Chrysanthemum Lotus-Plumule Tea (ju hua lian zi xin cha)

Why people make this tea

Nourilo often brews a simple chrysanthemum tea, which traditionally clears liver-heat, brightens the eyes and supports healthy blood pressure. Here he adds lotus plumule — the little green heart of the lotus seed. It’s a touch bitter, but traditionally it clears heart-fire, settles restlessness and calms the mind, and is associated with easing palpitations and poor sleep that come with high blood pressure. Together they make a clean, cooling cup that’s a gentle ally for those minding their pressure and heart.

Method

1. Put the lotus plumule and chrysanthemum in a pot and rinse once with boiling water.
2. Pour over fresh boiling water and steep, covered, about 5 minutes. Sip; you can re-steep until light.

Nourilo’s Tips

When fresh lotus seeds are in season, pull out the plumules and freeze them in small portions for later use. Dried lotus plumule is available at Chinese herb shops. This tea also suits those with restlessness, poor sleep, a bitter and dry mouth, or irritability — but it is not for a cold, weak spleen and stomach, or for deficiency-type high blood pressure.