Herbal & Flower Teas

Roselle Hawthorn Tea

traditionally associated with reducing blood lipids and supporting healthy blood pressure

In short: Roselle Hawthorn Tea is a herbal & flower tea that traditionally associated with reducing blood lipids and supporting healthy blood pressure. It is most often made for heart & circulation. Total time about 12 min.

Prep
5 min
Cook
7 min
Total
12 min
Makes
1 teapot
Roselle Hawthorn Tea

Why people make this tea

Every spring when fresh hawthorn berries appear in Hong Kong markets, Nourilo is reminded of this simple little tea. The fresh berries are a vivid red, slightly tart, and irresistibly appealing — and their food-therapy value is substantial. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed what Chinese folk medicine has long held: hawthorn has vasodilatory effects, supports healthy blood pressure, lowers cholesterol, and strengthens cardiac muscle function. Paired with roselle — the deep crimson hibiscus calyx widely enjoyed in beverages across the world — the result is a beautiful, jewel-coloured tea that is genuinely pleasant to drink. Both ingredients’ vitamin C content is protected by natural acids (malic acid, hawthorn acid) and remains stable even after boiling, which is a useful piece of food science. In summer, served chilled, this tea is one of the most refreshing thirst-quenchers you can make.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Hawthorn · Randomized controlled trial, 41 participants · 2025
    Skin hydration scores improved more with hawthorn fruit than with placebo (p<0.05). Changes in other skin phenotypes and leukocyte telomere length were similar between groups. Genotype-specific effects were reported.Limitation: Small trial in which 36 completed follow-up; the genotype subgroup analyses are based on very few participants and are exploratory.PubMed 40573097 · 2 more hawthorn studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • Hawthorn: Can cause dizziness, nausea or digestive upset, and may interact with heart medicines. Little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Hawthorn

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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