The Benefits of Honeysuckle Flowers
3 Steps To Make Dried Honeysuckle Flowers For Tea At Home
Honeysuckle is an herbal plant that offers more benefits than you can imagine. Its most wonderful parts are the flowers, which are trumpet-shaped in many eye-catching colors. Although fresh flowers are best for making tea, dried flowers last longer. And it's not impossible to make dried honeysuckle flowers for tea. Follow these instructions to turn these dried flowers into a beneficial herbal tea!
3 Steps To Make Dried Honeysuckle Flowers For Tea At Home
1. Why should you drink dried honeysuckle flower tea?
2. How to make dried honeysuckle flowers for tea
2.1 Harvest honeysuckle flowers
2.2 Dry fresh honeysuckle flowers
2.3 How to make honeysuckle flower tea recipe
3. How to use dried honeysuckle flower tea properly
4. What to do with honeysuckle flowers besides tea?
4.1 Honeysuckle tincture with basil
4.2 Honeysuckle essential oil infusion
4.3 Summer honeysuckle drink
4.4 Honeysuckle jelly
5. Conclusion
1. Why should you drink dried honeysuckle flower tea?
Honeysuckle has been studied for its healing properties and health benefits. As an ingredient in Chinese medicines, this herb has the potential to aid in the treatment of digestive ailments and relieve headaches and symptoms of a cold or flu. Some studies also confirm its effectiveness in inhibiting the viruses that cause H1N1 and H5N1. You can also use it to improve your hair and skin.
It's incredible. This popular herb in many gardens can become part of your daily routine and offers many health benefits. So it is processed into tea and many other forms. One glass of dried honeysuckle flower tea is enough for your wonderful day.
This tea is also relatively easy to drink and is safe for most people. Of course, there are recommendations for it, but it's basically safe. It also has a pleasant sweetness when combined with other ingredients, such as honey. Now it's time to see how to make this tea!
2. How to make dried honeysuckle flowers for tea
To get a good honeysuckle tea, you need a little effort. First, harvest the fresh flowers from your garden, then dry them and make tea according to the instructions below.
2.1 Harvest honeysuckle flowers
Choose flowers early in the morning, opting for fully formed, newly opened flowers with elongated shapes and closed buds. Avoid mature flowers with open trumpets as they may have fewer active compounds. If you don't have a honeysuckle tree in your garden yet, now is the perfect time to grow it from seed!
2.2 Dry fresh honeysuckle flowers
Spread a pound of flowers across a square yard on a flat surface to ensure proper air circulation. Place them between non-toxic newspaper ink or layers of cheesecloth on trays.
Dry the flowers in a shaded, well-ventilated area with low humidity. Allow them to dry until brittle, which can take several days to a week. Transfer the dried flowers to an airtight, opaque container and store them in a cool, dark place away from sunlight. Use within one year for optimal freshness.
2.3 How to make honeysuckle flower tea recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups dried honeysuckle
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions:
- Gather dried honeysuckle flowers.
- Place the flowers in a large cup.
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, remove from heat, and wait 2 minutes.
- Pour hot water over the flowers in the vase.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature while steeping.
- Serve the tea over ice and store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
3. How to use dried honeysuckle flower tea properly
The best way to enjoy this herbal tea is early in the morning or at night before going to bed. Honeysuckle tea can help you wake up or start your morning in a good mood. Moreover, you can drink 1 cup of tea before bed for better sleep.
In the summer, a glass of cold dried honeysuckle tea also helps to cool down the body. If you have a mild cold, have a small cup of hot tea, which can help reduce the symptoms of the illness. Also, including this tea in your daily routine brings many health and beauty benefits.
However, pay attention to the dosage of tea. Do not use more than 1-2 cups daily to limit unwanted effects. Avoid this or any other herbal tea without consulting your doctor if you are pregnant.
4. What to do with honeysuckle flowers besides tea?
Besides processing dried honeysuckle flowers to make tea, here are other ways to take advantage of the benefits of this herbal flower at home:
4.1 Honeysuckle tincture with basil
You can combine fresh honeysuckle flowers and chopped basil in equal parts for enhanced protection from cold and viruses.
- Fill a jar halfway with roughly chopped honeysuckle (and perilla leaves, if desired), including small green tips.
- Pour 100-proof vodka into the jar until almost complete. Stir, cover, and label.
- Store in the refrigerator and occasionally shake for 4-6 weeks before straining. Tincture lasts 1-2 years.
Usage: Mix a few drops to a full dropper with honey, or add to tea, ginger ale, or other beverages. It can also be used in DIY herbal throat sprays.
4.2 Honeysuckle essential oil infusion
Fill a half-liter jar with dried honeysuckle flowers and add your preferred oil (olive, sunflower, rice bran, apricot kernel, or jojoba oil). Cover and refraction for over 4 weeks to infuse. Oil infusion's life is approximately 1 year, or as long as the oil remains fresh.
Usage: Use in lip balms, skin oils, lotions, soaps, body butter, etc.
4.3 Summer honeysuckle drink
Ingredients:
- Honeysuckle tea
- Oranges
- Lemon
- Honey (or preferred sweetener)
Instructions:
- Combine orange and lemon juice with honeysuckle flower tea and honey mixture.
- Mix 1/2 cup of orange/lemon juice with 1/4 cup of tea and honey.
- Taste the 2:1 ratio mixture and adjust as needed.
Usage: Serve over shaved ice and fresh orange slices (optional) for a refreshing summer drink.
4.4 Honeysuckle jelly
This is a delicious and nutritious dessert for every season of the year. Prepare a glass of honeysuckle flower tea, a packet of powdered pectin, sugar, and water to make jelly.
Depending on your taste, you need to mix the above ingredients in the appropriate ratio. For example, add more sugar but less water if you like sweet and thick jelly. If you want a strong honeysuckle scent, 1-2 cups of tea are ideal.
Then bring the mixture to a boil and constantly stir while it cooks. Turn off the heat until the mixture is completely dissolved and the water is simmering for about 5 minutes.
Usage: Pour the mixture into glasses, cups, or specialized jelly molds, let it cool, and enjoy them.
5. Conclusion
So, above is our guide on how to make dried honeysuckle flowers for tea. It will help you to have a delicious and beneficial herbal tea in your daily routine. Besides tea, honeysuckle can make an orange drink, essential oil, alcohol, and jelly. If you need various flowers for such recipes, visit TheRike Store, where you will find high-quality products at reasonable prices. It's also the place to shop for herbs, seasonal seeds, and more. Check them out now!
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