10 Surprising Benefits of Blooming Tea or Flowering Tea

by John Staughton (BASc, BFA) last updated -

Blooming tea can be a great antioxidant tea, with benefits that may include boosting the metabolism, protecting the skin, lowering stress, possibly improving oral and heart health, stimulating cognitive function, and reducing inflammation. It may also help in treating respiratory disease, enhancing vision, and promoting good digestion.

What is Blooming Tea?

Blooming tea or flowering tea is a combination of teas and tisanes. More specifically, this tea is a tight bundle of green tea leaves or buds skilfully hand-woven around dried flowers like globe amaranth, jasmine, marigold, lily, and osmanthus. When steeped in hot water in a glass teapot, the green tea leaves unfurl, and the flower “blooms”, creating a unique aesthetic effect, while also delivering the health benefits of both components of the bundle.

Blooming tea is not something you can simply prepare from scratch, considering that authentic blooming tea is hand-sewn by skilled Chinese artisans. That is why the other common names for this tea are artisan tea, display tea, crafted tea, or China special tea.

A cup of blooming tea kept beside a teapot containing blooming tea

Blooming Tea consists of a bundle of dried tea leaves wrapped around one or more dried flowers. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

This unique beverage has its roots in China, where it may have been traditionally used for a huge range of medical conditions. The long list of health benefits is possibly due to the high presence of catechins, flavonoids, amino acids, and other antioxidants in green tea, as well as the individual components of the flower in the bundle, which may include different vitamins, minerals, and active organic compounds. [1]

Benefits of Blooming Tea or Flowering Tea

Blooming tea is very beneficial for people. Let us discuss these benefits in detail below.

May Boost Metabolism & Weight Loss

The caffeine content of green tea is may be known to provide a metabolic boost, backed up by a number of other nutrients that can help optimize bodily functions. This may also translate to weight loss effects, making blooming tea a popular choice for those watching their weight.

Might be Rich in Antioxidants

The catechins and flavonoids found in green tea are legendary for their ability to possibly seek out free radicals and neutralize them before they can cause chronic disease, oxidative stress, or inflammation within the body. This may give the immune system a major boost. [2]

Skin Care

Polyphenolic compounds can be particularly good for skin health. They not only stimulate the regrowth of new cells but may also prevent the breakdown of collagen and other skin cells that lead to wrinkles and age spots. Finally, blooming tea may partially protect your skin from UV radiation, and may reduce the signs of aging and sun damage.

Might have Anticancer Potential

The possible anti-mutagenic effects of green tea are widely accepted and known, and the possible antioxidant capacity of this tea is undeniable. According to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a number of studies conducted in China say that green tea intake may have a protective effect against colon and stomach cancer. However, there are mixed results as of yet. [3] [4]

May Relieve Stress

Balancing stress hormones and providing relaxation is easy with blooming tea, both in its preparation and consumption! The catechins and polyphenols may help to re-balance hormone levels and induce a sense of calm, while the aesthetic experience of watching the blooming tea flower unfold is a form of meditation in itself!

May Improve Respiratory Health

If you are suffering from a cough, cold, or congestion, blooming tea may quickly cut through the mucus and eliminate the inflammation in your respiratory tracts. This might help ease the symptoms, while the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of green tea might target the underlying pathogen that causes it. [5]

Might Improve Digestion

If you are using a marigold variety of blooming tea, you may benefit from the digestive boost that flowers can provide. It is known to possibly relieve pain and tightness in the stomach, as well as possibly improving nutrient uptake and soothing symptoms of constipation, cramping, flatulence, and bloating. [6]

Might Lower Pain & Inflammation

The possible anti-inflammatory and analgesic nature of green tea is well known, meaning that this tea can help with chronic pain, arthritis, gout, headaches, hemorrhoids, and joint disorders, while also possibly providing relief to those recovering from injury, surgery, or extended illness. [7]

Heart Health

Green tea might be excellent for heart health, as it may lower LDL cholesterol levels, which is the “bad” form of cholesterol that is deposited in the arteries and blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular complications. [8]

Vision

The globe amaranth variety of blooming tea can aid vision, thanks to its possible rich supply of vitamin A and other active ingredients. This antioxidant may prevent macular degeneration and slow the onset of cataracts by eliminating oxidative stress-causing free radicals. [9]

How to Make Blooming Tea?

Here is a simple process to make blooming tea. Take a look at the recipe below.

A cup of blooming tea kept beside a teapot containing blooming tea

Blooming Tea or Flowering Tea Recipe

Try out this simple recipe and witness this bloom into a special surprise right before your eyes!
2.82 from 11 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: blooming tea, flowering tea
Appliance: Stove
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 cups
Author: Ishani Bose

Ingredients

  • 1 blooming tea bundle
  • 1 clear glass pot or jar (so you can see the flower bloom!)
  • 4 cups of water (filtered)
  • 1 tsp of organic honey or sugar (if necessary)

Instructions

  • To make blooming or flowering tea, place the blooming tea bundle in the glass jar or teapot.
  • Meanwhile, boil the water in a separate stainless steel pot.
  • Pour the water into the glass jar.
  • Allow the mixture to steep for 3-5 minutes as the bundle unfurls to reveal the blooming flower.
  • Let the mixture stand for another 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour the tea (but not the bloom) into cups.
  • Add honey or sugar as per taste and enjoy!

Notes

The bloom can be re-used for another pot of tea if desired.

Side Effects of Blooming Tea

One may experience side effects of blooming tea depending on the type of flower which was used in the bundle. Also, the green tea which is used to wrap the bundle is rich in caffeine may have certain side effects.

The most common side effects of blooming tea include:

  • Headaches
  • Nervousness
  • Anxiety
  • Stomach upset
  • Diarrhea
  • Irritability
  • Irregular heartbeats

Make sure this tea is consumed in moderation.

Besides, the five most common types of flowers in blooming tea may also contribute some other side effects that must be considered.

  • Jasmine – Those people who are allergic to Jasmine may experience contact dermatitis when this is the flower of choice in the blooming tea; the reaction can also include stomach upset, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting.
  • Lily – The pollen of this flower is a very common allergen for people, and while there is a limited amount of pollen in blooming tea, it could result in respiratory distress, sneezing, itching, and irritation of the skin, mouth, or eyes.
  • Osmanthus – While traditional Chinese medicinal practice recommends the use of osmanthus during pregnancy, it is warned against by the FDA and other international regulators for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Speak to your doctor before adding osmanthus blooming tea to your diet.
  • Globe Amaranth – Known scientifically as Gomphrena globosa, this flower is highly allergenic, particularly to people who are allergic to tumbleweed, ragweed, and other fairly common allergens.
  • Marigold – This type of flower may cause itchiness, swelling, skin irritation, trouble breathing, or dizziness, but this is typically only when consumed in very high concentrations.
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About the Author

John Staughton is a traveling writer, editor, publisher and photographer with English and Integrative Biology degrees from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana (USA). He co-founded the literary journal, Sheriff Nottingham, and now serves as the Content Director for Stain’d Arts, a non-profit based in Denver, Colorado. On a perpetual journey towards the idea of home, he uses words to educate, inspire, uplift and evolve.

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