Osmanthus orange. Properties and description of fragrant tea with osmanthus. Useful properties of shrubs

Damask Rosa

Genus osmatnus ( Osmanthus) belongs to the olive family (Oleaceae), it includes about 30 species of flowering plants, most of which are located in the warm Asian climate. In nature, these plants grow in a fairly wide geographical zone: from 36 to 45 degrees north latitude, from the Caucasus to Japan.

In the Himalayas, osmatnus can be found high in the mountains, for example, in Nepal they grow abundantly in mountain forests along with holly (Ilex dipyrena) and castanopsis (Castanopsis spp) - a kind of chestnut tree on which medicinal shiitake mushrooms grow. The name of these mushrooms is derived from the Japanese words take - "mushroom" and shii - "castanopsis".

Among all types of osmanthus stands out brightly fragrant osmanthus ( Osmanthus fragrans), in another way it is also called tea or fragrant olive.

It originates from China, there is even an area called Gui Ling, which in Chinese means "scented forest". Osmanthus has been growing in China for several thousand years and is considered by the Chinese to be one of the ten most beloved flowers.

As a traditional symbol of romantic love, osmanthus is used in Taiwan's ancient wedding ceremony. According to the custom, the bride should bring to the new family osmanthus and pomegranate grown by her in a pot with her own hands. A fragrant plant in this case symbolizes love and fidelity, a fruit plant symbolizes peace and fertility, and together such a gift means that a young wife is ready to give birth to her husband wonderful children, and the family will be rich in children and grandchildren.

Many legends are associated with osmanthus in China, because its flowers, among other things, are a symbol of the Chinese Moon Festival, which is celebrated in September - it is at this time that fragrant osmanthus begins its abundant flowering, which can last until spring.

At the height of the holiday, Chinese families gather in the garden or in the yard, eat traditional "moon cakes", and grandmothers tell old tales about the enchanted Chan E who lived on the moon, the giant Wu Gan, the magical Jade Rabbit and the huge fragrant osmanthus that guards the Moon Palace.

Here is what the ancient legends say:

The tale of Wu Gan and the osmanthus tells how the giant Wu Gan was punished by the Jade Emperor for his sin - he was insanely jealous. The emperor sent him to the moon, to the Guanhanyon Palace and gave him the task of cutting down the huge immortal osmanthus that grows in front of the palace. To cut down such a colossus was a completely hopeless and practically impossible business, since. the tree had magical powers - the cut off branches immediately grew again. An endless competition stretched out for thousands of years - Wu Gan chopped, and the tree not only immediately restored the damage inflicted on it, but also became even higher, wider and more beautiful. Finally, the tree grew so much that it completely covered the palace under its crown.

One of the most beloved characters in this tale is the Jade Rabbit, who grinds with a mortar the ingredients of the elixir of immortality, with the help of which the osmanthus remains alive forever.

And in the tale of the Moon Lady, it is said about how the Jade Emperor decided to reward his best archer - to give him the elixir of life: a sweet fragrant pill. And his wife, beautiful Chang E, decided to deceive her husband. She stole the pill while he was sleeping and, taking it, gained the ability to fly. She immediately soared into the air and flew and flew until she flew to the moon. There she became a prisoner in the cold Moon Palace, where she lived all alone. This was the punishment for her transgression. It is said that sometimes, on a full moon, you can see how the Moon Lady - that's how they began to call Chan E, sadly wanders along the moon. And the beautiful fragrant osmanthus, which grows in front of the Moon Palace, with its wonderful smell reminds her of her lost love and makes the repentant Chang E feel even more unhappy ..

Only the Jade Rabbit, the only inhabitant of the Palace, became her devoted friend. From time to time, Chang E asks him to take a mortar and pestle and prepare a magic pill for her so that she can return to earth, to her husband. But the Rabbit is busy all the time, because he is preparing the elixir of immortality for the beautiful osmanthus, and the unfortunate woman is still waiting for her turn to finally come ..

