Hibiscus Tea is a wonderful form of herbal tea that is gaining popularity around the world. Many people consume this delicious beverage to obtain significant health benefits, but they are unaware of other Hibiscus Tea Side Effects. One of the most concerning is the Hibiscus Tea Estrogen impact. I decided to create this post dedicated to Hibiscus Tea Estrogen in order to inform our valuable HTH Community about this important topic.
This is another great example of why you should consult with your doctor or healthcare professional prior to consuming herbal tea. Many forms of herbal tea have side effects that may put you at risk, especially if you don’t stay informed and follow medical guidance. Since hibiscus extract has been shown to affect estrogen levels, you should avoid consuming it if you are pregnant, nursing, or you are TTC (trying to conceive). We are not healthcare professionals here at HTH just a community of herbal tea enthusiasts that want you to get the most out of your relationship with these wonderful beverages. Most of all, we want you to stay safe!
HIBISCUS TEA ESTROGEN | THE FACTS
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I decided to search around the internet to see what kind of information was available regarding the impact of hibiscus on estrogen. I was hoping to find a wealth of accurate information, but that was not the case. No other herbal tea websites appear to have researched the scientific studies available on this topic, so I decided to do it. I have tried to provide this info to you, the members of HTH Community, in a clear and concise manner. I will supply you with links to the complex studies I am referencing.
Estrogen Basics
A good place to start would be to briefly discuss estrogen and why it is important. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is a very important part of maintaining women’s health and is primarily responsible for controlling the reproductive system. It also impacts mood and behavior. Estrogen actually encompasses three specific hormones including estrone (menopause), estradiol (reproduction – see below), and estriol (pregnancy hormone). These hormones are all released by ovaries. I’ve created a list below of the importance of estrogen.
- Responsible for reproductive health
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
- Impacts breasts, vagina, ovaries, etc.
- Promotes psychological health
- Impacts mood and behavior
Estradiol
Estradiol is one of the three specific hormones encompassed by estrogen. It is produced by both women and men. It is the strongest of the estrogen hormones and is responsible for reproductive health.
Hibiscus Tea Estrogenic Properties
Anecdotal reports have long been circulated that broadcast the effect of hibiscus on hormone levels, specifically estrogen. This led to scientists conducting research on rats to properly analyze this subject. A 2007 Study on NCBI found that hibiscus does have “estrogenic properties” for female rats that consume hibiscus root extract (concentrated hibiscus). That means that compounds naturally found in the hibiscus plant activate estrogen receptors.
Does Hibiscus Prevent Pregnancy?
This is one of the most common questions I receive dealing with hibiscus tea side effects. It can be very difficult for some women to become pregnant, and searching for possible causes and solutions for infertility can be extremely frustrating. You don’t want to discover that the hibiscus you have been consuming has prevented your pregnancy and hindered your fertility. Time is precious when you are TTC (trying to conceive), and it is often a stressful process
The simple answer is that it is possible that consuming hibiscus prevents pregnancy. The study mentioned above found that consuming hibiscus root extract led to post-coital antifertility activity. The findings were labeled as “potent” because all of the rats that consumed the extract did NOT have implantation. Simply stated, consuming hibiscus resulted in blocking 100% of the rat pregnancies after mating.
Fortunately, the scientists also found that after the rats stopped consuming hibiscus extract, mating “resulted in pregnancy and delivery of normal litters.” This showed that the fertility issues could be reversed simply by avoiding hibiscus.
Does Hibiscus Affect Male Fertility?
Since we have just discussed how consuming hibiscus extract can affect estrogen levels and impact female fertility, the next logical question deals with the impact of hibiscus on male fertility. Fortunately, research has been completed in this area. A 2012 Study on NCBI analyzed the effect of consuming hibiscus on the male reproductive system. The scientists gave hibiscus extract to male rats. It found that it produced “no adverse effect on the male reproductive system.”
HIBISCUS TEA ESTROGEN | CONCLUSION
I hope that you feel more informed about hibiscus tea and its impact on estrogen after reading this post. As I have stated numerous times, make sure to avoid consuming hibiscus tea if you are pregnant or nursing. I recommend all of our readers to speak regularly with their healthcare professionals and discuss any herbal tea consumption. Stay healthy and educated, my friends!
Hibiscus Tea Estrogen: Comments
Do you have any other questions regarding the hibiscus tea estrogen effects? Is there anything that you feel should be included in this post that would be helpful to others? Please share your feedback with the HTH Community. It keeps us motivated and adds your unique perspective. We sincerely appreciate it!