I noticed my blood pressure was a little high. I guess what is classified as borderline at around 140/87, so I started to drink hibiscus tea. It's only been a few days and I've been drinking 2 cups (one table spoon of loose leaf) twice a day.
To my suprise my blood pressure has 116/70, which I was pretty shocked it lowered that much. Of course I'm drinkink 4 cups in total a day. I'm only using a total of two tablespoons of loose leaf, but getting two brews out of each tablespoon. I really love the taste

My question is about side effects? I tried googling for awhile about side effects and some sites keep coming up with fertility, estrogen, menopausal issues..etc

One reason I'm asking these questions is that we are trying to have a baby and I'm drinking a lot of this tea and I would hate for it to cause issues with my sperm count or something else. My wife though isn't drinking the tea as I don't believe she has a blood pressure issue.
https://www.ehow.com/about_5200207_si...iscus-tea.html

My guess is you are safe; it is a popular beverage in el salvador and jamaica as well as many other countries.

It seems like certain Hibiscus may cause a decrease in male fertility according to these two articles and some others on the web.

https://www.aromamedical.com/articles/herbspreg.html

https://www.livestrong.com/article/49...tea-unhealthy/

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I have a friend who grew up in Jamaica and he told me that they drink it often, but it's mixed with rum. He said when he came to the USA he had a person once ask him about it without alcohol, but he's never heard of it being served where he grew up without the rum, so I'm not sure if they are consuming it every day.

It is a popular drink in el salvador (they do add sugar to it) called Jamaica de Rosa. As for how much of it they drink, let me e-mail a friend there and get back to you.

OK, she was online on facebook. She said it is something people drink at restaurants, so no, it is not a daily thing with the majority of the population.

JBO, she just sent a message. Sne mentioned everyone use to look at plants for healing, now due to the flooding of pharmaceuticals, they use those because they think they are better. Sad.

Thanks so much for the information saved1986

It sounds interesting. I'm going to see if I can find some around here and give it a try.

I picked up some at a middle east store this weekend (tea bags): so so. I picked up 3 packages in el salvador, much better. You live in IL. Hit the latin american markets and you should find some. I am drinking a cup right now (ordered on iherb, the bulk leaves)

Found some at local health food store this morning (Now brand) and finishing up the first cup right now. Not a bad taste (straight with no sugar) it is still somewhat warm. Also what to try it iced.

I'm curious to see what it will do for my PB.

I bought a NOW brand hibiscus, but it was mixed with other things also. Is it pure hibiscus?

I like Mountain Rose organic. https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/sea...ibiscus+Flower

I get the powder, but to make tea you would need the whole flower. They also have a wonderful Hibiscus High. See on this page https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/tea_bev/tea_bev.html
Contains: Organic Hibiscus flowers, organic Rosehips, organic Lemongrass, organic Orange peel, organic Spearmint, organic Rose petals and a pinch of organic Stevia.

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- Jim

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein

Now"s formula is just about the same.
But in place of the Lemongrass and Stevia they use wild cherry bark and licorice root.

Price seemed reasonable at just under $3 for 30 bags.

That's interesting. Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin. In HIGH amounts, it can raise blood pressure, as it causes people to retain sodium. But the amount in that tea, would make this drink an adaptogen and therefor very good for the adrenals. The adrenals can greatly affect blood pressure. It prolongs the effects of cortisol. So in this case the licorice with the hibiscus seems like a very good combination. Thanks. I'll have to check into that.

The cherry bark is known for anti-inflammatory, fungicide, lowering blood pressure, and lowering blood sugars. Yes. Sounds like a mighty combination for that tea.