Can Hibiscus Treat Migraine? Here's the Tea

Studies show that hibiscus tea is effective in lowering blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and total serum cholesterol. And since there’s minor evidence that shows a link between migraine and high blood pressure, hibiscus tea might help.

However, according to a 2021 review, this research is inconsistent and inconclusive. So we need more data to know the real deal.

tl;dr: Anecdotal evidence suggests that hibiscus tea can help lower blood pressure. This means it might help treat hypertension-related migraines. But there’s not enough science to know for sure.

Hibiscus tea is full of antioxidants. These healthful compounds are known to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the bod. A 2020 review suggests antioxidants might even help treat migraine symptoms. But we still need a lot more research to show the link between migraine and antioxidants.

tl;dr: We can’t prove that the antioxidants in hibiscus tea can help treat migraines. But there might be something there.

Hibiscus tea is versatile AF. It comes in:

• liquid extracts
• single tea bags
• loose-leaf petals
• encapsulated powders

You can pick up the tea bags at most grocery stores. But you might have to head to a health or natural foods store to find the rest of these options. Or, grab some online! Just Be sure to stick to high-quality, well-reviewed brands that are ethically sourced and don’t contain any yucky chemicals or additives.

Pro tip: Hibiscus tea is naturally tart. So, you might want to add honey, sugar, or another sweetener for flavor.

Some peeps also think hibiscus tea can actually trigger migraine symptoms. While there’s no research to back this up, you should still be mindful of dosages.

According to the National Library of Medicine, you should only drink 720 mL of tea daily for up to 6 weeks. Side effects aren’t common, but drinking too much hibiscus tea might cause:

• gas
• constipation
• stomach upset

P.S. In very high doses, studies show hibiscus tea might lead to liver damage.

OK, so hibiscus tea may or may not be able to cure your migraines. But there’s a lot more science on its other potential benefits. Here’s the DL.

Blood pressure

There’s some research to suggest that hibiscus tea consumed on the reg can help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Here’s a couple highlights:

• A 2014 study found the tea was as effective at lowering blood pressure as a prescription medication called Captopril, but less effective than Lisinopril.
• A 2015 found that hibiscus tea significantly lowered systolic and diabolic blood pressure in 225 out of 390 participants.
• One small study found that drinking hibiscus tea reduces blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults.

P.S. Hibiscus tea is in a clinical trial phase as a potential treatment for hypertension. So hopefully, we’ll understand more about its perks in the near future.

Cholesterol and heart health

High blood pressure can strain the heart, weaken it, and lead to an increased risk of heart disease. So, it’s possible that hibiscus tea can have a positive impact on cholesterol and heart health, too. Here’s the deal.

• Heads up, though: A 2013 review concluded that drinking hibiscus didn’t significantly decrease cholesterol levels.
• A 2014 review covering a lot of clinical trials found that drinking hibiscus tea or consuming the extract boosted good cholesterol and lowered bad cholesterol.
• Recent research found that regular hibiscus consumption could potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but more research is needed to know for sure.

Weight management

A 2014 study found that consuming concentrated hibiscus extract helped participants lower BMI, body weight, body fat, and hip-to-waist ratio. But this is only one small study. We need a lot more research to show hibiscus tea can aid healthy, sustainable weight loss.

Hibiscus tea is generally considered safe to drink in moderation. However, a 2020 clinical trial report points out that there hasn’t been enough research to really understand the potential risks. That said, you should prob avoid hibiscus tea if you:

• Take certain meds. Hibiscus tea might interact with meds for diabetes, high blood pressure, and malaria. So always check with your doc to be sure.
• Have a surgery coming up. Since hibiscus might affect blood sugar levels, the pros advise against taking it within two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding. The NIH says drinking hibiscus tea is potentially unsafe if you’re preggo or nursing.

There’s no strong evidence to suggest that hibiscus tea can cure your migraines or make them worse. Still, there’s a a bit of anecdotal research to show that hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure. Just be sure to talk to your doctor if you have chronic migraine. They can help you find a treatment plan that works for your unique needs.

So, there *could* be something there. If nothing else, hibiscus tea is healthy, tasty, and the science shows it’s a solid choice for your heart health.