Many people know chrysanthemum for its attractive flower petals. Unfortunately, those who know about the ability of this flower beyond its pretty appearance are not that many.
This flower can actually serve as the main ingredient for herbal tea. Behind the flower’s bright colors and striking blossoms, there are numerous chrysanthemum tea benefits which favor your health in general.
What is Chrysanthemum Tea?
Chrysanthemum is a type of flowering plant which features brightly colored flower heads in different shades, including red, purple, and yellow.
When it is planted in the garden, chrysanthemum is easy to spot because of its eye-catching quality. However, attractiveness is not the only quality that makes this flower special.
Chrysanthemum is also edible and contains numerous medicinal properties.
Chrysanthemum tea is one of the most common uses that this flower offers. For centuries, the tea has been used in China as traditional medicine.
As believed (and proven) by many herbalists, chrysanthemum tea has the ability to maintain the health of vital organs, including lungs, liver, and kidneys.
In addition, it serves as a natural remedy for various ailments, from cold and fever to some respiratory problems.
The original chrysanthemum tea tastes like a dried flower—which is actually not surprising. To enhance the flavor, some tea drinkers usually add a little sugar or honey, while some others opt for spices or herbs.
Regardless of the sweeteners or flavor-enhancers you add, chrysanthemum tea still offers a unique flavor which is complemented by the refreshing floral scent.
Chrysanthemum Tea Health Benefits
Chrysanthemum contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, as well as vitamins A and C.
For this reason, do count on chrysanthemum tea whenever you are having a headache, feeling anxious, or trying to lose weight.
Besides those general advantages, here are some other chrysanthemum tea benefits that will give your overall health a lift.
1. Relaxes Nerves
Like most types of flower-based tea, chrysanthemum contains cooling properties which serve as a natural relaxant.
Sipping a cup of chrysanthemum tea after a long day of work can relieve your nervous and anxious feeling at once. It also induces calmness that can help you drift into a more decent sleep.
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2. Strengthens Bones
Herbal tea is not commonly linked to stronger bones. However, the case is different with chrysanthemum.
Many studies suggest that this flowering plant has enough mineral contents that can strengthen your bones as well as reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
3. Prevents Chronic Diseases
One of the active compounds in chrysanthemum tea is antioxidants. These compounds work by fighting off free radicals which can lead to chronic diseases.
The risk of cancer or neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s can be reduced by drinking this herbal tea.
4. Treats Cold and Cough
If you catch a common cold, constant coughs, and mild fever, chrysanthemum tea can make you feel better. The tea has both soothing and healing properties which are supported by antioxidants.
Besides warding off the symptoms, drinking chrysanthemum tea will help you recover faster.
5. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Regular consumption of chrysanthemum tea is effective for maintaining cardiovascular health.
The tea works by lowering blood pressure and regulating cholesterol levels. As a result, it can protect you from heart and artery diseases.
6. Increases Metabolism
Chrysanthemum tea contains several beneficial micronutrients which can increase your metabolic rate. These include choline, niacin, riboflavin, and folic acid.
Many nutritionists suggest that those nutrients help to promote weight loss while improving your metabolism.
7. Cares for Your Skin
Beta-carotene and antioxidants in chrysanthemum serve as natural skin care that can prevent premature aging and fades blemishes.
Those compounds will also protect you from several types of skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, and skin irritation.
8. Improves Eyesight and Vision Health
Besides nourishing your skin, beta-carotene which breaks down into vitamin A is beneficial for your vision health.
Some studies suggest that drinking chrysanthemum tea regularly will result in better eyesight and lower risk of vision-related illnesses, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and retinal neuropathy.
How to make Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum is one of the most popular edible flowers in the world. Almost all parts of this flower are safe to eat. While the stalks and leaves can be used for salad, the tea uses dried flowers as the main ingredient.
You can buy a package of dried chrysanthemums in herbal stores or Asian groceries. However, if you plant chrysanthemums in the garden, you can always dry the flowers on your own.
Now, to get you started with the process of tea making, follow some easy and simple steps of this chrysanthemum tea recipe.
- If you grow chrysanthemum in your own garden, pluck the flowers and dry them in a sunny spot for several days. You can skip this step if you use dried chrysanthemum flowers in a store-bought package.
- Boil water, and then let it cool to room temperature (100 F or 37 C) for several minutes.
- Add the dried flowers to the water. You can use a tea strainer or simply put the flowers directly to be filtered later. Whichever way you prefer, keep in mind that 8 ounces of water is ideal for 3-6 dried flowers.
- Steep the tea for a few minutes before you serve it in a teacup.
- Finally, you can enjoy a nice cup of chrysanthemum tea. Drink it directly to taste its original flavor. Alternatively, you can add sugar or honey to sweeten the tea. If you prefer cold to hot tea, adding some ice cubes will be a great final touch.
Chrysanthemum Tea Cautions and Side Effects
Despite multiple chrysanthemum tea benefits, you still need to be aware of potential side effects that may occur in some cases.
If you are allergic to Asteraceae family plants like lettuce, daisy, or sunflower, you should be careful when drinking chrysanthemum tea.
People with this condition may get skin rash and experience respiratory problems after drinking the tea. So, the best way to keep you safe and healthy is by avoiding the tea entirely.
Some properties contained in chrysanthemum may also interact with many prescribed medicines.
That said, if you are required to take medicines for whatever the reason is, you should consult with your doctor before drinking chrysanthemum tea.
Similarly, the consumption of chrysanthemum tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding should be confirmed in advance by doctors or medical specialists.
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