Purple-Backed Gynura & Hawthorn Tea

Why people make this tea

I first bought some purple-backed gynura in Tai O and simmered it into a sweet drink to chill — wonderfully tasty and refreshing. Later I bought some from a herb shop, but it never tasted quite as good (it had probably picked up the smell of the other herbs in the drawers). Purple-backed gynura is a classic for clearing summer heat and quenching thirst, and paired with hawthorn it helps cut grease and ease that heavy, stuffed feeling after rich, fatty meals — a friendly drink for people watching blood lipids, blood pressure and cholesterol.