For centuries, flowers and herbs have been utilized for their powerful medicinal properties. Botanicals like chamomile, lavender, rose, hibiscus, dandelion, and calendula are just a few examples of florals packed with natural superpowers (1). At Clean Juice, we’re dedicated to promoting wellness, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce our latest creation—a brand-new smoothie launching this Spring on March 19th that is designed to harness the power of flowers!
Introducing… (drum roll please!) “The Relaxation One” – the ultimate spring smoothie designed to promote the feeling of melting away your stress and boosting your well-being! This delicious blend of blueberries, lavender, banana, honey, avocado, almond milk, and collagen is specially crafted with the intent to promote feelings of calmness, mental clarity, and general relaxation.
Lavender, renowned for its calming properties, is more than just a fragrant flower—it’s a powerful herb with a long history of medicinal use. Its active compound, linalool, has been scientifically shown to have a direct calming effect on the central nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety and stress (3). The benefits of lavender don’t stop there—it is also known for having sedative properties and may improve sleep quality.
This smoothie also features ingredients like banana and avocado, both sources of magnesium—a mineral essential for maintaining a balanced nervous system (2). Magnesium has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve mood and sleep. Blueberries are known to support cognitive function, reduce oxidative stress, and elevate mood, while honey provides a natural source of sweetness that supports the body’s stress-response system. Collagen, a structural protein, rounds out this blend, supporting skin elasticity, hair, nails, and gut health (2). Together, these carefully selected ingredients, enhanced by the natural power of lavender, create “The Relaxation One”—a smoothie designed to help you enjoy a moment of peacefulness. You can order our flower power spring smoothie starting March 19th for a limited time in stores or online!
Let’s continue to celebrate flowers this spring, starting with chamomile. Possibly one of the more popular medicinal flowers, in ancient times, the traditional use of chamomile has been used to treat hormone imbalances, insomnia, ulcers, and anxiety (1). Today, the dried leaves of chamomile are often consumed in the form of a tea at bedtime to promote relaxation and a restorative night’s sleep. The active compound in chamomile is apigenin, a flavonoid that interacts with specific receptors in the brain that are associated with sleepiness and is therefore the main component responsible for chamomile’s calming effects (1).
Hibiscus is another admired medicinal flower. These flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, and come in many bright colors such as pink, red, orange, yellow, purple, or peach. Hibiscus tea is made up of the dried hibiscus petals or the calyx of the flowers, the part of the flower that contains the sepals, which are the small, green pieces that protect the flower bud. Both parts contain bioactive and functional components such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, organic acids, and dietary fiber (4). These compounds may promote therapeutic effects such as regulating blood pressure and improving organ health (4). Hibiscus tea has a lovely fruity and naturally sweet flavor!
Calendula flowers grow in Europe, Western Asia, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and have a resemblance to colorful daisies. Through centuries, this botanical has shown outstanding health advantages by utilizing the whole flower including the green base and petals and flower heads. Active compounds in calendulas include flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides resulting in numerous benefits such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-viral and antimicrobial aid. Over the centuries, many cultures and medical systems have used calendula flowers to treat skin conditions by applying topically to wounds. It can also aid in digestion and support the body’s natural detoxification process and overall immune health. Calendula makes a delicate, soothing, and slightly sweet tea with a floral and comforting aroma (5).
Dandelions, the ones that grow through cracks in sidewalks or on the sides of rolling hills with yellow petals or fluffy seed heads, have many medicinal qualities. The leaves, stem, and root contain many phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acid, polysaccharides, sterols, and triterpenes. These properties have shown to be diuretic, hepatoprotective, ant-inflammatory, immunoprotective, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antiobesity, and antioxidant. Dandelion can be consumed as tea or an extract and has a toasty and sweet flavor. You can even buy the leaves in the produce section of the grocery store and cook them just like any other leafy green vegetable (6)
Roses symbolize romance, love, courage, and beauty, so it’s no surprise that the multiple functions seem to outweigh other medicinal flowers. The petals, hips, leaves and bark, can be used for medicinal purposes. Rose has been traditionally used as an herbal medicine for ailments such as stomach aches, pain, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Some say the fragrance of rose through aromatherapy may calm a stressed-out body and mind, improve sleep quality, and promote healing in hormonal imbalances in women causing pain. However, the most popular use today is anti-aging and skin care due to its potent antioxidant content that promotes collagen production, reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, hydrates skin, and maintains elasticity and plumpness, for a glowy appearance (7).
Clean Juice currently has a limited time juice that has Rose as an ingredient on our menu as well! “The Rosey and Bright One” is a delicious and sweet blend of apple, orange, lemon, beet, and rosewater. The fruits in this juice are natural sources of vitamin C. Available now for a limited time!
Flowers have long been admired for their beauty, but their value extends far beyond just aesthetics and symbolism. Packed with powerful phytochemicals, vitamins, and minerals, flowers are natural vessels of wellness and healing (1). At Clean Juice, we celebrate health in all its forms, embracing nature’s gifts to nurture the body and mind. This spring, we invite you to experience the therapeutic benefits of florals with our Lavender “Relaxation One” Smoothie and the vibrant, uplifting “Rosey and Bright One” Juice. Embrace the season and let the power of flowers enhance your well-being in every sip!
Wishing you a great spring!
The Clean Juice Family 😃
Disclaimer: These Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Clean Juice products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner to determine your personal needs.
Sources:
- Coyago-Cruz E, Moya M, Méndez G, Villacís M, Rojas-Silva P, Corell M, Mapelli-Brahm P, Vicario IM, Meléndez-Martínez AJ. Exploring Plants with Flowers: From Therapeutic Nutritional Benefits to Innovative Sustainable Uses. Foods. 2023 Nov 8;12(22):4066. doi: 10.3390/foods12224066. PMID: 38002124; PMCID: PMC10671036.
- Aucoin M, LaChance L, Naidoo U, Remy D, Shekdar T, Sayar N, Cardozo V, Rawana T, Chan I, Cooley K. Diet and Anxiety: A Scoping Review. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 10;13(12):4418. doi: 10.3390/nu13124418. PMID: 34959972; PMCID: PMC8706568.
- Koulivand PH, Khaleghi Ghadiri M, Gorji A. Lavender and the nervous system. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:681304. doi: 10.1155/2013/681304. Epub 2013 Mar 14. PMID: 23573142; PMCID: PMC3612440.
- Montalvo-González E, Villagrán Z, González-Torres S, Iñiguez-Muñoz LE, Isiordia-Espinoza MA, Ruvalcaba-Gómez JM, Arteaga-Garibay RI, Acosta JL, González-Silva N, Anaya-Esparza LM. Physiological Effects and Human Health Benefits of Hibiscus sabdariffa: A Review of Clinical Trials. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022 Apr 12;15(4):464. doi: 10.3390/ph15040464. PMID: 35455462; PMCID: PMC9033014.
- Shahane K, Kshirsagar M, Tambe S, Jain D, Rout S, Ferreira MKM, Mali S, Amin P, Srivastav PP, Cruz J, Lima RR. An Updated Review on the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Calendula officinalis L. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Apr 18;16(4):611. doi: 10.3390/ph16040611. PMID: 37111369; PMCID: PMC10142266.
- Di Napoli, A., Zucchetti, P. A comprehensive review of the benefits of Taraxacum officinale on human health. Bull Natl Res Cent 45, 110 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-021-00567-1
- Wang H. Beneficial medicinal effects and material applications of rose. Heliyon. 2023 Dec 10;10(1):e23530. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23530. PMID: 38169957; PMCID: PMC10758878