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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
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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!
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Bougainvillea tea
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
- Cinnamon Stick
- Ginger root
- Tumeric roost
- Oregano leaves
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!
Please do! You will love this tea!
I find Bougainvillea plants so stunning and wow,it has medicinal purpose too?. Thanks for sharing.
It really has. Hope you try it!
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!
You will love this tea! It’s amazing.
This sounds really helpful! I’ve had a bit of a cough from my allergies and sinuses lately, so it’s worth a shot.
Totally worth it! Hope you try it!
Hi it’s Bre from RubyHemMinistries.com I love traditional remedies so this was really interesting for me.
Glad you enjoyed this Bre!
Is it the colorful leaves of the bougainvillea – or the green leaves for making the tea ?
The colorful leaves.
Thanks for sharing this recipe. I can’t wait to give it a try.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe. Hope you try it!
This tea looks delicious. i am always up for trying a new drink!
Hope you try ti! Delicious indeed.
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.
Then you”ll love this recipe! Hope you try it!
How much times a day can I drink it please
I wouldn’t drink it more than once a day.
Is the green leaf used or red flower?
It’s red flower.
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
Sorry. I meant to say the leaves. Not the stem. Just the pink, purple leaves.