• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Mamá Maggie's Kitchen
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Breakfast
    • Chicken
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Vegetarian
    • Healthy
    • Mexican
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Learn
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • Courses
    • Tamales
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Cookbooks
  • Courses
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Cookbooks
    • Courses
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Healthy » Bougainvillea tea (or Té de Bugambilia)

    Bougainvillea tea (or Té de Bugambilia)

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted October 20, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Bougainvillea tea (or Té de Bugambilia) is a comforting and delicious drink. It’s a great way to calm a nasty cough and soothe a sore throat.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A white cup with Bougainvillea tea next to a wool scarf and a computer.

    A white cup with Bougainvillea tea next to a wool scarf and a computer.

    Bougainvillea tea (or te de bugambilia) – My mother has an herbal remedy for just about everything.

    She lived in a rural town in Durango, Mexico for many years. No tv. No schools. No doctors.

    For a serious cough and phlegm, this is what she would make for us. It works WONDERS! Hard to believe, but true.

    Other Mexican remedies:

    Mexican Chicken Soup
    Oregano Tea

    A pink bougainvillea tree in the sunlight.

    Living in Southern California, you see bougainvillea bushes and vines everywhere. They’re thorny and usually deep pink, or magenta, in color. You might also see them in purple, yellow, or white.

    Pink, though, is the most common. The flowers don’t really smell like anything.

    They are native to South America and Brazil. Thank you to whomever introduced them to other countries.

    They are absolutely beautiful and brighten up just about any garden.

    Water pouring into a strainer with bougainvillea leaves inside.

    How to Make It

    • Rinse the leaves well.
    • They can collect dust and insects.

    Use cold water when rinsing. Only the leaves will be used. Remove any stems.

    You only need a handful to make this tea. Careful with the THORNS when picking the leaves.

    This tea is a great way to reap the benefits of this popular plant.

    Other Bougainvillea Medicinal Properties:


    Bougainvillea is not only said to help with a cough, sore throat, and bronchitis. It can also help flu, fever, diarrhea, diabetes, and hepatitis.

    A metal stock pot with water inside.

    • Boil water.

    To make Bougainvillea tea:
    Average 6 bougainvillea flowers for every 1 cup of water.

    The taste of the tea is mild. Slightly floral.

    When you add honey or sugar, it will be sweet and yummy to drink.

    A stock pot with water and bougainvillea leaves.

    • Add the flowers.
    • Let steep for 10 minutes.

    Some people will add other ingredients.

    Other things you can add:

    • Cinnamon Stick
    • Ginger root
    • Tumeric roost
    • Oregano leaves

    All of these are great additions for fighting against the flu.

    How To Do It: Add one or all of the above to water. Bring to a boil. Turn heat off. Then add the bougainvillea leaves to steep for 10 minutes.

    A spoon with honey over a white cup.

    • Add honey.

    Honey is for two reasons. 1) It acts as a sweetener. 2) Medicinal properties.

    Honey has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It is also known to help with cough and fighting infections.

    For a calorie-free drink, use a sugar substitute like Splenda.

    A white cup with Bougainvillea tea inside and a spoon.

    This tea is non-alcoholic, zero caffeine, and 100% calorie-free until you add honey.

    A warm cup of this comforting and relaxing drink is a great way to calm a cough and feel better in no time!

    Note: Please remember that I am not a doctor. Consult a doctor if you have concerns about Bougainvillea tea.

    Hungry for More?

    Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube for my latest recipes and videos.

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    A white cup with Bougainvillea tea next to a wool scarf and a computer.

    Bougainvillea tea

    Bougainvillea tea (or Té de Bugambilia) is a comforting and delicious drink. It’s a great way to calm a nasty cough and soothe a sore throat.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drink
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Total Time: 14 minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 16kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 6 bougainvillea leaves (no stems)
    • 1 cup water

    Instructions

    • Add water to a stock pot.
    • Bring water to a boil.
    • In the meantime, rinse the leaves.
    • Add the leaves to the boiling water.
    • Turn heat off.
    • Steep for 10 minutes.
    • Serve with honey and enjoy.

    Notes

    Other things you can add:
    • Cinnamon Stick
    • Ginger root
    • Tumeric roost
    • Oregano leaves
    Add one or all of the above to water. Bring to a boil. Turn heat off. Then add the bougainvillea leaves to steep for 10 minutes.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 102IU | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Healthy

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brandy Ellen Writes

      October 20, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      5 stars
      I am a huge fan of trying new herbal like teas, and this the first time I’ve heard of this kind of tea. I’m going to have to give it a try asap!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 21, 2020 at 3:27 pm

        Please do! You will love this tea!

        Reply
    2. Nikki Wayne

      October 21, 2020 at 12:32 am

      5 stars
      I find Bougainvillea plants so stunning and wow,it has medicinal purpose too?. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 21, 2020 at 3:27 pm

        It really has. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    3. Catalina

      October 21, 2020 at 2:06 am

      5 stars
      I love tea. I have many times tea during the day! When I don’t feel great I am looking for drink to feel better, and next time I will try this bougainvillea tea!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 21, 2020 at 3:27 pm

        You will love this tea! It’s amazing.

        Reply
    4. Jennifer

      October 21, 2020 at 4:33 am

      This sounds really helpful! I’ve had a bit of a cough from my allergies and sinuses lately, so it’s worth a shot.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 21, 2020 at 3:25 pm

        Totally worth it! Hope you try it!

        Reply
    5. Bre H

      October 21, 2020 at 5:59 am

      Hi it’s Bre from RubyHemMinistries.com I love traditional remedies so this was really interesting for me.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 21, 2020 at 3:25 pm

        Glad you enjoyed this Bre!

        Reply
      • Steve

        December 18, 2022 at 10:34 am

        Is it the colorful leaves of the bougainvillea – or the green leaves for making the tea ?

        Reply
        • Maggie Unzueta

          December 20, 2022 at 8:27 am

          The colorful leaves.

    6. Tasheena

      October 21, 2020 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for sharing this recipe. I can’t wait to give it a try.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 21, 2020 at 3:19 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this recipe. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    7. Kita Bryant

      October 22, 2020 at 5:36 pm

      5 stars
      This tea looks delicious. i am always up for trying a new drink!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 26, 2020 at 4:35 pm

        Hope you try ti! Delicious indeed.

        Reply
    8. Tirralan

      October 23, 2020 at 7:20 am

      I’ve definitely been drinking a lot more herbal teas lately and this is one to add to the list. Seems to soothing and calming.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        October 26, 2020 at 4:35 pm

        Then you”ll love this recipe! Hope you try it!

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        April 10, 2021 at 5:20 am

        How much times a day can I drink it please

        Reply
        • Maggie Unzueta

          May 3, 2021 at 11:14 am

          I wouldn’t drink it more than once a day.

    9. Olga

      July 19, 2021 at 10:08 am

      Is the green leaf used or red flower?

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 19, 2021 at 2:18 pm

        It’s red flower.

        Reply
    10. Xanda

      November 25, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      I’m very confused. You say only use the leaves then you say flowers. Your photos show flowers then your recipe says leaves again. Please help clear up my confusion. Thank you

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        November 28, 2022 at 7:17 am

        Sorry. I meant to say the leaves. Not the stem. Just the pink, purple leaves.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Maggie
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • PR/ Advertise
    • Email maggie @ mamamaggieskitchen.com