Herbal & Flower Teas
Hawthorn Cassia Lotus Leaf Tea
traditionally associated with reducing fat accumulation, supporting digestion and promoting healthy blood lipids
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu is direct about this: there are no miracle shortcuts for weight management. Rapid-loss methods found in the marketplace often come at a cost to the body. What works — slowly and sustainably — is changing how you eat: smaller portions, stopping at seventy percent full, and consistent, moderate movement. This tea is designed to support that process, not replace it. Hawthorn is widely appreciated in Chinese cooking and medicine for its ability to help the body break down fatty, heavy foods. Cassia seeds support the liver and bowels; lotus leaf is associated with reducing fat stored in the body; and chrysanthemum adds a cooling, liver-clearing effect. Drunk for two to three weeks consecutively, this combination is traditionally considered helpful for shedding excess oiliness from the system and supporting healthy circulation.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Adults looking to support a healthy weight through diet, particularly those who eat rich or heavy foods regularly
- People with mild to moderate high blood pressure, high blood lipids, or fatty liver concerns
- Those looking for an everyday substitute for plain water during a weight management effort
- Pregnant women should not use this tea
- People with low blood pressure: use cautiously, as cassia seeds and lotus leaf may lower blood pressure further
- Those with weak or deficient qi should use a modified formula: replace hawthorn with goji berries or omit it, and use cassia, lotus leaf and chrysanthemum only
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Hawthorn (shan zha): One of the most widely used digestive herbs in Chinese food therapy; associated with dispersing food stagnation, particularly after eating meat and fatty foods. Also used to support healthy blood circulation and blood lipid balance. Note: use with care if you are qi-deficient, as hawthorn has a dispersing action. Use a non-reactive pot (clay, ceramic or enamel) — hawthorn’s acidity can react with iron or bare metal.
- Dry-roasted cassia seeds (jue ming zi): Traditionally associated with supporting the liver, clearing vision, and promoting healthy bowel movement. Roasting the seeds before infusion significantly improves their flavour and makes the active compounds more readily released. Associated with lowering high blood pressure and blood lipids in multiple traditional contexts.
- Lotus leaf (he ye): A classic ingredient for fat metabolism in Chinese food therapy; associated with clearing summer heat from the body, lifting the spleen’s energy, and reducing the accumulation of excess fat in the tissues.
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Adds a light, cooling effect to the formula; traditionally associated with supporting the liver, clearing heat from the eyes, and moderating the stronger flavour of the other three ingredients.
Ingredients (1 large pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried hawthorn berries (shan zha) | 1 tablespoon (~4–5 g) | Loose or sliced |
| Dry-roasted cassia seeds (jue ming zi) | 1 tablespoon (~4–5 g) | Must be dry-roasted before use |
| Dried lotus leaf pieces (he ye) | 1 tablespoon (~4–5 g) | Cut or crumbled |
| Dried chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua) | 1 tablespoon (~4–5 g) | Any variety |
Method
- Place all four ingredients into a muslin tea bag or fine strainer basket.
- Put the bag into a teapot.
- Pour a small amount of boiling water over the ingredients and swirl briefly; discard this rinse water.
- Add fresh boiling water and steep, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Drink warm. The tea can be re-steeped until the flavour fades.
- Drink once daily for 2–3 consecutive weeks; then reduce to 3–4 times per week for maintenance.
Bro Niu’s tips
To make a large batch that stores well: dry-roast the cassia seeds in a clean dry pan over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, then add the remaining three ingredients and roast together for another 3 minutes. Let cool completely and pack into tea bags. This kills any insect eggs and allows long storage without refrigeration. For the best results, drink this tea as part of a broader commitment to smaller portions and regular movement — the tea supports the process but cannot do the work alone. Use a clay, ceramic or enamel pot — hawthorn is acidic and should not be cooked in bare iron or aluminium.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (linda): Can my husband drink this tea every day for mild high blood pressure? Bro Niu: Yes, he can drink it daily. Once blood pressure normalises, reduce to 3–4 times a week. Simmering it for 15 minutes (instead of just steeping) produces an even better result.
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Q (Cola): I have qi deficiency as well as high blood pressure. Can I still drink this tea? Bro Niu: If you are qi deficient, use cassia seeds, lotus leaf and chrysanthemum without the hawthorn — it is still very effective. Dry-roast all materials together for about 7 minutes and store in tea bags. You can also drink a vegetable borscht soup, which gently lowers blood pressure and builds qi without being drying.
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Q (Iddie): Can this tea be drunk for postnatal weight loss? My hawthorn and lotus leaf are dried in flat pieces — should I measure them after crushing? Bro Niu: This tea is suitable for postnatal weight management. Use about 4–5 grams of each ingredient — easier to measure by weight. No need to crush them, but do dry-roast the cassia seeds first so they release flavour better during steeping.
Published August 11, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
