Hawthorn, Cassia Seed and Virgate Wormwood Tea

Why people make this tea

Hawthorn berries are available fresh and dried from Chinese grocers and health-food stores, and they are one of those rare ingredients that are genuinely affordable and genuinely useful. In Chinese food-therapy tradition, hawthorn is associated with supporting cardiovascular circulation and promoting healthy digestion of fats. Paired with cassia seed and virgate wormwood — two herbs long valued for their liver-supporting properties — this tea has been a popular home remedy for people who want to look after their liver and keep blood lipids in a healthy range, including those concerned about fatty liver.

Method

1. Rinse all three ingredients briefly under cold water.
2. Place in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 40 minutes until about 600 ml of liquid remain.
4. Strain and serve warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

If you can find fresh hawthorn berries, increase the amount to around 60 g for this same recipe. Beyond fatty liver and high blood lipids, this tea is also well suited to people with elevated uric acid. For hepatitis patients, a course of 10 to 15 consecutive days is traditionally suggested before assessing results.