Honeysuckle, Jasmine, and Chrysanthemum Tea

Why people make this tea

A friend gave Nourilo a bag of premium Hangzhou chrysanthemum — he could smell the fragrance before even opening the packet. After brewing it alone the first day and noticing how clear-headed and refreshed he felt, he decided to add two companions: jasmine and honeysuckle. The result is a well-rounded, aromatic heat-clearing tea that works across several fronts at once. Chrysanthemum is one of the most trusted herbs for calming liver fire and easing eye strain; jasmine moves qi and soothes the mind; honeysuckle is a classical heat-toxin clearing herb that has been used for centuries for skin breakouts, sore throats, and internal inflammation. Together they form a tea that addresses many of the small complaints that come with city life and insufficient sleep.

Method

1. Place all three flowers in a teapot or infuser.
2. Pour a small amount of boiling water over the flowers, swirl briefly, and discard — this is a rinse to remove dust and any impurities.
3. Pour fresh boiling water over the flowers.
4. Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
5. Pour into cups and drink. The flowers can be steeped again until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea also gently supports smooth bowel movements and helps the body eliminate internal heat through the digestive route. It can be prepared as a stronger decoction and used as an external wash or compress for skin itching, dermatitis, or eczema — simply cook it at a higher water ratio and allow to cool before applying with cotton. For topical use, the unprocessed field variety of honeysuckle (tu yin hua) gives better results. Limit to 3–4 servings per week; do not drink it every single day over long periods.