Tea and High Blood Pressure: What to Sip and What to Skip (Video)

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Read the full written guide: Tea for High BP: Noon Chai Salt, Mulethi, Gudhal and Caffeine →

We break down the most common Indian teas and how they affect blood pressure. Learn which drinks can raise your numbers, which are neutral, and a simple recipe for a BP-friendly evening brew.

This video offers practical guidance, not medical advice. For personalized recommendations, consult your healthcare provider.

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Transcript

Did you know a pinch of salt in tea can spike your blood pressure?

Did you know a pinch of salt in tea can spike your blood pressure?

Tea & BP Overview

We'll walk through common teas and tell you which one you should avoid for blood pressure.

Licorice tea raises BP

Mulethi, also called licorice root, tastes sweet and soothes throats, but its glycyrrhizin blocks a kidney enzyme that normally balances salt. That makes the body retain sodium and water while losing potassium, which can push blood pressure up even on meds.

Emergency BP threshold

If your reading hits 180 over 120 with chest pain or severe headache, seek emergency care right away.

Salted pink tea risk

Kashmiri noon chai gets its pink hue from a pinch of baking soda and a dash of salt. One cup holds about a quarter teaspoon of salt, and the soda adds more. Occasional cups are fine, but multiple servings can exceed the recommended under-five-gram limit.

Caffeine can spike BP

Caffeine can raise blood pressure, especially if you don’t drink it. Chai drinkers build tolerance, so the spike is smaller. With high BP you can handle three or four cups a day, but karak tea, boiled longer and stronger, contains more caffeine and may push pressure higher.

Neutral & modest teas

Spices like cardamom, fennel, cumin, and mint are essentially neutral for blood pressure, especially in the amounts used for flavor. Hibiscus (gudhal) and green tea may give a slight, inconsistent drop, but they’re not a substitute for medication. Enjoy them, but keep your prescribed pills.

Quick reminder

A cup of qehwa can sit beside your BP tablet. It can't sit in its place.

Recommended daily salt

Health guidelines suggest keeping total salt under five grams a day, roughly one level teaspoon.

The one tea to skip

If you have high blood pressure, skip licorice tea altogether. It can raise your numbers even if you’re on medication.

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Read the full guide

Read the complete guide on thecareonline.com. This is general information, not medical advice.

Nothing on The Care Online is medical advice. Traditional practices are described as tradition, not as fact. Take a persistent or serious concern to a qualified professional. See how videos and posts are made on our methodology page.