Eucommia (Du Zhong) Tea

Why people make this tea

In traditional Chinese medicine, one common pattern associated with high blood pressure is called “liver-yang rising” — a state in which the liver’s yang energy, normally kept in check by sufficient yin, surges upward and causes symptoms like headaches (particularly at the top or sides of the head), dizziness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, and a sense of fullness or tension in the flanks. This three-ingredient tea is a classic response to that pattern. Bro Niu describes it as one of the simpler, more accessible food-therapy teas he recommends — easy to prepare and gentle enough for regular use by those with this kind of headache profile.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits those with high blood pressure who experience headaches, dizziness, irritability, or poor sleep associated with liver-yang rising or excessive liver fire.
• Also suitable for those prone to headaches due to kidney deficiency, according to Bro Niu.
• People with low blood pressure should NOT take this tea — eucommia is associated with blood pressure lowering effects and could cause problems.
• Those with yin deficiency and excessive heat (yin xu huo wang) should limit intake — Bro Niu advises this group to drink it sparingly.
• People who are pregnant, or who have a cold or spleen-deficient constitution, should consult a practitioner first.
• This tea should be taken as a complement to, not a replacement for, any prescribed blood pressure medications.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Eucommia bark (du zhong): One of the most recognised herbs in Chinese medicine for supporting kidney and liver health, and traditionally associated with helping to lower blood pressure. It is warm in nature — not cold — making it more suitable for those who don’t tolerate cooling herbs well.
• Self-heal spike (xia ku cao): A herb that is traditionally associated with clearing liver fire and brightening the eyes. It has been studied in the context of blood pressure and is commonly used in Cantonese herbal teas. It is somewhat cooling in nature.
• Chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua): Lightly cooling, aromatic, and traditionally valued for dispersing wind-heat, calming the liver and clearing the eyes. Added at the end of cooking to preserve its delicate properties. Any variety — Hangzhou (hang ju), tribute chrysanthemum (gong ju) or bud chrysanthemum (tai ju) — is suitable.

Ingredients (2 servings)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Eucommia bark (du zhong)	1 liang (~38 g)	Dried, available at herbal medicine shops
Self-heal spike (xia ku cao)	1 liang (~38 g)	Dried herb
Chrysanthemum flowers	3 qian (~11 g)	Added at the end; any variety works
Water	5 bowls (~1 litre)	Reduces to about 2 bowls

Method

1. Rinse the eucommia bark and self-heal spike under running water.
2. Place them in a pot with 5 bowls of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
3. Cook for approximately 1 hour until the liquid reduces to about 2 bowls.
4. Add the chrysanthemum flowers and bring back to a brief boil for about 5 minutes.
5. Strain the tea and drink warm. Take twice daily.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is suitable for people with excessive liver fire or those prone to headaches due to kidney deficiency. It is not cooling or cold in nature, so most people find it fairly easy to take regularly. If you find the taste too concentrated or too bitter, Bro Niu suggests increasing the water to 7 bowls and cooking down to 4 bowls — then drink 2 bowls per person per day, split across two occasions. For long-term maintenance, drinking it 2–3 times a week is reasonable once the acute headaches have settled.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (fanny50631): For 2 people, how much water and herbs should I use? Bro Niu: The recipe as written is already for 2 people. If the taste feels too strong or bitter, use 7 bowls of water instead and cook down to 4 bowls. Each person drinks 2 bowls per day, split into morning and evening.

• Q (anonymous): For long-term drinking, is it okay to have it just 2 times a week? Bro Niu: Yes, 2–3 times a week is perfectly fine for ongoing use.

• Q (belle): I want something to clear liver fire but prefer something more neutral — not too cooling, not too warming. Any suggestions? Bro Niu: For a milder approach to clearing liver fire, try self-heal spike (xia ku cao) 1 liang with 6 red dates and a piece of slab sugar, simmered in water. That version is gentler and not cooling.

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Published October 10, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.