Herbal & Flower Teas
Lotus Plumule and Green Tea
Traditionally used to clear heart-fire, ease restlessness and support healthy blood pressure
Why people make this tea
Lotus plumule is the small green embryo found at the centre of a lotus seed. Dried plumules are the part you steep for this tea, and they are available at Chinese herb shops or online. Lotus plumule is traditionally taken to clear heart-fire and ease restlessness, and is associated with supporting healthy blood pressure. Its main compounds (lotus alkaloids) are associated with a steady, lasting effect of relaxing the peripheral vessels — which is why it’s regarded as a wellness brew for the heart-fire pattern of high blood pressure.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people of a “heart-fire” pattern who feel restless and heated, and who want a simple supportive tea.
- Lotus plumule is cooling — not for those with a weak (deficiency-type) high blood pressure, who run cold, or who have cold hands and feet. If on Western medicine, space it about 2 hours from your dose.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lotus plumule (lian zi xin): traditionally clears heart-fire, eases restless heat and settles the mind; its lotus alkaloids are associated with relaxing the peripheral vessels.
- Green tea (lü cha): a clean, mildly cooling base that rounds out the brew.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lotus plumule | 1 tbsp | Available at Chinese herb shops or online |
| Green tea | 1 tsp |
Method
- Rinse the lotus plumule and green tea once with boiling water.
- Pour in fresh boiling water and steep about 5 minutes. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Lotus plumule is best at clearing heart-fire, easing restless heat and settling the mind. But it is cooling by nature, so people with a weak (deficiency-type) high blood pressure should not use it.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (flowwn): My heart and feet are often cold — can I drink lotus-plumule tea? If not, any alternative? Bro Niu: Lotus plumule is cooling, so if you have cold hands and feet you shouldn’t drink it often. Instead, simmer hawthorn (shan zha) and goji berries (4 qian each) with 8 red dates in 5 bowls of water down to 2 — it is warming and is associated with supporting blood pressure.
-
Q (florah): What is a “deficiency-type” high blood pressure person? Bro Niu: Their signs include frequent dizziness, ringing in the ears, palpitations, breathlessness on exertion, aching lower back and weak legs, restless dream-filled sleep, frequent urination, and muscle twitching — a yin-and-yang deficiency picture.
-
Q (Nat): I’ll make this tonight — can I drink it if I take Western medicine? And how do I ease a headache? Bro Niu: Drink it about 2 hours after your Western medicine. For the headache, try simmering chuan xiong (3 qian) with a little tea leaf in 3 bowls of water down to 2; it is associated with moving the blood and qi and easing pain.
Published September 15, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
