Herbal & Flower Teas
Apple, Chrysanthemum Flower & Fig Tea (Ping Guo Ju Hua Tang)
traditionally clears heat and supports skin clarity; nourishes and brightens
Why people make this tea
Autumn air tends to be dry, and dry weather can aggravate the skin — especially for people who are already prone to breakouts. Bro Niu recommends adding extra moistening soups and teas to the family routine as the seasons change: things like papaya with snow fungus, jade bamboo with lily bulb, and this simpler option — apple, chrysanthemum, and fig. It needs only 45 minutes, produces a fragrant, clear-sweet drink, and works for almost any constitution. Chrysanthemum flowers are one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese food therapy for clearing “heat” from the liver and eyes; apple and figs add natural sweetness and a gentle moistening quality. This tea is particularly popular with young people who break out around the face.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone looking for a gentle, everyday skin-supportive tea — particularly young people prone to acne
- Suitable for all constitutions, including pregnant women (chrysanthemum tea is safe in pregnancy — Bro Niu confirmed this)
- Can be consumed during menstruation — no contraindications
- Those with a cold constitution who dislike cooling foods can still use this tea; it is mild and balanced
- To make it more nourishing: add lean pork and simmer as a savoury soup instead of a sweet tea
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Apple (ping guo): Naturally sweet and gently moistening. In Chinese food therapy, apples are associated with producing fluids, clearing mild heat, and supporting healthy digestion. Use ripe, red-fleshed varieties (Fuji is ideal) — unripe or green-flesh apples will turn the tea sour.
- Chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua): Among the most widely used herbs for “clearing liver heat” in Chinese food therapy. Associated with supporting clear vision, reducing eye fatigue, and easing skin heat or redness. Both gong ju (palace chrysanthemum) and hang ju (Hangzhou chrysanthemum) work for this recipe — they are added at the end as they only need a few minutes.
- Honey dates (mi zao): Naturally sweet and moistening, with a gentle spleen-nourishing quality. They add body and sweetness to the tea without refined sugar.
- Dried figs (wu hua guo): Traditionally associated with clearing lung heat, supporting digestion, and moistening the skin. A gentle, versatile ingredient that pairs well with apple.
Ingredients (4 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Red apples (Fuji recommended) | 3 medium | Wash, remove core, cut into chunks; no need to peel |
| Chrysanthemum flowers (gong ju or hang ju) | ~12 g (4 qian) | Rinse; add toward the end |
| Honey dates (mi zao) | 5 pieces | Rinse |
| Dried figs | 4 pieces | Rinse; halve |
| Water | 6 bowls |
Method
- Wash the apples, remove the cores, and cut into large chunks. No need to peel.
- Rinse the honey dates and figs.
- Place the apple chunks, honey dates, and figs in a soup pot. Add 6 bowls of water and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes.
- Rinse the chrysanthemum flowers briefly. Add them to the pot and simmer for a further 5 minutes — no longer, as chrysanthemum loses its flavour with extended cooking.
- The tea is ready. Drink warm or at room temperature. Can be served sweet or savoury (with pork added).
Bro Niu’s tips
Use ripe, red-fleshed apples — Fuji apples work best. Under-ripe or very tart apples (especially green-fleshed varieties) will turn this tea unpleasantly sour, which can be disappointing. The honey dates and figs provide natural sweetness so no additional sugar is needed. If you want to serve this as a family soup, add lean pork and it becomes a savoury, nourishing dish for all ages. The finished tea can be stored overnight (remove the solids first) and consumed the next day.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Man): Can I use fresh or dried figs? I have very small dried figs — how many should I use? Bro Niu: Dried figs are fine to use. If they are very small, use about 6 pieces instead of 4.
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Q (bergyice): Can I drink this tea during my period? Bro Niu: Yes, this tea is fine to drink during menstruation.
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Q (小宝, pregnant 38 weeks): Can I drink this tea in late pregnancy? I want to help clear excess heat before birth. Bro Niu: This apple-chrysanthemum-fig tea is fine to drink during pregnancy. For clearing “fetal heat” before birth, black sesame paste (made from pure black sesame powder with minimal sugar) is also a good option — three times a week — which benefits both mother and baby’s skin.
Published October 8, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
