Herbal & Flower Teas
Jasmine Flower Tea
Traditionally soothes the stomach and freshens the breath
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu loves brewing flower teas at home — he calls it a small everyday pleasure, no need to fuss over the ceremony or exact gram counts; as long as it feels relaxing and the flavor is right, that’s enough. Jasmine in particular smells wonderfully clean and sweet. In food therapy it is associated with easing a stuck, irritable feeling, settling the middle, and gently supporting digestion — and it is traditionally linked with help for bloating, bad breath and an uneasy gut.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with mild digestive upset, bloating or bad breath who want a gentle, fragrant tea
- Gentle enough that even children can sip it (one reader asked about a 4-year-old, and Bro Niu said this tea is very mild)
- Soothing for the nerves, so a nice unwinding cup
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Jasmine flower (mo li hua): fragrant and gentle; traditionally associated with regulating qi, easing a stuck mood, settling the stomach and freshening the breath
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried jasmine flowers | 2–3 g |
Method
- Put the jasmine flowers in a pot.
- Pour in water at about 95°C (just off the boil).
- Cover and steep for about 3 minutes, then serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Jasmine pairs nicely with an oolong (a green-style tea leaf) — neither steals the other’s fragrance. It is traditionally regarded as a friendly cup for people watching their weight or troubled by bad breath.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (dada): I run hot easily — is jasmine tea suitable for me? And why do I seem to break out when I drink rose tea? Bro Niu: Jasmine and osmanthus suit you well. Rose is a bit more warming, so if you tend toward heat, go easy on it.
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Q (bee): I have a cold constitution but flare up easily — when I eat heating food I break out, yet my spleen and stomach are weak and cold. To clear bad breath, would jasmine, osmanthus or violet teas suit me? Bro Niu: Osmanthus and violet flower teas can both help freshen the breath, so you may drink them.
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Q (kk): I’m quite damp-heat in constitution. Can I add longan to jasmine tea, or is longan-rose tea better? Bro Niu: If sleep is poor and you run hot, German chamomile or lavender brewed on their own can help with rest. Jasmine is traditionally said to help relax the nerves.
Published February 28, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
