Tonic Drinks & Waters
Butterfly Pea Flower Lemon-Honey Water
Traditionally enjoyed to support a glowing complexion and the eyes
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu’s daughter gave him a packet of butterfly pea flowers, and he was charmed by the colour show: thanks to their high anthocyanin content, the brewed flowers turn a deep blue-violet, shift to red when you add fresh lemon juice, and back to purple with honey — the longer it steeps, the more brilliant the hue. Beyond the fun, this tea is traditionally enjoyed to support the complexion, the hair and the eyes.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone who wants a pretty, light, fragrant tea for the skin, hair and eyes — taken occasionally for pleasure.
- Pregnant women and people with low blood sugar should avoid it. Because the seeds of the plant contain toxins, do not drink this tea long-term.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Butterfly pea flower (die dou hua): rich in anthocyanins; traditionally enjoyed to support the complexion, hair and eyes.
- Fresh lemon juice (xian ning zhi): adds vitamin C and turns the brew a lovely red.
- Honey (mi tang): rounds out the flavour and brings back a purple tone.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly pea flowers | ~½ tablespoon | Dried |
| Fresh lemon juice | to taste | |
| Honey | to taste |
Method
- Put the butterfly pea flowers, fresh lemon juice and honey in a pot.
- Pour in warm water at about 50–60°C.
- Steep for about 5 minutes, then drink.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is very fragrant and pretty, but do not brew it with very hot water or you will lose the beneficial anthocyanins. Pregnant women and those with low blood sugar should not drink it, and because the seeds contain toxins it is for occasional enjoyment only.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Wai): I’ve heard club moss (shen jin cao) can ease the sinews, rheumatism and foot pain — is that true? Who shouldn’t drink it? Bro Niu: Club moss works well for easing sinew and bone complaints and is fine for most people. You can pair it with mulberry mistletoe and cyathula root for rheumatic bone pain and foot pain — use about 19 g mulberry mistletoe and 11 g cyathula root.
- Q (Carmen): My bedridden mother (tube-fed after a stroke) has lots of phlegm; the doctor found no pneumonia. Could the winter-melon, barley and cowpea soup I made have been too cooling and caused phlegm? Bro Niu: The winter-melon soup won’t cause phlegm. You can use pinellia, poria and atractylodes (about 11 g each) with 2 pieces of tangerine peel, simmered from 5 bowls of water down to 2, for her to clear phlegm — 3 doses, and if it helps, rest 3 days then 3 more. For excess eye discharge, a powder of American ginseng and dendrobium, or a chrysanthemum-goji tea, can support clear eyes.
Published August 22, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
