Can sun-dried gardenia flowers be steeped and consumed as tea?

In general, dried gardenia flowers prepared at home can be used to make tea, but should be consumed in moderation. The details are as follows:

Gardenia flower is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a bitter taste and cold nature, affecting the lung and liver meridians. It has effects of clearing heat and reducing fire toxicity, promoting diuresis to remove dampness, cooling the blood, and stopping bleeding. Gardenia flowers that have been properly sun-dried without mold or spoilage can safely be used for brewing tea. Doing so may help soothe the liver, relieve depression, clear internal heat, alleviate irritability, and promote metabolism.

When drying gardenia flowers at home, avoid wrapping them in plastic bags, as plastic restricts moisture evaporation and increases the risk of mold. It is recommended to hang the flowers individually to dry. If tied into small bundles, the petals may become crushed due to pressure, which could negatively affect the taste when brewed as tea.

It is important to note that gardenia flowers are bitter and cold in nature. Excessive consumption may impair the spleen and stomach with coldness, leading to adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, gardenia flowers have strong astringent properties that may induce uterine contractions. Therefore, individuals with gastritis, gastric ulcers, pregnant women, and women during their menstrual period are advised not to drink gardenia flower tea.