12 FLOWER TEA: WHAT IS IT FOR, CONTRAINDICATIONS AND EFFECTS - ECONOMÍA - 2024

The 12 flower tea is a mixture to make infusions of twelve plants with therapeutic properties; Despite the name, it is not clear that only the flowers are used to make tea. It contains species native to America, such as sapote (Casimiroa edulis), anacahuite (Schinus molle), tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) and tabachín (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).

It also has plants of diverse origins, such as violet (Viola odorata), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), sage flower (Salvia officinalis), lemon flower (Citrus limon L.), orange blossom (Citrus sinensis or Citrus aurantium), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp), mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and linden flower (Tilia Europea).

The infusion combines vegetables with digestive properties and other calming of the nervous system. Relieves sleep disorders and helps reduce stress, irritability and anxiety; In addition, it has effects on the decrease in heart rate and blood pressure.

It alleviates sensations such as tremors, dizziness and tachycardia; It is worth noting that its effects are not immediate, but are observed after several days or weeks of consumption. It does not contain caffeine or provides calories.

What is it for?

The 12 flower tea is composed of plants of different origins that are mixed with a common purpose, since they have similar properties.

Plants of American origin

White sapote

The white sapote is also known as the Mexican apple and cochitzapotl (in the Nahuatl language it means "sleeping sapote"). It is a species of tropical fruit tree in the Rutaceae family.

Many pharmacologically active compounds have been identified in its seeds, including histamine and zapotinin.

Tejocote

Tejocote is a species of hawthorn also known by the names of manzanita, tejocotera and Mexican hawthorn, native to Mexico and Guatemala.

Its fruit is one of the most useful among the hawthorn, since it contains vitamin C, calcium, iron and vitamins of the B complex. The pectin of the fruit is used by the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Tabachín

Tabachín is also called leaf, poinciana or poinsettia. It is a shrub of approximately 3 meters in height, native to the tropical and subtropical strip of America. It belongs to the leguminous family.

Anacahuita

Anacahuita is a tree that can measure up to 15 meters. It is also called aguaribay or gualeguay. Its origin is the south of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, and it is usually known for the seeds used as a condiment, which recall the flavor of pepper

Plants of other origins

Violet

Violet is a species in the genus Viola, native to Europe and Asia, but it is also cultivated in North America and Australia. It has emollient properties and the aroma it gives off invites you to relax.

Melissa

Melissa is native to the Mediterranean, Iran, Central Asia, and Central Europe. Melissa is another denomination she receives. It has a wide use in aromatherapy and in perfumery.

Mullein

The mullein is also known as verbasco. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Contains mucilage, various saponins, coumarin, and glycosides. The flowers have been found to contain glycyrrhizin compounds.

Linden

Linden flowers are yellowish and have five petals. The genus has about 30 species of trees or shrubs, native to most of the northern hemisphere. Its benefits are largely due to the high concentration of phytonutrients and flavonoids.

Sage

Sage is native to the Mediterranean. The leaves have a wide culinary use.

Orange blossom water

Orange blossom water is the product of the distillation of the acid orange blossom. The plant is from the Rutaceae family native to southern China. Contains terpenes.

Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus is an evergreen tree native to Australia; there are more than 400 different species. The leaves contain flavonoids and tannins. Its properties are recognized by Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western medicine.

Benefits

Plants are used primarily, but not exclusively, for their effects on the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems.

Benefits of sapote, tejecote, anacahuite and tabachín

- The tejocote root infusion is used as a diuretic and antidiarrheal. Fruit-based preparations relieve coughs and various heart diseases.

- Among the medicinal properties of anacahuita, it stands out that it serves as an antiseptic and relieves sore throat.

- Tobacco has traditionally been used as an anti-inflammatory and sedative. The juice of the leaves is febrifuge and that of the flower is analgesic. The seeds have been used to treat respiratory problems.

- The leaves and seeds of the sapote have analgesic and sedative properties. The histamine it contains contributes to lowering blood pressure.

- Several in vitro studies have shown that zapotin has possible anticancer effects against isolated colon cancer cells.

- The sapote has been used as a complement in the treatment of heart weakness.

Benefits of violet and linden, sage, lemon and orange blossom flowers

- Violet tea has digestive properties. In folk medicine, it has been used for a variety of respiratory ailments, insomnia, and skin disorders. However, there is insufficient evidence to support its effectiveness for any of these uses. The crushed leaves have anti-inflammatory properties.

- In natural medicine, sage is recommended to attenuate the symptoms of menopause, due to its content of estrogenic substances.

- Linden flowers have a wide and ancient use in herbalism. In particular, the infusion of the flowers relieves colds, coughs, fever, infections, inflammation, high blood pressure and headache (particularly migraine). It is also used as a diuretic, antispasmodic, and sedative; the flowers have hepatoprotective qualities.

- Lemon flowers, like those of the orange tree, are called orange blossoms or orange blossom. Its infusion has sedative properties, helps digestion and is antispasmodic.

Benefits of lemon balm, mullein and eucalyptus

- Lemon balm leaves are used to treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, liver, and bile. The maceration of the leaves of the plant with spices in alcohol or wine has been known since the 17th century.

This preparation is preserved today under the name of "Agua del Carmen". It is indicated in the treatment of nervous and digestive problems, thanks to its sedative and calming action. In alternative medicine it is used to induce sleep and as a digestive.

- Mullein works as an astringent and emollient. The decoction of the leaves is also used for ailments of the skin, throat and respiratory tract. Native American peoples even smoked the leaves to treat lung ailments. The glycyrrhizin in the flowers has expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.

- Drinking eucalyptus tea throughout the day can help lower blood sugar for people with confirmed or prediabetic diabetes, and it also has anti-inflammatory action. A side effect of eucalyptus tea is its bactericidal action against the bacteria that cause bad breath.

Contraindications

- It is not advisable to consume twelve-flower tea during pregnancy or when its existence is suspected, since sapote seeds can cause uterine contractions.

- Tabachín seeds also have abortifacient properties.

- It is also not advisable to consume while breastfeeding.

Side effects

Although considered a rare side effect, frequent use of linden flowers is associated with heart damage. Long-term ingestion would have potential cardiotoxicity.

Herbal preparations are often perceived as harmless due to their natural character. However, just as they provide benefits, they can be harmful; therefore it is important to be aware of possible side effects.

It is recommended to consult a herbalist or professional doctor before administering any herb medicinally, especially if you are ingesting any medication, due to possible interactions.

How to take it?

The preparation of twelve flower tea is very simple. The infusion is obtained in the market already mixed in an envelope.

Then, to prepare the tea, boiling water is simply added to the cup in which the envelope containing the infusion has been placed. This mixture should be consumed after one to three minutes of preparation.

References

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