Famous Chinese gui hua cha- infusion of fragrant osmanthus petals - this is an incredibly delicate and unique, slightly sweet, fragrant drink that is drunk on its own or added to black or green tea. Even after drinking this fantastic drink, your breath remains fresh and fragrant for a long time.

Sometimes they just make fragrant tea, for which they mix the tea leaves with dried osmanthus and jasmine flowers (Jasminum sambac), and then close this mixture in a hermetically sealed jar for two to three weeks, after which it is brewed in the usual way.

The Chinese use sun-dried osmanthus flowers in cooking, flavoring jams, soups, sweet biscuits, dumplings, and even making liquor out of them. Jam with the addition of osmanthus is used in the preparation of chatang, a traditional dish in northern China, a kind of liquid porridge made from millet or sorghum with sugar and jam.

In addition, a decoction of osmanthus flowers is a good cough remedy, compresses from a decoction of the bark are used in the treatment of severe suppuration - boils and carbuncles, it also helps with inflammation of the retina. Fragrant osmanthus is used in cosmetics as a skin and hair nourishing agent. Essential oil is made from flowers, and the flowers themselves are an excellent remedy for moths!

Fragrant osmanthus first came to Europe in the middle of the 19th century. It was brought there by a French Jesuit missionary, enthusiastic botanist Jean Marie Delaway. (1834 - 1895) . During his stay in China, J. M. Delaway described more than 4,000 plant species, of which 1,500 were previously unknown. Several of these plants now bear his name, including a species of osmanthus.

Fragrant osmanthus, depending on the conditions, can be a strong voluminous evergreen shrub or even grow into a small tree. It has simple opposite leathery, shiny leaves with serrated edges.

Very fragrant small white flowers with four-lobed tubular corollas (false petals) grow in small panicles. The wonderful smell of fragrant osmanthus flowers, a bit reminiscent of the smell of ripe peaches or apricots, is heard from afar..

The fruit of the fragrant osmatus is a stone fruit (drupe) 10-15 mm in size, covered with a dense dark blue or purple skin, there is one seed inside.

Osmanthus flowers are bisexual, that is, each flower has both male and female characteristics. Usually osmanthus bloom begins in September or October, lasts all winter and almost all spring, until April, and sometimes until May. Osmanthus blooms not constantly, but in waves, in just a season it has from two to four waves of flowering.

The aroma of fragrant ostmanthus is provided by the breakdown of beta-carotene and other carotenoids - hydrocarbons that are actively involved in the formation of leaf pigment.

The yellow, orange and red pigments act as antennas, absorbing light and then transferring its energy to form chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll molecules, in turn, convert solar energy into chemical energy, which accumulates in the molecules of the resulting sugar.

Usually carotenoids "hide" under the mask of green chlorophyll. And when chlorophyll breaks down, carotenoids give us the opportunity to admire the magnificent spectacle of autumn foliage. Carotenoids also signal that the fruits are ripe: tomatoes turn red, carrots and tangerines turn orange, yellow hues are characteristic of ripe pineapples and lemons.

Beta-carotene is essential for vision. In the human body, its molecules break down into two molecules of retinol (vitamin A), which, in turn, turn into retinal, the pigment that allows us to see. It is carotenoids that make our world colorful. The whole warm spectrum becomes visible: we can see crocuses - yellow, flamingos - pink, and a rose - red. The breakdown of carotenoid derivatives gives plants flowers and leaves an odor, and fruits a taste.

So, for example, when beta-carotene is converted into beta-damascenone, consisting of 13 carbon compounds, the whole essence of the aroma of the Damascus rose is revealed. AT Crocus sativus beta-carotene is converted into ten-carbon safranal, which gives the plant a characteristic smell and bright color, provides its coloring ability.

And in our fragrant osmanthus, beta-carotene is converted into a 9-13-carbon mixture, which gives the smell of osmanthus that sensual, “thirsty” note for which perfumers appreciate it so much. You begin to feel this smell long before you see its source. At the beginning of the 20th century, this nostalgic-delicate smell inspired perfumers to create perfumes based on osmanthus essential oil.

