Nourilo

Herbal & Flower Teas

Cicada Shell Chrysanthemum Tea

Traditionally supports relief from eye itchiness and wind-heat irritation

In short: Cicada Shell Chrysanthemum Tea is a herbal & flower tea that Traditionally supports relief from eye itchiness and wind-heat irritation. It is most often made for eye wellness. Total time about 30 min. Key ingredients: chrysanthemum.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
5 min
Cook
25 min
Total
30 min
Makes
1–2 cups
Eye Wellness
Cicada Shell Chrysanthemum Tea

Why people make this tea

When eyes feel perpetually itchy, gritty, or irritated — especially in windy or allergy-prone seasons — many Hong Kong families reach for this simple two-herb brew. Cicada slough (the shed shell of the cicada insect) has a long history in Chinese herbal medicine and is considered safe and gentle, even for young children. Paired with fragrant chrysanthemum flowers, it makes a refreshing tea that gently supports the eyes and throat when wind-heat symptoms appear.

Method

  1. Rinse the cicada slough thoroughly under running water.
  2. Add 2–3 cups of water to a small pot and bring to a boil with the cicada slough.
  3. Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for about 20 minutes.
  4. Add the chrysanthemum flowers and continue to simmer for a further 5 minutes.
  5. Strain and serve warm. A small amount of honey may be added for sweetness (not for infants under 18 months).

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is gentle enough for young children. Beyond itchy eyes, it has traditionally been used for children who are restless at night or prone to skin hives from wind-type irritation. If you cannot source cicada slough, a substitute tea of mulberry leaf (sang ye) and chrysanthemum flowers is a reasonable alternative — Nourilo recommends 10 g each, simmered for 10 minutes.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • Chrysanthemum · Randomized controlled trial, 37 participants · 2023
    Compared with the high-fat meal alone, the extract group had lower postprandial glucose at 1 hour and higher antioxidant markers (T-AOC, SOD, GSH), with lower MDA. Incremental area under the curve did not differ significantly between groups.Limitation: Small sample of healthy young adults given a single high-fat meal, so longer-term effects and effects in people with metabolic conditions are unknown.PubMed 36677639 · 1 more chrysanthemum study

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

Spot an error? Report a correction

Frequently asked questions

What is cicada slough, and why is it used in this tea?

Cicada slough is the shed shell of the cicada insect. It has a long history in Chinese herbal medicine and is traditionally used in Chinese food therapy to address wind-heat patterns commonly associated with itchy or irritated eyes and throat. It is considered safe and gentle, even for young children.

Is this tea safe for children?

Yes, the tea is described as gentle enough for young children. Beyond itchy eyes, it has traditionally been used for children who are restless at night or prone to skin hives from wind-type irritation. Note that if honey is added for sweetness, it should not be given to infants under 18 months.

How long does this tea take to prepare, and how much does it make?

The total preparation and cooking time is about 30 minutes — roughly 5 minutes of preparation and 25 minutes of simmering. The recipe yields 1 to 2 cups.

What can I use if I cannot find cicada slough?

If cicada slough is not available, a reasonable alternative is a tea made with mulberry leaf (sang ye) and chrysanthemum flowers — 10 g each, simmered for 10 minutes.

When is this tea traditionally enjoyed?

Many Hong Kong families reach for this brew when eyes feel perpetually itchy, gritty, or irritated, especially in windy or allergy-prone seasons, as it is traditionally used to gently support the eyes and throat when wind-heat symptoms appear.

You might also like

Related recipes

More herbal & flower teas →

Comments

Loading comments…