Nourilo

Herbal & Flower Teas

Hawthorn Cassia Chrysanthemum Lotus Leaf Tea

traditionally used to support liver health, manage weight, and assist with high cholesterol and blood-sugar balance

In short: Hawthorn Cassia Chrysanthemum Lotus Leaf Tea is a herbal & flower tea that traditionally used to support liver health, manage weight, and assist with high cholesterol and blood-sugar balance. It is most often made for weight & metabolism, heart & circulation, liver wellness. Total time about 15 min. Key ingredients: hawthorn, chrysanthemum.

By · Published under our editorial policy · Research library

Prep
5 min
Cook
10 min
Total
15 min
Makes
1 pot
Weight & MetabolismHeart & CirculationLiver WellnessEveryday Balance
Hawthorn Cassia Chrysanthemum Lotus Leaf Tea

Why people make this tea

Fatty liver has become one of the most common liver conditions in modern life. The non-alcoholic form is closely linked to excess weight, diabetes, and metabolic imbalances; research suggests roughly one in three middle-aged adults may have some degree of it. It often goes unnoticed, though fatigue and a vague discomfort around the liver area are sometimes reported. While lifestyle changes — more movement, a lighter diet, reaching a healthy weight — remain the foundation of managing fatty liver, Nourilo recommends this simple daily tea as a practical dietary support for people who are also working on those lifestyle changes. The four-ingredient blend is specifically chosen for those with obesity, elevated triglycerides/cholesterol/blood sugar, or confirmed non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Method

  1. Place all four ingredients in a teapot or large mug.
  2. First, pour in a splash of hot boiling water, swirl briefly, and discard — this rinse washes away any dust or impurities.
  3. Add fresh boiling water and allow to steep for 10 minutes before drinking.
  4. Refill with hot water and continue steeping until the flavour is fully spent.
  5. Enjoy 3–5 times per week as an afternoon tea.

Nourilo’s Tips

For best results with the cassia seeds, dry-toast them in a clean, oil-free pan for about 7 minutes before storing. Once toasted, keep them in a jar and use directly — they steep much more easily and the flavour is richer. Nourilo’s preferred lotus leaf for this tea is the pre-toasted shredded version sold in herb shops, which brews up fragrant and clear. If you only have untoasted dried lotus leaf from a pharmacy, shred it finely before use.

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
  • Chrysanthemum · Randomized controlled trial, 37 participants · 2023
    Compared with the high-fat meal alone, the extract group had lower postprandial glucose at 1 hour and higher antioxidant markers (T-AOC, SOD, GSH), with lower MDA. Incremental area under the curve did not differ significantly between groups.Limitation: Small sample of healthy young adults given a single high-fat meal, so longer-term effects and effects in people with metabolic conditions are unknown.PubMed 36677639 · 1 more chrysanthemum study

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

Spot an error? Report a correction

Frequently asked questions

Who is this tea particularly suited to?

This tea is specifically chosen for people with obesity, elevated triglycerides, elevated cholesterol, elevated blood sugar, or confirmed non-alcoholic fatty liver who are also working on broader lifestyle changes such as more movement and a lighter diet.

What are the four ingredients and how much of each is used?

Each serving uses one tablespoon each of hawthorn berries, dry-roasted cassia seeds, dried chrysanthemum flowers, and dried lotus leaf pieces — all equal parts.

How often and when is this tea traditionally enjoyed?

The file recommends enjoying it 3–5 times per week as an afternoon tea.

How much does one preparation make, and can it be re-steeped?

One preparation yields approximately one pot, or 2–3 cups. The pot can be refilled with hot water and steeped again until the flavour is fully spent.

Is this tea presented as a treatment or cure for fatty liver?

No. Nourilo presents it as a practical dietary support as part of a balanced diet, to be used alongside lifestyle changes such as more movement, a lighter diet, and reaching a healthy weight — not as a treatment, cure, or diagnosis for any condition. The four herbs are traditionally associated with supporting liver function and moderating fat metabolism.

You might also like

Related recipes

More herbal & flower teas →

Comments

Loading comments…