What better way to spend an afternoon than to sip a pleasant flower tea and imagine a peaceful garden! The aroma is fresh, slightly sweet from cooling chrysanthemum and exotic frangipani. We are transported to the lush tropics for healing relaxation.
Honeysuckle (lonicera japanica), a broad-spectrum antibiotic herbal medicine known to reduce staff, strept and pneumonia germs, is the unopened bloom that is called in Chinese gold and silver flower. It is slightly bitter and soothing for sore throat, breast and skin infections. Combined with chrysanthemum flower, it is recommended as a cold/flu remedy. Chinese chrysanthemum is sweet and delicious. The tea is traditionally enjoyed hot or cold in summer to allay heat stroke. Nervous moderns use it for migraine, computer eye strain, and hot head discomforts. It might even be useful for cooling an argument or hot flashes.
Japanese sophora flowers and buds are said to be cooling for the liver. In Chinese medicine speak that means it helps reduce red, dry eyes. Sophora is a known cardio tonic herb that helps to promote blood vessel health and regulates the circulatory system. It is helpful for issues ranging from hypertension to hemorrhoids. Sophora japonica, the beautiful flower from the ornamental pagoda tree, contains two potent flavonoids, troxerutin and oxymatrine, which exhibit strong antioxidant activity. According to sciencedirect.com sophora can be used for swollen, painful throat obstruction, burning, stabbing pain, loss of voice, cough, pharyngitis and laryngitis.
Kapok fruit looks like a pod with fluffy pillow filling inside, and it is. Before it becomes pillow filling the young fruit is eaten in areas of Asia especially Thailand. The infusion, apart from being used as an oral rinse, is also used for coughs, hoarseness, catarrh and uterine discharge. Clinical studies have also shown that the stem bark has liver protective benefits. According to sources in Asia, kapok flower decoction is given for constipation and the infusion from the leaves can be used for cough, hoarseness, and inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose. The raw fruit can provide pain relief, and has a substance that is very useful for soothing the mucous membranes in case of bronchitis.
Your potpourri may already contain frangipani flower because its lovely fragrance has been described as “sophisticated, lush, and richly floral . . . like roses, gardenias, pineapple, plum, citrus, ripe banana, grapes, coconut, ginger, candy, or spices.” Medicinally frangipani has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This maintains health by eliminating harmful toxins and free radicals. The oil's purifying qualities protect organs from damage.
Our Five Flowers Tea offers a cooling relaxing trip that helps clear the senses and brings peace. As a pleasant tea, steep the herbs in boiling water for at least five minutes. For a stronger medicinal brew, simmer in water for at least thirty minutes. Lemon or raw honey may be added after it is cool.
Ingredients:
金银花 Honeysuckle flower, 菊花 Chrysanthemum flower, 槐花 Sophora japonica, 木棉花 Kapok, 鸡蛋花 Frangipani
