Hawthorn and Jiaogulan Tea

Why people make this tea

Fatty liver disease is surprisingly common — and Nourilo points out that it is not only a condition affecting people who are overweight or who drink heavily. Rapid weight loss, fasting, nutritional deficiency, and chronic fatigue can all contribute. The reassuring news is that early-stage fatty liver is generally reversible with dietary changes. This simple daily tea is designed for mild cases or as general metabolic support. Jiaogulan — sometimes called the “herb of immortality” in southern China — contains saponins and organic acids that laboratory studies have associated with promoting liver cell regeneration and reducing certain liver enzymes (transaminases). Hawthorn berries bring a complementary function: they are widely used in Chinese cuisine and food therapy for supporting digestion, dispersing stagnation, and helping to manage blood pressure and cholesterol. Together they make a tart, pleasant, easy-to-drink daily tea.

Method

1. Place both ingredients into a teapot or lidded mug.
2. Rinse once with boiling water and discard the rinse water.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water, cover, and steep for 15 minutes.
4. Pour and drink. Re-steep with fresh boiling water until the flavour becomes too faint.

Nourilo’s Tips

Jiaogulan goes by several names — you may see it labelled as jiao gu lan, jin sang zi, or Southern ginseng. Look for it at larger Chinese medicine and herb shops. If you have a cooler constitution or tend to feel cold, add a strip of dried tangerine peel and 2–3 red dates when steeping — this tempers the slightly cooling nature of jiaogulan and improves the flavour. This is an easy, low-maintenance daily tea, ideal for people who want simple liver and metabolic support without complicated preparation.