October 15, 2019Flower Tea 101

Edible Flowers And Their Health Benefits (Europe Edition)

1. Calendula

This blooming flower helps with skin problems, such as skin irritation. Calendula contains anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, astringent, antiviral and antimicrobial qualities. Also, the flower helps with muscle spasms, stomach issues, throat irritation, and menstrual cramps.

Calendula recipes include Lemon Calendula Scones, Calendula and Thyme Shortbread Cookies, and Calendula Bread. The taste of the flower is mild, as it does not have much of a taste. However, it is great to ornament confectionery, and adds a lot of color to dishes.

2. Lavender

Lavender is mostly used for aromatherapy, the flower's fragrant smell helps promote calmness by helping with reducing stress, combating insomnia, treating headaches, reducing nervousness and decreasing restlessness.

Lavender has a distinctive fragrant taste, which goes well with desserts such as Lavender Shortbread Cookies, Lavender Buttercream, Lemon Lavender Cake and Lavender Cupcakes.

3. Violets

Since Violets have flavonoids, and alkaloids they are able to help reduce blood pressure. Also, the flower has anti-inflammatory properties, helps with digestion, relieves sore throats, decreases congestion and helps treat skin issues. This blooming flower has a sweet floral taste.

Some recipes with Violets are: Violet Muffins, Violet Simple Syrup and Violet Cupcakes.

4. Lilac

Lilac helps with both emotional and physical well being. The flower helps with sore throats, nosebleeds, menstrual cramps and fevers. Also, the flower has antiseptic qualities. Furthermore, the blooming flower helps to promote calmness, and decrease anxiety.

Recipes which include the Lilac flower are: Lilac Honey Cake, Lilac Cheesecake and Lilac Lemon Cake.

5. Elderflower

Elderflower has a fresh, fruit and subtle floral taste. The flower tastes similar to lychee, and pear. Benefits of the blooming flower are it helps relieve colds, decreases inflammation in sinuses and aids in controlling diabetes. Furthermore, the flower has qualities which increase urine production, and sweating. Also, Elderflowers have anti-inflammatory properties.

Recipes of Elderflower are: Elderflower Lemon Cake, Lemon Elderflower Popsicles and Elderflower Syrup.

6. Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet has a subtle light floral taste, and is similar to Elderflower. Herbal benefits of this blooming flower are it can help alleviate pain and fever. Also, the flower helps with colds, bronchitis, upset stomach and heartburn.

Some delicious recipes which incorporate Meadowsweet are: Meadowsweet Sorbet, and Meadowsweet Ice Cream.

7. Marshmallow

The whole marshmallow plant is edible, which includes the marshmallow flowers, which are pink with a fragrant taste. The flower can be a herbal remedy for digestive issues, such as heartburn and constipation. Marshmallows are now made of gelatin, however during the European Middle Ages they were made out of honey, and the marshmallow flower.

8. Chamomile

Chamomile has a warm, sunny flavor. Chamomile is usually consumed by drinking chamomile herbal tea. However, chamomile adds the same beautiful taste to desserts. Health benefits of chamomile are: the flower promotes sleep and treats insomnia, increases immunity, is a herbal remedy of a cold and decreases stress.

Recipes with the flower are: Chamomile Honey Tea Cake, Lavender Chamomile Scones and Chamomile Strawberry Cake.

9. Daisy

Daisies have slight bitter flavor. Daisies help soothe coughs, are a herbal remedy for bronchitis and have anti-inflammatory properties. Because of the bitter flavor of daisies they are used as garnishing to make dishes look more beautiful, or people drink wild daisy tea.

10. Clover

Clovers are either red or white. Clovers can be a herbal remedy for cough, whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma and cholesterol. Red and white clover have a sweet taste, and can be easily grown during the summer.

Some recipes of the flower are: Red Clover Flour Muffins, White Clover Flour Cookies and Red Clover Biscuits.