Osmanthus fragrans can be not only white flowers . There are very beautiful hybrids : Apricot Gold with fragrant golden apricot flowers, Butter Yellow butter color, Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus , blooming all autumn with pale orange flowers , Orange Supreme- very decorative osmatnus with bright orange flowers. There is also a hybrid Osmanthus x futurae, which is distinguished not only by the delicious smell of its flowers, but also has an unusual leaf shape resembling a holly. Sometimes it is called that - a fake holly.

Osmatnus fragrant is a wonderful plant, it can be grown equally successfully, both at home and in the garden. The plant grows well on light sandy soil, and on loam, and on heavy clay soils. It equally well perceives acidic, neutral and alkaline soil, it can grow even in very alkaline areas. In the first year of life, osmanthus, in order to form a deep and branched root system, need regular watering, but later the earth at the roots should not dry out. You can feed the plant with conventional fertilizers in early spring, before the formation of young shoots. To give an adult plant a neat shape, after flowering, pruning is performed.

Fragrant Osmatnus grows rather slowly, but it is easy to grow. It loves the sun and a little shade, is quite resistant to wind and cold, and can withstand slight frosts. However, with prolonged sub-zero temperatures or more severe frost, it may not survive.

Osmanthus reproduces well with 7-12 cm cuttings taken from an adult tree in September-October. Cuttings are best rooted in an unheated greenhouse or arranged on a windowsill in a cool room. Rooted seedlings can be planted in the soil only after 18 months, in the spring.

Osmanthus can also be propagated by seeds - the percentage of germination directly depends on the freshness of the seeds. Old seeds can also sprout if they are subjected to a semi-annual stratification before sowing: three months of warm and three months of cold.

Seeds germinate within 6-18 months, and seedlings can be transplanted into an individual pot only after they grow strong enough to live on their own. The first winter, seedlings are best placed in a greenhouse or kept at home, and they should be transplanted into open ground in early summer.

By planting a fragrant osmanthus at home, you will forever be spared from the winter depression that this cold and dark season unwittingly casts - because it blooms all winter.

With the wonderful aroma of its flowers and a cup of fragrant gui hua cha, which is not difficult to make by mixing good loose leaf tea with dried flowers of your own osmanthus, you will surely feel at least a little happier. And, looking out the window, finding the full moon in the dark winter sky, you will smile like an old acquaintance, the Jade Rabbit, who keeps pushing and pushing his elixir of immortality..

References:

Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London.
Manandhar. N.P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E.S. Medical Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985
Baacciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 I
Stuart. Rev. G.A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei.

Synonym: osmanth, fragrant olive, tea olive, fragrant olive, sweet olive.

Osmanthus is a genus of low evergreen shrubs or trees with shiny leaves and fragrant inflorescences. Osmanthus is a versatile and useful plant used in cooking, perfumery, cosmetology and traditional medicine in some countries. Osmanthus flowers are a world famous natural tea flavoring. The essential oil of the plant is widely used in perfumery and cosmetology.

Ask the experts

In medicine

Due to a wide range of useful properties, osmanthus is used in oriental medicine. The essential oil of the plant is widely used in aromatherapy, as well as in folk medicine as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory, sedative. For medicinal purposes, flowers, bark and roots of the shrub are used. The benefits of osmanthus in oriental medicine are enormous. Osmanthus flowers in the form of decoctions and infusions are used for colds as an effective cough remedy. Decoctions from the stems are effective in the treatment of boils, carbuncles, rhinitis and whooping cough. Decoctions of the roots of the plant are used for bruises, hematomas, dysmenorrhea. The use of osmanthus is advisable for obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, since the active substances of the plant have an anti-sclerotic effect, lower blood cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.

Contraindications and side effects

Using osmanthus for medicinal or cosmetic purposes, you need to know some of its contraindications. Plant-based medicines are not used for high blood pressure, epilepsy. Osmanthus tea during pregnancy and lactation is also not recommended. Contraindications to the use of osmanthus are also individual intolerance, a tendency to allergic reactions, and children's age. The essential oil of fragrant osmanthus is not consumed internally, only externally.

