We all know and love hibiscus flowers for their large, brightly colored flowers, but this beautiful plant offers us more than just a decorative fixture in our gardens. Studies have shown hibiscus tea to be just as effective in alleviating high blood pressure as hypertension drugs, but without the side effects.
“Scientists in Mexico gave 75 hypertensive adults either captopril (Capoten; 25 milligrams twice a day) or hibiscus tea (brewed from 10 grams of crushed dried flowers — about 5 teaspoons per 1 to 2 cups water — once a day). After four weeks, the herb had worked as well as the drug, with both groups showing an 11 percent drop in blood pressure.” (source)