Drink This Tea For Clear Skin
In China, Chrysanthemum tea is a popular summertime drink because it is refreshing, cooling, and naturally caffeine free. Chrysanthemum is especially good for the skin; it helps to reduce acne, arrest headaches, and can even help with tooth or jaw pain!
Unlike traditional teas, chrysanthemum tea isn't made from leaves. Instead, this infusion tea is made from flowers of the chrysanthemum plant. Chrysanthemums, or mums, are a perennial plant related to the sunflower family and are known for their bright blossoms. Hence the beautiful blossoms unfolding in your teacup when you add hot water!
Known as Ju Hua in Chinese medicine, chrysanthemum flowers have been used in traditional herbal preparations for hundreds of years. Used medicinally, it helps relieve headache, fever, red or dry eyes, and to lower blood pressure. That's a lot of benefit from a little flower!
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I like to add goji berries (aka wolfberries or Gou Qi Zi) and Chinese dates (aka jujube or Da Zao) to amp up the nutritional value of this tea. Goji berries benefit the eyes, skin, and fluids while Chinese dates boost energy, harmonize the stomach, and are a total-body tonic. Plus goji and dates taste delicious and give the tea a slightly sweet flavor.
Grab your glass teacup (so you can watch the flowers unfold) and brew up some of this amazing tea that tastes just as good warm as it does cold.
INGREDIENTS (1 cup of tea)
- 3-5 dried chrysanthemum flowers
- 10-12 dried goji berries
- 1 Chinese date
- Boiling water
- Rock sugar or honey (optional)
DIRECTIONS
- Add the flowers, berries, and date to the bottom of a teacup.
- Pour boiling water over herbs and let liquid steep for at least 15 minutes
- You may strain the herbs if you like, or keep them in your cup
- Add sweetener if desired and enjoy either hot or cold
- In China, it is traditional to continue pouring boiling water over the herbs 3-5 times after you have finished your initial cup of tea. The herbs are still active and lend a light and lovely flavor to the water.
Word of Caution: Some people may experience allergic symptoms when exposed to chrysanthemum tea, particularly if they are allergic to daisies or ragweed. The symptoms are usually mild, ranging from skin rash to itchy eyes or throat. If you have a daisy allergy, this may be one that you skip.