In horticulture

Osmanthus is an evergreen ornamental plant that attracts gardeners with its small size, interesting leaf shape, strong aroma during flowering, which lasts almost a whole year, and moderate growth rate. The plant is ideal for growing in indoor and greenhouse conditions and for use in interior landscaping. Some species delight with their flowering in winter. Outdoor cultivation of osmanthus is possible only in the south of the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory.

Osmanthus is an unpretentious culture, prefers the sunny side of lighting. For normal development and growth, nutritious, sandy soil is suitable. The plant can be given any shape, it is not afraid of pruning.

Watering is necessary moderate, throughout the year, but the plant does not tolerate excessive drying of an earthen coma. Osmanthus needs a bright, cool wintering, tolerates a drop in temperature to -7 ° C. Osmanthus lovers are attracted by their bright flowering. There are many hybrids with white flowers (Osmanthus fragrans variety), golden apricot (Apricot Gold), cream (Butter Yellow), pale orange (Osmanthus fragrans f. Aurantiacus), bright orange flowers (Orange Supreme).

In perfumery

Osmanthus is a universal plant used not only in cooking, cosmetology or oriental medicine. The delicate aroma of flowers of the plant with an unusual admixture of fruity peach-apricot notes is widely used in the perfume industry. Osmanthus is used in perfumery as an absolute, the yield of which is up to 75%, and concrete - up to 0.2%. This is a rather expensive raw material on the international market, it is a seasonal product. Absolute or absolute oil (highly concentrated liquid) is obtained from the fragrant golden yellow flowers of osmanthus by a solvent extraction process. The concrete is also obtained by the extraction of fresh flowers with petroleum ether. Osmanthus oil is considered the most valuable among the known essential oils. The subtle aroma of osmanthus in perfumery is called "the memory of a Chinese garden." The aroma of osmanthus goes well with rose, geranium, mandarin, neroli and sandalwood.

In other areas

In cooking

Osmanthus is a plant popular in oriental cuisine, the flowers and fruits of which are used in the food industry. Dried osmanthus flowers are a popular aromatic addition to black or green tea in the world. In China, gui hua cha is a traditional aromatic infusion made from osmanthus flowers. Dried osmanthus flowers are added not only to teas, but also to sweet wines, juices, sweet sauces, cakes, pastries, pies and many other desserts. Osmanthus fruits are also edible, and unripe fruits are cooked and preserved in brine (similar to olives).

The famous Chinese infusion of osmanthus petals called "gui hua cha" is a delicate drink with a floral-fruity aroma reminiscent of the taste of peaches and apricots. An infusion from the flowers of the plant is consumed on its own, or used as an aromatic additive in black (red) or green tea. Fragrant tea with the addition of dried osmanthus and jasmine flowers has a special taste. The Chinese know that you can get a tea drink with an exquisite aroma of osmanthus if you know which tea is ideally combined with notes of dried osmanthus. For this purpose, black tea Puerh or green tea is used, but white and other types of tea are not combined with the fruity taste of osmanthus.

Chatang, a traditional Chinese dish, is a kind of sweet porridge made from sorghum or millet with the addition of osmanthus flower jam.

In cosmetology

Due to its pleasant sweetish aroma and valuable medicinal properties, osmanthus is actively used in cosmetology. Providing anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating, regenerating effects on the skin, osmanthus is widely used in the manufacture of cosmetic products designed to care for problematic and aging skin of the face and body. Osmanthus extract has a calming effect on the skin, effective in the fight against acne. The active substances of the plant actively moisturize the skin, while removing the feeling of tightness and discomfort. The regenerating properties of osmanthus contribute to the restoration of the collagen structure in skin cells, affecting the deep layers of the skin. The plant has a unique ability to smooth fine and deeper wrinkles. Active substances in the composition of osmanthus actively nourish the skin, activating its natural natural potential for self-healing.

A new alternative to Botox is a high-quality cosmetic product using osmanthus extract - an eye mask. Osmanthus for the eyes provides a pronounced lifting effect, intensively moisturizes the skin, eliminates dark circles under the eyes. The mask with osmanthus actively stimulates the regenerative process of the delicate skin cells around the eyes, the active components of the plant help to smooth out wrinkles, “crow's feet” in the corners of the eyes, and remove “bags” under the eyes. Osmanthus has strong antioxidant properties, helps cleanse the skin of toxic substances.

