Herbal & Flower Teas

Hawthorn and Jiaogulan Tea

traditionally associated with supporting liver health and managing mild fatty liver

In short: Hawthorn and Jiaogulan Tea is a herbal & flower tea that traditionally associated with supporting liver health and managing mild fatty liver. It is most often made for liver wellness. Total time about 20 min. Key ingredients: hawthorn, boiling water.

Prep
5 min
Cook
15 min
Total
20 min
Makes
1–2 cups
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.

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.

  • Hawthorn · Randomized controlled trial, 41 participants · 2025
    Skin hydration scores improved more with hawthorn fruit than with placebo (p<0.05). Changes in other skin phenotypes and leukocyte telomere length were similar between groups. Genotype-specific effects were reported.Limitation: Small trial in which 36 completed follow-up; the genotype subgroup analyses are based on very few participants and are exploratory.PubMed 40573097 · 2 more hawthorn studies

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.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • Hawthorn: Can cause dizziness, nausea or digestive upset, and may interact with heart medicines. Little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Hawthorn

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

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