Herbal & Flower Teas
Hawthorn Berry & Lotus Leaf Tea
Traditionally used to aid digestion, break down fats, and support healthy weight management
In short: Hawthorn Berry & Lotus Leaf Tea is a herbal & flower tea that Traditionally used to aid digestion, break down fats, and support healthy weight management. It is most often made for digestive wellness, weight & metabolism. Total time about 15 min. Key ingredients: hawthorn.
Why people make this tea
Hawthorn berries (shan zha) are one of the most widely used digestive aids in Chinese food therapy. They contain a fat-digesting enzyme (lipase) that helps the body break down fatty and greasy foods more efficiently, which is why this tea is particularly popular after a heavy meal. For children, it is a classic remedy for food stagnation (“shi zhi” — that overstuffed, uncomfortable feeling after eating too much). For adults looking to manage their weight over time, combining hawthorn with lotus leaf is a traditional and still very common pairing: lotus leaf is associated with clearing heat, reducing fluid retention, and supporting the metabolism of fats in traditional Chinese medicine. Together, this tea is best enjoyed after lunch or dinner as a pleasant, tart digestive drink.
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
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
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
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