Osmanthus essential oil, which has gained wide popularity in cosmetology, is also valued for its unique properties. Essential oil of osmanthus, as the main component of cosmetic products, gives a pronounced and more lasting result than the plant extract. The oil of the plant is included in many cosmetic products for facial skin and hair care. Osmanthus essential oil eliminates inflammatory processes of the skin, prevents its irritation, effectively treats dermatosis, furunculosis, evens out the skin, smoothing out defects, scars, scars, improves complexion, and also restores skin firmness and elasticity. Masks using osmanthus essential oil are effective for treating damaged, brittle and dry hair. Recent studies have shown that osmanthus extract is safe and effective in lightening hair.

Classification

Osmanthus (lat. Osmaanthus) is a genus of evergreen flowering plants of the Olive family (lat. Oleaceae), the number of which is about 13-30 species. In cooking, medicine, cosmetology, perfumery, horticulture, the most famous species is fragrant Osmanthus (lat. Osmanthus fragrans) - an evergreen shrub or small tree.

Botanical description

Genus Osmanthus are small evergreen trees or shrubs, reaching a height of 2 to 12 m. The leaves of the plant are opposite, dark green, simple, glossy, with jagged edges. The bark of young shoots is greenish-beige. Osmanthus flowers are small, bisexual, collected in paniculate inflorescences. Corollas quadruple, tubular, calyx up to 1 mm long. Stamens fused to the middle of the corolla tube. Depending on the species, the color of the corollas varies from white, cream to golden yellow. Osmanthus flowers are very fragrant, exude a fruity-floral aroma, combined with notes of peach and apricot. The flowering of the plant begins in September-October and lasts almost the entire winter, then the formation of buds stops. Osmanthus blooms in waves: there can be from 2 to 4 such flowering waves per season. The fruit of the plant is a small, hard, elliptical, dark blue or purple drupe, within which one seed develops.

Propagated more often by cuttings. Osmanthus seeds must be stratified before sowing, since their germination period is from 6 to 18 months.

In the genus Osmanthus there are 13 (according to some sources up to 30) species, of which the most popular and used for food and medicinal purposes is Osmanthus fragrant (Osmanthus fragrans).

Spreading

Representatives of the genus Osmanthus are distributed mainly in Southeast and East Asia (from the Japanese Islands to the Himalayas), which is considered their homeland. Also, some species of osmanthus are found in the southeastern regions of North America. Some cultivated species of osmanthus are bred in Russia, namely in the south of the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Territory (Sochi region). In a greenhouse, their breeding is quite possible.

Distribution regions on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

Osmanthus flowers are harvested for medicinal purposes. They are dried under a canopy in the shade, then packed in paper bags. The shelf life of dried raw materials is 2 years. Osmanthus flowers are also processed to make essential oil, which is obtained by extraction.

Chemical composition

The main aroma-forming components of osmanthus are theaspiran and ionone derivatives obtained from the degradation of carotenoids: cis-jasmone, γ-decalactone, various δ-lactones.

The chemical composition of osmanthus essential oil is quite complex. The main components of the oil are beta-ionone, dihydro-beta-ionone, gamma-de-calactone, mixtures of isomers of linalool oxide, cis-jasmone, terpinen-4-ol, phenethyl alcohol, linalool and geraniol.

Osmanthus flowers are rich in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and other trace elements.

Pharmacological properties

Chinese researchers found that the osmanthus flower interferes with the action of the tyrosine enzyme involved in the synthesis of melanin. As a result, osmanthus can be used as a natural hair lightener. In addition, the active substances contained in the plant are excellent antioxidants, remove toxins, radionuclides from the human body.

Application in traditional medicine

Due to its wide range of medicinal and beneficial properties, osmanthus has long been used in Chinese traditional medicine. In addition to the delicious taste and aroma, osmanthus has a wide range of useful and medicinal properties. An effective expectorant is a decoction of the flowers of the plant. Osmanthus lowers cholesterol, cleanses the blood, softens coughs, and is effective for diarrhea, stomatitis, and inflammation of the gums.

