Herbal & Flower Teas
Hawthorn, Cassia Bark and Brown Sugar Tea
Traditionally warms a cold stomach and eases chilly cramping pain
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu often sees folks who started out with a touch of stomach heat, leaned on cold and icy foods and drinks for relief, and over time turned the whole thing cold and weak instead — now they get a chilly, achy, bloated belly, no thirst, poor appetite and sluggish bowels. For that pattern, he reaches for warming, cold-dispelling ingredients. This little tea is a favorite of his for exactly that.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with a cold, achy stomach and bloating who feel better with warmth
- Also traditionally suited to women whose period cramps come from a cold uterus
- Not suitable if you have signs of heat (for example swollen, painful gums) — in that case skip it
- Cassia bark is warming and strong; use only about 2 g at a time
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Hawthorn (shan zha): warm in nature; traditionally aids digestion and helps move stuck food
- Cassia bark (gui pi): very warming; traditionally warms the middle and disperses cold, and eases cold-type pain
- Brown sugar (hong tang): traditionally helps move the blood and disperse stagnation; better here than rock sugar
Ingredients (about 3 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinsed |
| Cassia bark | ~7.5 g (2 qian) | Rinsed |
| Brown sugar | to taste | Stirred in at the end |
Method
- Rinse the hawthorn and cassia bark.
- Simmer in 5 bowls of water for about half an hour, down to about 3 bowls.
- Stir in brown sugar until dissolved, then drink.
Bro Niu’s tips
This is also suitable for women with cold-uterus period cramps, and may be taken regularly. If you only have cassia (cinnamon) powder, it warms and disperses cold the same way, but it is warming, so use at most about 2 g per cup (a level teaspoon is about 5 g). You can adjust the water to make just 1–2 cups if you prefer it stronger.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Bobby): I have cinnamon powder — can I use it, and how much? Can this be taken for post-period care? Bro Niu: Cassia/cinnamon powder warms and dispels cold and warms the uterus, but it is a warming item, so use at most about 2 g each time (a level teaspoon is roughly 5 g).
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Q (cc): Can I use rock sugar instead of brown sugar? Bro Niu: Brown sugar is traditionally better here because it helps disperse stagnation, but rock sugar is fine if that’s what you have. Unrefined cane sugar works too.
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Q (Pinky): My gut has always been cold and weak, but lately my gums are swollen and sore. Can I still drink this? Bro Niu: Swollen gums may be a sign of deficient heat, so this tea isn’t suitable just now. A century-egg-and-salted-egg lean pork congee can help cool that gentle heat; add a slice of dried tangerine peel so it isn’t too cooling. If it’s gum disease, please see a dentist.
Published March 1, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
