Creating a Tea Garden: Part 4 Tea from Flowers

To make your own floral tea, use only healthy flowers that are free of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. You can use fresh or dried flowers for tea. Most people who make homemade tea prefer dried flowers because they are easier to store. If using fresh flowers, be sure to rinse them first. If drying the flowers, tie the flower stems and hang them upside-down in bunches in a well-ventilated, warm, dark place such as an attic. You can also spread them on a screen to dry or dry them in the oven. Keep the dried flowers in an airtight, labeled jar and store in a dark place; they will keep up to a year.

I am providing basic single directions for the flowers for space reasons since there is not that much variation in recipe.

It is easy to make a tea whether using dried or fresh flowers.

Use one tablespoon of fresh flowers or one teaspoon of dried flowers steeped in one cup of boiling water. You can use a tea bag or tea ball or just strain the tea with a cloth. Usually, the steeping time is three to ten minutes; the longer it brews, the stronger it will be.

Bee balm/ Bergamot

Botanical name- Citrus aurantium

Health benefit: may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure

Calendula

Botanical name-calendula officinalis

Health benefit: may help fight cancer

and protect against heart disease

Chrysanthemum

Botanical name-x morifolium

Health benefits: may help with bone health and inflammation

Cornflower

Botanical name-centaurea cyanus

Health benefits: may help with constipation and water retention

Roman Chamomile

Botanical name- chamaemelum nobile

Health benefits: may help with easing skin conditions like eczema or rashes

German Chamomile

Botanical name-matrricaria recutita

Health benefits: may slow or prevent osteoporosis and aid with diabetes issues

Hibiscus

Botanical name- hibiscus moscheutos

Health benefits: May boost liver health and lower blood fat levels

Honeysuckle

Botanical name- lanicera

Health benefits: may prevent infections and regulate bood sugar levels

Jasmine

Botanical name- jasminum officinale

Health benefits: May boost brain function and aid with Alzheimers and parkinsons

Lavender

Botanical name- lavandula augustifolia

Health benefits: may aid respiratory health and detoxify the body

Milk Thistle

Botanical name- silybum marianum

Health benefits: may promote liver health and protect from diabetes

Marigold

Botanical name- tagetes

Health benefits: may help with cramps and aids in digestion

Red Clover

Botanical name- trifolium pratense

Health benefits: may act as a diuretic and aid in weight loss

Saffron Crocus

Botanical name- sativas

Health benefits: may reduce potential heart problems and lower cholesterol

Violet

Botanical name- viola odorata

Health benefits: may aid healthy lymphatic function and sooth skin irritations

Yarrow

Botanical name -chillea millefolium

Health benefits: may enhance wound healing and reduce depression and anxiety

Enjoy your “High Tea” this afternoon!