A decoction of fragrant osmanthus flowers is an effective remedy for indigestion, colitis, flatulence, gastritis, inflammation of the duodenum. Tea from the petals of the plant cleanses the body of toxins. The active substances of osmanthus stimulate blood flow, metabolic processes in the body, burn fat, which contributes to weight loss, getting rid of excess weight. The use of osmanthus is advisable for some gynecological diseases, menstrual disorders. The plant helps with cystitis, relieves hangover well. Osmanthus - a natural anesthetic, is used for toothache, pain of various localization, relieves bad breath.

Boils and some eye diseases are treated with compresses from a decoction of the bark of a plant. Osmanthus has anti-aging properties, an infusion of petals is used for skin care, hair is rinsed with a decoction.

Black tea with osmanthus is not only a pleasant-tasting and fragrant drink, but also an effective remedy that activates cell metabolism, blood flow, freshens breath, removes toxins, heavy metals, and radioactive elements from the body. The benefits of green tea with osmanthus are significant. The drink tones, invigorates, plays the role of a natural antioxidant, stimulates the renewal of all cells, that is, promotes rejuvenation.

History reference

China is considered to be the birthplace of osmanthus. In imperial China, osmanthus was considered an exquisite incense. Its history goes back over 2000 years. Here, since the 14th century, it has been used to flavor tea along with jasmine.

In Taiwan, osmanthus is a traditional symbol of love, romance, fidelity, and birth. The role of osmanthus in the wedding ceremony is known: the bride must enter her house with a small osmanthus tree grown by her own hands. About 2000 years ago, Avicenna, in his popular book The Canon of Medicine, described the unique properties of osmanthus and the effects of the essential oil from the flowers of the plant.

Many legends tell about the amazing osmanthus plant, whose flowers are a symbol of the traditional Chinese Moon Festival. It is celebrated in September, during this period the fragrant flowering of osmanthus begins. According to ancient legend, fragrant osmanthus "guards the Lunar Palace."

In Europe, osmanthus appeared only in the middle of the 19th century, thanks to the French botanist Jean-Marie Delovay. Osmanthus was used for food purposes - they prepared an aromatic drink with the addition of dried flowers of the plant - tonic green or black tea with osmanthus "gui hua cha". Osmanthus is the national symbol of Hangzhou, China.

Osmanthus got its name from two Greek words "osme" - in translation - "fragrant, fragrant" and "anthos" - meaning "flower". One of the regions of China sounds "Gui Lin", which is translated from Chinese as "fragrant forest".

The expression "gui hua" is translated as "cinnamon flowers", "cinnamon tree flowers" or "cassia flowers". Therefore, there is a common misconception that Osmanthus is related to the Cinnamon tree. In fact, they are completely different plants.

Literature

1. Bayzhanova A. Big book of tea. – M.: Eksmo. - 2015. - 125 p.

2. Zamyatin B. N. 1960. Sem. Olive - Oleaceae // Trees and shrubs of the USSR, volume V. Moscow, Leningrad. "The science". – 584 p.

3. Shlykov G. N. 1936. Introduction of plants. Moscow, Leningrad: Selkhozgiz. - 1986. - 342 p.

4. Petrov V. V. Miracles of our subtropics.: Nauka, 1976. - 152 p.

5. Top 100 fragrances, how to choose and wear perfume /L. Turin, T. Sanchez. – M.: Mann, 2014. – 192 p.

Tea drinking is a special ritual that allows you to enjoy the aroma of a divine drink, relax, unwind, enjoy a friendly conversation over a cup of fragrant tea flavored with herbs and flower petals. One of the generally recognized leaders among fragrant and healthy drinks is osmanthus tea.

Osmanthus is an evergreen shrub with delicate small flowers and dark green glossy leaves. It belongs to the family of olive crops, and China is considered its homeland. The flowers of the plant are painted in a delicate palette - from light olive to cream and golden yellow. The flowering period lasts from September to April, filling the air with fragrance.

