hibiscus tea?

[Deleted]

ok, so I know generally the posts asking about what you can and cannot eat/drink are flame-worth, and I'm prepared for that:)
I have ok BP, but I get anxious at Dr appts so it tends to read higher there than at home (DH is an EMT and in nursing school so he has a BP cuff at home). I read that hibiscus tea is a natural way to lower BP a bit and am thinking of trying it out, but I get conflicting reports from Dr.Google about whether or not it's safe to use during pregnancy. Has anyone used it or have any knowledge about whether or not it's safe? TIA!

[lulurm]

I was under the impression that hibiscus was to be avoided during first tri (it messes with hormones or something, I can't remember). I avoided it my whole first pregnancy, and plan to again. My BP is erratic and tends to be in the higher side as well, so I understand wanting to try something natural to manage it. Maybe the other ladies know something more concrete.

ETA: my doc was never actually concerned about my BP, is yours? If so, maybe he/she can pint you in the right direction.

[Deleted]

Jan 21, 2015 18:47:09 GMT -5 lulurm said:

I was under the impression that hibiscus was to be avoided during first tri (it messes with hormones or something, I can't remember). I avoided it my whole first pregnancy, and plan to again. My BP is erratic and tends to be in the higher side as well, so I understand wanting to try something natural to manage it. Maybe the other ladies know something more concrete.

ETA: my doc was never actually concerned about my BP, is yours? If so, maybe he/she can pint you in the right direction.

Thanks! No, my doc isn't concerned yet, but they always let me take it 2 or 3 times each visit bcse it's inevitably high when they first take it (I can't help it, I have always been anxious at the Drs, ever since I was little, and I can literally feel my heart beating while I'm there) so I was hoping to find some way to maybe help me manage it:) I'll avoid the hibiscus tea bcse I'm paranoid about everything you're not supposed to eat/drink during pregnancy, and I'll keep nosing around for other options.
If anyone knows of natural, pregnancy-safe ways to help manage/lower BP, let me know!

[telos]

This is something you should talk to your OB about, IMO. Although I'm no expert in the subject, I'm generally of the opinion that commercially available herbal teas should be OK while pregnant. However, you typically need to drink "therapeutic amounts" (read: a crapload) of herbal tea to get the claimed therapeutic effect. When I was drinking RRL tea to lengthen my luteal phase, for example, I had to drink 3-4 cups a day to reach suggested therapeutic levels.

Since you'd be using the tea as a medicine, you should consult with your OB as you would for other medications. Your OB might also be able to give you tips for other ways to lower your BP.