Gambir Vine, Chrysanthemum and Hawthorn Tea

Why people make this tea

Gambir vine (gou teng) has drawn research interest for its traditional roles — it is studied for calming, vessel-relaxing and pressure-related effects. Brewed with chrysanthemum and hawthorn into a tea, it is traditionally used to “calm the liver and settle wind,” and is a pleasant everyday brew for older adults wanting to support healthy blood pressure.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Older adults and others wanting gentle blood-pressure support
• Especially suited to a warmer constitution; if you run cold, add a few red dates
• If you take blood-pressure drugs, you may still drink it, but watch your readings and stop if pressure goes too low
• If you take prescription medicines (e.g. for seizures), space the tea about 2 hours apart from them

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Gambir vine (gou teng): traditionally used to calm the liver and settle “wind”; studied for vessel-relaxing and calming effects.
• Chrysanthemum (ju hua): traditionally clears heat and brightens the eyes, easing dizziness from “liver-yang rising.”
• Hawthorn (shan zha): traditionally supports digestion and healthy blood lipids.

Ingredients (2–3 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Gambir vine	~7.5 g	Rinsed
Chrysanthemum	~7.5 g	Rinsed
Hawthorn	~11 g	Rinsed
Rock sugar	to taste

Method

1. Rinse the herbs.
2. Simmer in 3 bowls of water for about 20 minutes.
3. Stir in rock sugar until dissolved, then serve.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is not strongly medicinal in taste and is traditionally regarded as helpful for high blood pressure with dizziness of the “liver-yang rising” type, so it can be sipped regularly. To prevent high blood pressure, this batch can be topped up with hot water and drawn to a lighter brew — about 2 to 3 cups.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (mei): I already take Western blood-pressure medicine — can I drink this? Bro Niu: This tea is fairly mild, so you can drink it even on medication — but keep an eye on your blood pressure, and stop if it drops too low.

• Q (emma): Can this be drunk every day, and how much? Bro Niu: If you’re using it to help prevent high blood pressure or age-related decline, daily is fine. This amount can be steeped lighter to about 2 to 3 cups.

• Q (kanas): Where do I buy gambir vine, and does it suit a cold or hot constitution? Bro Niu: It’s sold at Chinese-medicine shops and suits a warmer constitution better. If you tend to run cold, add a few red dates when you steep it.

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Published August 10, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.