Osmanthus flowers have found use all over the world. The inhabitants of the Celestial Empire, being true experts in aromatherapy, appreciate the fragrant shrub for its qualities and have been widely used in many industries for more than two millennia.

Why is the osmanthus flower so attractive?

The main advantage is a unique fruity aroma, delicate, delicate and, at the same time, quite persistent. Connoisseurs describe it as a mixture of the smell of ripe peaches and apricots and sweet fresh pastries. The taste of fragrant osmanthus tea remains in the mouth for a long time after drinking tea.

It is not surprising that such a pleasant aroma is used in perfumery for the production of perfumes. He was given a romantic name - "memories of the Chinese garden." Osmanthus essential oil is the most expensive and valuable among all known. The chemical composition of the flower petals is able to act on the deeper layers of the skin, prolonging its youth and freshness. That is why the Chinese used the fragrant olive in cosmetology since ancient times, and now it is an indispensable component in the production of skin cosmetics all over the world.

Useful properties of shrubs

Fragrant osmanthus (its flowers, stems and roots), due to the huge number of useful qualities, have long been used in traditional medicine of the East:

• Aromatherapy. Tea from dried flowers or infusion has a calming, relaxing effect, helps to get rid of anxiety and anxiety.
• Cough treatment. The medicinal decoction has a powerful expectorant, anti-inflammatory effect, thins and removes sputum when coughing, is effective for whooping cough, indigestion. Helps with inflammation of the gums, stomatitis, boils.
• Powerful antioxidant. It cleanses the body, removes toxic substances, reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol. It has strong antiseptic and anti-sclerotic properties, improves metabolism, promotes weight loss.

Contraindications

Like all medicinal herbs with potent properties, osmanthus has some restrictions on its use. In any form, it is not recommended to use it for pregnant women and nursing mothers, patients with epilepsy, children. It is also contraindicated in case of individual intolerance to the plant, manifestations of allergies and high blood pressure.

How to make osmanthus tea

The Chinese are true connoisseurs of all the intricacies of tea drinking. They are especially reverent about the “tea olive” and know exactly what sorts of tea can be combined with the aroma of fragrant flowers.

An infusion of dried flowers of the plant is called "Gui Hua Cha" in China. It is prepared separately, and then it can be added to black or green tea, or drunk as an independent drink, which has an unusually pleasant, wonderful fruity taste and delicate smell. Its miraculous qualities are manifested in any method of preparation.

Gourmets love to indulge in osmanthus and jasmine petal teas for a surprisingly bright and rich floral aroma combined with the sweet taste of ripe apricot and peach fruit.

Gui Hua Oolong is a blend of golden Osmanthus petals and Oolong, a semi-fermented green tea. Black pu-erh, which the Chinese call red, is also mixed with fragrant olive petals, and a unique, exquisite, fragrant Gui Hua Hong Cha tea is obtained. It is these two varieties of tea that are ideal for blending with osmanthus flower petals.

Golden Gui Hua Oolong has a special tart fruity taste, floral-honey aroma and a sweet aftertaste, perfectly relaxing and soothing. Tea can be consumed cold, its taste only benefits from this. But you need to cool and insist in a tightly sealed container to avoid oxidation and loss of beneficial properties.

It is best to brew Gui Hua Osmanthus in a transparent teapot, following the movement of light petals, color saturation.

1. Preparation of tea by pouring: pour 5-7 g of dry mixture into 100-120 ml of water (90-95 degrees) and infuse for 10-20 seconds. Withstands 7-8 passages.
2. With the European method of brewing: take 3-4 g of tea leaves (1 tsp), pour 200-250 ml of water at 90-95 ° C and leave for 2-3 minutes. Welding is used 1 time.

Red-brown Gui Hua Hong Cha with sweetish-tart notes in taste - tones and invigorates in the morning, and relieves fatigue in the evening.

An exceptionally healthy and exquisitely aromatic tea will deliver true moments of pleasure, cheer up, restore strength, and have a beneficial effect on the entire body.