Hawthorn Lotus Leaf Tea (Shan Zha He Ye Cha)

Why people make this tea

After a festival of rice dumplings and rich dishes, Bro Niu says it’s easy to feel a bit bunged up and over-full. That’s exactly when he reaches for a cup of hawthorn and lotus leaf tea. Hawthorn (shan zha) is the classic helper for greasy, meaty food stagnation, and is also a well-loved ingredient for heart and blood-vessel wellness. Lotus leaf is traditionally cooling and supports the spleen. Together they make a refreshing summer tea to help dispel dampness, support slimming, and settle “heart fire” after over-indulgent eating.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• People who have over-eaten rich, oily food and feel sluggish; also enjoyed for slimming support and by those mindful of the “three highs” (blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids).
• Not suitable for people with stomach ulcers or excess stomach acid.
• Not suitable during pregnancy.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Hawthorn (shan zha): Traditionally aids digestion and the breakdown of greasy, meaty food, moves “qi,” disperses stasis, and is associated with heart and blood-vessel wellness.
• Lotus leaf (he ye): Traditionally cooling and dampness-clearing; supports the spleen and is associated with relieving summer heat and supporting slimming.

Ingredients (1 pot)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Hawthorn (shan zha)	1 tbsp	Red-skin, yellow-flesh northern hawthorn is best
Lotus leaf tea (he ye cha)	1/2 tbsp

Method

1. Put the ingredients into a pot.
2. Rinse once with boiling water, then discard that water.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water and steep, covered, 10 minutes before drinking.

Bro Niu’s tips

Red-skin, yellow-flesh northern hawthorn has the better effect. This tea is also welcome for those mindful of the “three highs” — but people with stomach ulcers or excess stomach acid, and pregnant women, should not take it.

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Published June 22, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 1 min read.