Herbal & Flower Teas
Eucommia Leaf Tea
traditionally associated with lowering blood lipids and cholesterol, supporting blood pressure, and promoting digestive regularity
Why people make this tea
Eucommia bark (du zhong) is one of the most well-known herbs in Chinese medicine, prized for its ability to strengthen the liver and kidneys, support the bones and tendons, and calm the reproductive system. What is less well known in the West is that the leaves of the same tree — eucommia leaves — have their own distinct and valuable properties. When brewed as a tea, eucommia leaves are associated with a different set of benefits: reducing blood fats and cholesterol, supporting healthy blood pressure, and promoting better gut function.
The leaf contains compounds including aucubin and polysaccharides that, according to both traditional practice and some modern research, may help protect the intestinal wall, promote peristalsis to address constipation, regulate blood sugar, enhance circulation, and gradually improve the elasticity of blood vessels. This makes it a particularly interesting tea for middle-aged and older adults looking for a simple daily habit to support metabolic and cardiovascular wellness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults, including those with a cold constitution and pregnant women — eucommia leaves are warming, which makes them more broadly accessible than many cooling teas.
- Particularly recommended for people with high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, or blood sugar management concerns.
- Also supportive for those with constipation or sluggish digestion.
- Regular consumption is associated in traditional practice with supporting healthy aging and cognitive vitality.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Eucommia leaves (du zhong ye): Warming in nature; associated with reducing blood lipids and cholesterol; supporting the kidneys and liver; protecting the intestinal wall and promoting regular bowel movements; and supporting the elasticity of blood vessels. The leaves contain aucubin and various polysaccharides that modern research has connected to lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties.
A note on sourcing: There are two forms of eucommia leaf available — the young tender leaves sold as a herbal tea (recommended for this recipe), and the coarser whole-branch leaves which are better suited to cooking in soups or decoctions. When purchasing, specify the tender leaf tea variety. Eucommia leaves are available at Chinese herb shops, Asian grocers, and online.
Ingredients (1–2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Eucommia leaves (du zhong ye) | 1 tablespoon | Tender-leaf tea variety; not the coarse branch variety |
Method
- Place the eucommia leaves in a teapot or infuser.
- Pour a small amount of boiling water over them and immediately drain — this rinse opens the leaves and removes any dust.
- Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot.
- Cover and steep for 7–8 minutes.
- Pour and drink. Continue re-infusing with fresh boiling water until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
Eucommia leaf tea is warming in nature, which means it is gentle enough for people who tend toward cold constitutions — and pregnant women may also drink it. For middle-aged and older adults, regular consumption is associated in traditional practice with supporting cognitive sharpness and helping to slow the accumulation of arterial stiffness. If you have haemorrhoids alongside high cholesterol, try adding 2–3 slices of dried fig to the pot when steeping — the fig helps soothe the digestive tract.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (May May): I have been told my total cholesterol and LDL are seriously elevated. I buy soup bags with dried abalone or spiral shell (luo han) to save time — are those ingredients safe for someone with high cholesterol? Bro Niu: Dried abalone and dried spiral shell are yin-nourishing kidney tonics — moderate consumption is fine for someone with high cholesterol. What to eat less of is squid and cuttlefish. For cholesterol specifically, fresh-blending a mix of sweet green pepper, apple, and celery as a daily juice can also be helpful.
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Q (Amber): I have high cholesterol but also haemorrhoids — will the warming nature of eucommia leaf make the haemorrhoids worse? Bro Niu: Add 2–3 sliced dried figs to the eucommia leaf tea when steeping. The figs are gentle on the digestive tract and will balance things out.
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Q (Venice): Where can I buy eucommia leaves, and how do I choose a good product? Bro Niu: Eucommia leaves are available at Chinese herb shops, Asian grocers, and online. Ask specifically for the tender young leaves sold for tea use — there is also a coarser variety sold with branches attached, which is suitable for decoctions but not for this style of brewing.
Published May 12, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
