat0 g—
Cholesterol0 mg0%
EPA (omega-3)0 g—
DHA (omega-3)0 g—
DPA (omega-3)0 g—
Linoleic acid (omega-6)0 g—
Vitamins
Vitamin A0 µg0%
Vitamin C0 mg0%
Vitamin D0 µg0%
Vitamin E0 mg0%
Vitamin K0 µg0%
Thiamin (B1)0 mg0%
Riboflavin (B2)0 mg0%
Niacin (B3)0.04 mg0%
Pantothenic acid (B5)0 mg0%
Vitamin B60 mg0%
Folate1 µg0%
Vitamin B120 µg0%
Choline0.4 mg0%
Minerals
Calcium8 mg1%
Iron0.08 mg0%
Magnesium3 mg1%
Phosphorus1 mg0%
Potassium20 mg0%
Sodium4 mg0%
Zinc0.04 mg0%
Copper0 mg0%
Manganese0.477 mg21%
Selenium0 µg0%
Other measured compounds
Beta-carotene0 µg—
Alpha-carotene0 µg—
Lycopene0 µg—
Lutein + zeaxanthin0 µg—
Caffeine0 mg—
Ash0.42 g—

Nutrient values are per 100 g of the USDA reference entry named on this page and vary with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

Source record: Beverages, tea, hibiscus, brewed (USDA FoodData Central, FDC ID 171946).

% DV uses the FDA Daily Values for adults and children aged 4 and over. A dash means no Daily Value has been established for that nutrient.

Bioactive compounds

Compounds present in meaningful amounts. Presence is banded rather than quantified, because whole-food levels vary enormously with variety, growing conditions, storage and preparation.

How preparation changes things

Only effects with real support are listed. If a preparation method is missing, it is because nothing dependable is documented — not because it makes no difference.

  • brewedIncreases anthocyanin extraction

    Anthocyanins and organic acids extract readily into hot water within five to ten minutes; a cold brew over several hours gives a less astringent drink with a similar colour.

Things to know

Allergies, interactions and intake concerns. Every food gets this section — a reference where everything is uniformly good is not a reference.

  • Interaction

    Additive with blood-pressure medication

    Because hibiscus lowers blood pressure in trials, drinking it in quantity alongside antihypertensive medication can push readings lower than intended. It has also been reported to reduce blood levels of hydrochlorothiazide and to alter the handling of some other drugs, so regular heavy intake is worth mentioning to a prescriber.

  • Worth knowing

    Avoid in pregnancy

    Hibiscus is traditionally avoided in pregnancy, animal studies report effects on the uterus and on fetal development, and there is no adequate human safety data. Occasional culinary use is different from drinking it daily as a remedy.

  • Worth knowing

    Very acidic and hard on tooth enamel

    Hibiscus infusions are markedly acidic, and frequent sipping of acidic drinks contributes to dental erosion. Drinking it with a meal rather than sipping through the day limits the exposure.