Are you familiar with floral teas? Referred to as tisanes by the French, these soothing, aromatic infusions feature dried flowers such as lavender, jasmine, and chamomile, either alone, or in combination with black, white or green tea. Here are the most popular floral tisanes, some of their wellness benefits, and tips on how to best enjoy them.
Floral Teas With Benefits
1. Calendula
Also known as pot marigold, calendula has long been appreciated by herbalists for its culinary and medicinal uses. Calendula flowers make a lovely therapeutic, slightly bitter brew which contains numerous compounds that may fight oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, including triterpenes, flavonoids, polyphenols and carotenoids.1 Try calendula tea with a bit of raw honey to soothe a sore throat, or as a little pick-me-up any time.
![Traditional Medicinals Herbal Tea Organic Chamomile | Vitacost.com/blog]( "Traditional Medicinals Herbal Tea Organic Chamomile")
2. Chamomile
This delicate tasting tea has a long and venerated history. The Egyptians and the ancient Romans used chamomile to create salves, creams, tea, and other beverages. Chamomile blossoms have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antioxidant properties,2 and contain adaptogens like apigenin and chrysin, which are believed to help soothe the nerves and promote healthy sleep. You can use chamomile tea bags, or steep entire dried flowers for an extra rich brew.
3. Hibiscus
This piquant, ruby-hued infusion, which originates from North Africa and Southeast Asia, has a slightly tart flavor similar to cranberries. Hibiscus flowers are also rich in protective antioxidants. In one animal study, hibiscus extract increased the number of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the harmful effects of free radicals by up to 92 percent.3 Enjoy hibiscus tea alone, or blend 50/50 with dried rose hips for a lush, vitamin C-rich elixir. Sweeten to taste with raw honey or zero-calorie liquid stevia. It’s the perfect summer cooler which doubles as an elegant mocktail or apéritif!
4. Lavender
The Greeks and Romans were among the first to take advantage of this highly aromatic Western Mediterranean native plant, which has long been appreciated for its calming, stress-relieving properties. Additionally, antioxidant-rich tisanes like lavender may support gut health because some polyphenols act as prebiotics, nourishing your microbiome by feeding gut bacteria.4 Enjoy lavender tea on its own, or try a lovely prepared mélange such as this aromatic Organic Rose, Chamomile & Lavender version.
5. Linden
One of the most popular tisanes in France, linden tea has been used since the middle ages to promote perspiration and detoxification, and for its natural sedative properties, which were confirmed in a recent peer-reviewed study.5 Subtly sweet with a hint of citrus, linden tea is rich in antioxidants, volatile oils, and other beneficial compounds, including flavonoids, tiliroside, quercetin and kaempferol.6
![Twinings Classics Loose Tea Jasmine Green | Vitacost.com/blog]( "Twinings Classics Loose Tea Jasmine Green")
6. Jasmine
This beautifully aromatic tea is made by combining leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant with flower petals from either Common Jasmine or Arabian Jasmine. Tea historians estimate that the practice of flavoring tea with jasmine petals originated in the fifth century, when jasmine flowers first came to China from India. Westerners were finally able to gain access to this unique tea in the late 19th century. Jasmine flowers are often blended with green tea, but you can also enjoy white, black, and oolong jasmine-scented teas. Bulk jasmine offers premium value and flavor.
7. Rose
Valued culturally and therapeutically for thousands of years, this fragrant tea is made from the fragrant petals and buds of roses. It is particularly rich in an antioxidant compound called gallic acid, which comprises up to 55 percent of the tea’s total phenol content. In fact, A study of 12 rose cultivars found the phenol content and antioxidant activity of rose tea to be equal to or greater than those of green tea.7 Enjoy it in sumptuous blends such as Sencha Rose green tea, or this Tulsi Sweet Rose combination. You can also mix rose tea 50/50 with an infusion of dried rose hips for a powerful bouquet of flavor and benefits!
The sunny months ahead offer a perfect opportunity to explore these healthy, refreshing, richly aromatic floral blends. Brew, share, and enjoy!
References
1https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5937015/
2https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25176245/
3https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21314460/
4https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22924537/
5https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26144285/
6https://draxe.com/nutrition/linden-tea/
7https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2006.tb12404.x