Herbal & Flower Teas
Snow Chrysanthemum and Stevia Leaf Tea
traditionally associated with eye comfort, antioxidant support, and healthy metabolic balance
Why people make this tea
If you spend long hours staring at a screen, or you are keeping an eye on your blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol, this gentle tea is worth knowing about. Snow chrysanthemum from the Kunlun mountains has a naturally rich, honey-like fragrance and brews into a beautiful amber cup. Paired with a few leaves of stevia — a plant that contributes natural sweetness without sugar — the combination creates a warming, pleasant daily brew that you are happy to keep in rotation. Bro Niu designed this blend for exactly these purposes: something you can drink long-term and actually enjoy.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited to people with elevated blood sugar, blood pressure, or cholesterol, and those who work long hours at a screen with tired, dry eyes
- Fine for long-term, daily use in healthy adults
- Stevia is a naturally sweet herb; those managing blood sugar levels may find it a useful substitute for sugar in other drinks as well
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Snow chrysanthemum (kun lun xue ju): A high-altitude variety of chrysanthemum that is traditionally prized for clearing liver heat, nourishing the eyes, and its antioxidant character. The real high-altitude variety brews to a rich amber with a gentle honey fragrance; lower-grade flat-grown varieties brew paler and taste slightly sharp or acidic.
- Stevia leaves (tian ju ye): Naturally intensely sweet with zero sugar content. Traditionally mild and neutral in nature; a sensible substitute for sugar in teas and suitable for people watching their glucose levels.
Ingredients (1 teapot / 2–3 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kunlun snow chrysanthemum | 5–6 g | — |
| Stevia leaves | 3–4 leaves | — |
Method
- Place both ingredients in a tea filter bag and put it in a teapot or cup.
- Rinse once briefly with boiling water, then discard this first rinse.
- Pour in fresh boiling water and steep for 5 minutes.
- Sip and enjoy. You may top up with hot water and steep again until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
When buying snow chrysanthemum, look for the high-altitude Kunlun variety: the dried flowers should have a gentle medicinal fragrance, and when brewed the tea should turn a clear amber colour with a sweet, mellow taste. If the brewed colour is pale and the flavour is sharp or smoky, it is likely a flat-grown variety of lesser quality. Both snow chrysanthemum and stevia are available at herbal tea shops; stevia is often sold cheaply in large pouches. This tea can be paired with any chrysanthemum variety, with burdock, or with a rose bud for added variety — all are compatible.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Cheri): Where can stevia leaves be bought? If a person does not have the three-highs but just works long hours at a computer, can they drink this tea long-term? How does it pair with gong ju, jin ju, or pearl chrysanthemum? Bro Niu: Stevia is available at herbal tea shops and Asian grocers, and is generally inexpensive. This tea is perfectly fine to drink long-term even without the three-highs; it is very helpful for people who use their eyes intensively. It pairs well with any chrysanthemum variety.
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Q (cat): My husband was just diagnosed with high blood pressure. What food therapy can help him? Does it have to be snow chrysanthemum, or can ordinary chrysanthemum be used? Bro Niu: Try combining hawthorn berries (shan zha), dry-roasted cassia seeds (chao jue ming zi), and chrysanthemum (any variety, including snow chrysanthemum). Dry-roast the cassia seeds for about 7 minutes to help release their flavour. Put all three in a tea bag and steep daily; continue for one month to see if blood pressure improves. This blend is neither heating nor cooling.
Published September 23, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
