Looking for an enchanting herbal tea with floral notes? Look no further than cornflower tea! This delicate infusion is made with real cornflower petals and boasts a beautiful blue hue.
Not only does cornflower tea make a stunning visual addition to any table, but it also comes with some great health benefits. According to recent research, the petals are antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. So if you’re looking for a healthy and delicious herbal tea, the petals are a great choice.
What are Cornflowers?
Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) are annual flower that blooms in the summer months. They’re part of the daisy family, and their beautiful blue petals have been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
They are native to Europe and can be found in meadows and fields throughout the continent. They’re relatively easy to grow, and make a beautiful addition to any garden.
Today, cornflowers are most commonly used as a decorative element in potpourri or as a natural dye. But their stunning blue hue isn’t the only thing that makes them special. They are also rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can offer some impressive health benefits.
The most well-known flavonoid in cornflowers is quercetin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Quercetin is also a potent antioxidant, which means it can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
How to Make Cornflower Tea
Making cornflower tea is easy and only requires a few simple ingredients. First, start by adding 1 tablespoon of cornflower petals to a cup or mug.
Next, add your filtered or bottled boiling water to the cup or mug and let the cornflower petals steep for 5-10 minutes. Once they’re done steeping, strain the tea and enjoy.
You can also add honey or lemon to your tea if you like. These ingredients can help enhance the taste of sweet, delicate, floral notes with every sip.
Benefits of Cornflower Tea
Cornflower tea is a healthy and delicious herbal tea that offers a variety of benefits. Thanks to its high antioxidant content, cornflower tea can help boost immunity, protect against cancer, and improve skin health. It may also help enhance digestion and lower blood pressure.
1. May Boost Immunity
One of the most impressive benefits of cornflower tea is its ability to boost immunity. This is thanks to the presence of quercetin, which is a flavonoid with antimicrobial properties.
Quercetin can help fight off infections by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and viruses. It’s also been shown to reduce inflammation, which can further help boost immunity.
2. May Enhance Digestion
Cornflower tea may also be helpful for digestion. This is due to the presence of tannins, which are compounds that can help increase the production of stomach acid.
Stomach acid is important for digesting food properly and preventing gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, heartburn and bloating.
3. May Help Lower Blood Pressure
Cornflower tea may also help lower blood pressure. This is thanks to the presence of flavonoids like quercetin, which have been shown to relax the smooth muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels.
This can help improve circulation and reduce blood pressure. In fact, one study found that quercetin was as effective as captopril, a common blood pressure medication, at reducing blood pressure in rats.
4. May Help Improve Skin Health
Cornflower tea may also be helpful for skin health. This is thanks to the presence of flavonoids like quercetin, which have been shown to reduce inflammation.
Inflammation is a major contributor to a variety of skin conditions like acne, eczema and psoriasis. By reducing inflammation, it can help improve skin health and reduce the risk of these conditions
It’s generally considered safe for most people. However, it’s important to consult with your doctor before adding it to your diet if you have a medical condition or take medication. This is because cornflower tea can interact with some medications and may not be suitable for everyone.
Why Not Give it a Try
If you’re interested in trying cornflower tea, why not try our Earl Grey Tea with Cornflowers? This delicious blend combines the classic Earl Grey flavour with the delicate sweetness of cornflower petals. It’s the perfect way to enjoy this unique and healthy herbal tea.