Drinking Flower Tea: Debunking Common Misconceptions

Are You Drinking Flower Tea Correctly?

Flower tea, also known as scented tea, is a unique type of processed tea in China. It is made by steeping plant flowers, leaves, or fruits in tea. By taking advantage of tea's ability to absorb different aromas, scented flowers are mixed with fresh tea leaves and then removed, resulting in a fragrant and flavorful tea with a deep color. Flower tea can be further classified into herbal flower tea and fruit flower tea. Herbal flower tea refers to teas made from leaves or flowers, such as lotus leaf or sweet chrysanthemum. Fruit flower tea refers to teas made from fruits, such as fig, lemon, hawthorn, monk fruit, or fruits with flowers. Flower tea is known for its pleasant aroma and health benefits. It has tightly twisted and even leaves, a yellow-green color, a fresh and strong fragrance, a light yellow and bright soup color, and tender and bright leaf base. Flower tea is mainly made from green tea, black tea, or oolong tea as the tea base, combined with fragrant flowers that can release their aroma when brewed. The most common types of flower tea include jasmine tea, magnolia tea, osmanthus tea, and orchid tea, with jasmine tea being the most widely produced.

Many people have noticed that in addition to green tea, more and more people around them are drinking flower tea. They simply put a few roses, chrysanthemums, or pomegranate flowers in a transparent glass cup, not for fashion, but for health and well-being.

However, is flower tea suitable for everyone? And how should different individuals choose the right flower tea? In this season of blooming flowers, we visited several traditional Chinese medicine experts and tea culture specialists who have studied flower tea to clarify common misconceptions about drinking flower tea.

Misconception 1: Will Men Become "Effeminate" by Drinking Flower Tea?

"Many of my female colleagues at the office drink flower tea every day. Some say it's for beauty and skincare, while others say it helps with detoxification and weight loss. I couldn't help but want to try it," said Xiao Wu, a recent college graduate who is a bit overweight, considering trying his female colleagues' slimming flower tea.

However, just as he was about to give it a try, his male colleagues expressed a serious concern. "I heard that women become more beautiful by drinking flower tea because the flowers contain estrogen. If men drink it, will it have any effect? Will it make us effeminate?" Xiao Wu was shocked by his male colleagues' worries.

With so many health benefits of flower tea, can men really drink it?

In the foods we eat, plants with high levels of estrogen include royal jelly and soy, but as long as they are consumed in moderation, they do not significantly affect hormone levels in the body. Moreover, flowers themselves do not contain significant amounts of estrogen, so there is no need to worry. Men can confidently drink flower tea just like women.

For example, if a woman has spots on her face, according to traditional Chinese medicine, it is the result of stagnation of Qi and blood stasis. Drinking flower teas like plum blossom or rose can promote blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, and regulate liver Qi, resulting in a beauty and skincare effect.

The same principle applies to men. Men often face high work pressure, which can lead to poor blood circulation and various physical discomforts. Drinking flower tea can not only promote blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, but the aroma of flower tea can also help regulate mood.

Reminder: Due to the current environmental pollution, it is best not to drink the first infusion of flower tea to achieve the effect of "washing the tea".

Misconception 2: Do You Need to Drink the Same Flower Tea for a Long Time to See Results?

In our long-term communication with patients, we have noticed that many people tend to drink the same flower tea for a long time.

As the saying goes, "food and medicine share the same origin," and many flowers are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, each with its own characteristics. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes personalized treatment based on different body constitutions. After drinking flower tea for a few days, a person's body constitution may gradually change. If they continue to drink the same flower tea, it may not be suitable.

Moreover, many people have no idea about their own body constitution. They simply drink whatever flower tea others say is good. However, drinking flower tea that is not suitable for their body constitution may cause problems. It is best to consult a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to identify their body constitution before drinking flower tea, and it is not recommended to drink the same flower tea for a long time.

Misconception 3: The More Flower Tea Varieties, the Better?

Many people like to mix multiple flower tea varieties in one cup. Is this practice correct?

Different plants have different properties, and mixing too many different varieties together can lead to conflicts in their effects. Therefore, we recommend that when preparing herbal flower tea, do not exceed five ingredients and try to choose mild-flavored herbs. Strongly medicinal herbs like saffron are not recommended.

If you want a better taste, you can add some ingredients like licorice, which won't affect the color of the brew but will enhance the flavor.

Choose Flower Tea Based on Your Needs and Body Constitution

1. Jasmine Tea

Characteristics: Jasmine flowers have a bitter, sweet, and cool taste, and they have a cooling property.

Suitability: Jasmine tea is especially suitable for spring and summer. However, it is not suitable for individuals with weak constitution, weak spleen and stomach, or women during their menstrual period.

2. Chrysanthemum Tea

Characteristics: Chrysanthemum flowers have a cooling property.

Suitability: Women can add some wolfberries when drinking chrysanthemum tea for better effects. However, it has a cooling property.

3. Honeysuckle Tea

Characteristics: Honeysuckle flowers have a cooling property.

Suitability: Honeysuckle flowers also have a cooling property, so they are suitable for women who experience throat discomfort. It is not suitable for women with Yin deficiency, weak spleen and stomach, or women during their menstrual period.

4. Rose Tea

Characteristics: Rose flowers have a warming property.

Suitability: People with weak constitution and women during their menstrual period can drink rose tea, but it is not suitable for women with Yin deficiency, excessive heat, or heavy menstrual flow.