Heart meds and herbal tea: After some... - British Heart Fou...

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Heart meds and herbal tea

Coopergirl52 profile image
13 Replies

After some advice.

I'm thinking of trying Rooibos ska red bush tea.

Did Google it and it said it can react with some medications.

Popped into my local pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if it would be OK to take it she checked my medication list and she said yes but J must leave a good two hours between taking my meds and then having a cup of the tea.

What does everyone think.

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Coopergirl52 profile image
Coopergirl52
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13 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

Personally, if it were me, I wouldn’t. I have phases where I go through having heart palpitations, flutters and other types of rhythms that just generally, feel abnormal. If there’s a risk involved in something triggering that for me, or making it worse, I usually just avoid it. I also suffer with indigestion, so that is another reason why I would avoid it for myself. However, it’s all based on individual circumstances and pharmacists do have the correct expertise when advising regarding these things.

Autumn_Leaves profile image
Autumn_Leaves

I wouldn’t because I think Rooibos tastes horrible! You’ve done the right thing by asking the pharmacist for advice. It’s always difficult trying to assess any kind of risk because we can all react quite differently. Herbal preparations can be potent so you always should be careful. I wouldn’t risk taking any herbal remedies for that reason but I consider culinary herbs and the herbal teas you can buy in the supermarkets to be safe to consume in normal amounts, and that’s as far as I’d go. Perhaps if you make a very weak tea and follow the advice of your pharmacist re the timing, perhaps that’s the safest option.

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

I would agree with Tos92 and avoid it, personally.

Mainly because some of my episodes have left me struggling to remain conscious and I don’t want to do anything that could potentially trigger that whole debacle!

You might decide that for you, it’s worth trying whilst following the advice of the pharmacist. If you’re still feeling unsure, maybe run it past your GP or cardiologist (whichever is applicable) as it couldn’t hurt to get a second opinion from a medical expert?

Best wishes

Soap 🧼

Coopergirl52 profile image
Coopergirl52

I've decided to err on the side of caution and stick to normal good old PG tips better to be safe than sorry.

TanteMuh profile image
TanteMuh

Hi Coopergirl, I drink Rooibos (from Lidl in the UK) all the time. It is naturally caffeine free, so no trigger for me. And on hot days its a great drink whenn cooled with watermelon icecubes. Give it a try! 😃

Captain_Birdseye profile image
Captain_Birdseye

I've had rooibos tea with no ill effects, except for the amount of sugar needed to make it taste bearable.

Rooibos can lower your blood pressure in a similar manner to ACE inhibitors, so if you're on blood pressure medication I imagine that's what the wait time is for, as it could lead to an accumulation effect. There's talk of it being good for lowering cholesterol and good for upset tummies but not sure how much research has been done on this.

There's no caffeine, unlike in black tea and coffee.

Personally, I stick to peppermint tea (chai if I'm being indulgent lol) as I can't tolerate caffeine at all.

This will be a classic case of what works for me might not work for you as we all tolerate things differently - but going to the pharmacist was sensible.

Sleepyzz profile image
Sleepyzz

have been drinking redbush for 10 years plus, swapped to it when I was told to cut caffeine. I take Ace inhibitors among other meds and have never had any issues. Doesn’t effect my afib either.

GrannyE profile image
GrannyE

I drink Earl Grey Red Bush from about 7pm on. Lots of it. I have it with almond milk and love it. Take my 2nd Apixaban at about 9pm. I thought it was supposed to be good for you! Often pop out into the garden and pick mint, or sage, or other herbs to make a tisane during the day. Mint is delicious and smells so good esp on a hot day.

Visigoth profile image
Visigoth

I’ve been drinking Rooibos tea for years (I don’t know what ska is?) - I changed to it when I had to give up caffeine. It’s never done me any harm - in fact it does me good. I think it’s recommended because of all the antioxidants in it. I find it tastes best with a dash of milk in but that’s just me!

Coopergirl52 profile image
Coopergirl52 in reply to Visigoth

Sorry if I confused you Visigoth aka is also known as red bush tea.

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady

I’d listen to the pharmacist

JaneFinn profile image
JaneFinn

Wow I never even thought of checking if Rooibos/ redbush is safe! When I had to stop drinking caffeine, I didn’t really fancy the chemically de-caffeinated versions of tea and coffee, so 16 years ago I switched to redbush for my go-to drink, due to all its health giving properties. Took me a few weeks to get used to the taste but then I loved it and have drunk it ever since. (I drink it strong, like builders tea, it just looks redder…!)

It doesn’t have any effects on my heartbeat or other symptoms. I take Apixaban, Bisoprolol, Ramipril and various other meds for other conditions. I had better check with my pharmacist about possible interaction, as I definitely don’t separate the tablets from the tea! Thanks for raising it :) x

Coopergirl52 profile image
Coopergirl52

Glad to help please let us know what their conclusion is I'm on atorvastatin Bisoprolol asprin ticagrelor Lansoprazole.

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