Honeysuckle, Jasmine, and Chrysanthemum Tea

Why people make this tea

A friend gave Bro Niu 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.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for people with acne, eye redness or irritation, sore or swollen throat, headaches, elevated blood pressure with liver fire, and heat-related skin conditions
• Can also be used as a topical wash for skin itching, dermatitis, or eczema — prepare as a stronger decoction and apply with cotton
• Pregnant women should not drink this tea
• People with a cold-weak constitution or frequent loose stools should avoid this tea, as all three flowers are cooling in nature
• People with G6PD deficiency (favism) must not drink this tea
• Limit to 3–4 cups per week — daily drinking over extended periods may suppress the body’s own immune activity

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Hangzhou chrysanthemum (hang ju hua / Chrysanthemum morifolium): One of the most revered cooling herbs. Traditionally used to calm liver fire, brighten and protect the eyes, dispel wind-heat, and clear the head. Its antioxidant profile supports overall cellular health.
• Jasmine buds (mo li hua): Fragrant, qi-moving, and mind-calming. Traditionally regarded as releasing constrained liver qi, reducing irritability, and gently clearing heat.
• Honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua / Lonicera japonica): A classical heat-clearing and toxin-resolving herb in Chinese medicine. Traditionally used for sore throat, skin eruptions, heat rashes, and internal inflammation. Also used topically for skin conditions. Note: for external skin use, field honeysuckle (tu yin hua) is considered more effective than the cultivated variety.

Ingredients (1–2 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Hangzhou chrysanthemum (hang ju hua)	10 g	Or substitute with other varieties
Jasmine buds	10 g	Food-grade, unflavoured
Honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua)	10 g	Dried
Water	Enough to fill a teapot

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.

Bro Niu’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.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (reader, for a 4-year-old): Can I make chrysanthemum and honeysuckle tea for a 4-year-old child to clear heat? How much should I use? Bro Niu: You can use one tablespoon of each, brewed together. A small amount of honey can be added. Keep it light and gentle.

• Q (reader, external use): Can this tea be used as a topical wash for heat-type eczema on the face? Which variety of honeysuckle is better for topical use? Bro Niu: The field variety (tu yin hua) gives better results as a topical wash. Use about 1 liang in 6 bowls of water, simmer for 15 minutes, and apply 2–3 times daily with cotton once cooled. This tea can also be drunk for eczema.

• Q (reader, Lee): Can this tea be drunk every day as a daily water replacement? I also have constipation and acne. Bro Niu: Limit to 3–4 servings per week — if you drink it every day, the body stops doing its own work. For sleep, try dry-roasting arborvitae seeds (bai zi ren) and steeping them as a tea for 4–5 days — it helps with sleep and also relieves constipation.

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Published November 18, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.