This Floral Tea Can Help Boost Bone Health, Lower Inflammation, and Ease Stress
Tea always feels like that go-to reliable remedy for when annoying seasonal allergies start flaring up. Or to help us relax after getting a head start on our holiday to-do list. The best part is there are so many tea varieties and blends to choose from, which means there is always a new one to try. We suggest brewing a cup of delicious chrysanthemum tea: Not only is it tasty, but can help protect bone health, reduce inflammation, and nix stress.
This tea comes from chrysanthemum flowering plants that are native to East Asia and Northeastern Europe. There are many species of these flowers with the most diverse amount being cultivated in China as far back as 15 century B.C. To make the tea, the C. morifolium and C. indicum species are dried then steeped in hot water. It’s caffeine-free and has a slightly sweet yet buttery flavor. Brew this drink using a loose leaf version (Buy on Amazon, $14.99) or with tea bags (Buy on Amazon, $10.99) to get the amazing health perks.
Drinking chrysanthemum tea can help ease inflammation. A study published in Food Chemistry looked at the chemical compounds within this tea to understand its anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers found that it contains a high amount of antioxidants called phenols, which work to eliminate free radicals in the body. Also, previous research noted that chrysanthemum extract contains other antioxidants such as flavonoids and lignans that give a helping hand to ward off inflammation.
The antioxidants in chrysanthemum flowers have been linked to protecting bone health as well. Research published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that consuming the extract made from the chrysanthemum indicum flower species prevented the formation of osteoclasts in mice. Osteoclasts are cells that can dissolve the collagen and calcium within bones, causing them to break down and become weaker over time.
This tea is quite literally a soothing sip that helps promote relaxation. A study published in Biomolecules & Therapeutics revealed that ingesting 500 mg. of chrysanthemum water extract had an anxiety-reducing effect on mice. Researchers credited this to the chlorogenic acid within the extract, which regulated stress hormones such as GABAA and 5-HT1A receptors.
It looks like this is the perfect tea to enjoy any time, but especially during those chilly fall evenings with a blanket and a good book!
