He Shou Wu, Hawthorn Berry & Mulberry Tea

Why people make this tea

Urban stress, a meat-heavy diet, and little exercise form a familiar recipe for elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stiff arteries. Nourilo is clear: if you have been diagnosed with hypertension, medication comes first — no food-therapy tea can replace that. But as a supportive daily habit alongside treatment, this tea has been used in Chinese households for generations. Hawthorn berries in particular have attracted real scientific interest for their effects on lipid levels and circulation. The combination with he shou wu and mulberries adds a liver-kidney nourishing dimension that traditional Chinese medicine associates with calming “liver yang rising” — a pattern often described in TCM as an underlying contributor to high blood pressure.

Method

1. Rinse all the herbs briefly under cold water.
2. Place the he shou wu, hawthorn, and mulberries in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer for about 1 hour until the liquid reduces to approximately 600 ml.
5. Pour, allow to cool slightly, and drink. You can drink this warm or at room temperature.

Nourilo’s Tips

Use the processed form of he shou wu (制首乌, zhi shou wu) — it has been prepared to make it gentler and more suitable for regular use. This tea has a pleasantly tart, slightly sweet flavour. If you have acid reflux, drink it after meals and add a little honey to soften the acidity. It is fine to drink before bed (about 2 hours before sleep). One reader confirmed that this tea is also fine for those with gout.