We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we'll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies
HIB5.6
Hibiscus Research
Mostly mechanism / observationalModerate safety
28 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Hibiscus studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2004–2025 with a typical study size of 54 participants.
Based on 28 studies · 9 meta-analyses · 16 RCTs · 993 total participants
Confidence
High
By outcome
Heart & blood pressureModest systolic BP reduction (~5-7 mmHg) in pre/mild hypertension; not equivalent to antihypertensive drugs · 4–6 weeks
10 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200420142025
1Meta-Analysis2025
Hibiscus sabdariffa supplementation significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and had favorable effects on lipid and glycemic parameters in cardiometabolic health.
Norouzzadeh M et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine (2025)
Overview of systematic reviews and updated dose-response meta-analysis confirms cardiometabolic benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa
Significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure across pooled analyses
Favorable effects on LDL cholesterol and fasting blood glucose documented
Hibiscus exerted stronger effects on systolic BP (-7.10 mmHg) than placebo, with the magnitude of reduction greatest in those with elevated BP at baseline.
Ellis LR et al. · Nutrition reviews (2022)
Hibiscus significantly reduced systolic BP by −7.10 mmHg (95%CI −13.00 to −1.20) versus placebo
Our study did not show a clinical benefit of H. sabdariffa extract in obesity treatment; mean difference in weight reduction was −0.27 kg (95%CI −1.98 to 1.42).
Dilokthornsakul P et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine (2024)
6 RCTs (339 participants); hibiscus did not significantly reduce body weight (MD −0.27 kg, P>0.05)
No significant effect on BMI (MD −0.06 kg/m², 95%CI −0.58 to 0.47)
No significant effect on waist circumference (MD −0.20 cm, 95%CI −2.06 to 1.66)
Hibiscus sabdariffa supplementation significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders.
Zhang B et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020)
Meta-analysis focused on metabolic syndrome populations showed significant LDL and total cholesterol reductions
No statistically significant effect on triglycerides or HDL in pooled analyses
Effects were most consistent in populations with pre-existing dyslipidemia
A Cochrane review found INSUFFICIENT evidence to determine roselle's effectiveness for hypertension (very low certainty; only one small qualifying RCT).
Pattanittum P et al. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2021)
Only 1 RCT (60 participants) met inclusion criteria
SBP change +1.65 mmHg (95% CI −7.89 to 11.19), non-significant
DBP change non-significant; certainty of evidence very low
Supplementation with Diuripres® (containing Hibiscus sabdariffa) significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improved vascular health markers in individuals with high-normal or stage I hypertension.
Fogacci F et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2023)
RCT with Hibiscus-containing combination supplement significantly reduced SBP and DBP in high-normal/stage I hypertension
Improvements in vascular health parameters including endothelial function markers
Favorable metabolic parameter changes including lipid and glucose modulation
Hibiscus sabdariffa modulates innate and adaptive immune responses through multiple pathways including NF-κB inhibition, cytokine regulation, and oxidative stress reduction.
Umeoguaju FU et al. · Frontiers in immunology (2021)
Systematic review identified multiple immune-modulating mechanisms of Hibiscus sabdariffa
Suppression of NF-κB signaling reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production including TNF-α and IL-6
Anthocyanins and polyphenols modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses
In a metabolic-syndrome RCT (n=40), hibiscus significantly reduced only triglycerides and systolic BP; hs-CRP, oxidative stress, insulin, and LDL/TC were unchanged.
Asgary S et al. · Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (2016)
Significant reduction in triglycerides (p=0.044) and SBP (p=0.049)
hs-CRP, MDA (oxidative stress), insulin, and LDL/TC NOT significantly affected