Luo Han Guo Chrysanthemum Pu-erh Tea

Why people make this tea

Fatty liver is increasingly common in middle-aged adults, often linked to a combination of rich food, alcohol, and sedentary habits. In traditional Chinese food therapy, the liver is supported by cooling and cleansing ingredients that help the body clear heat and move accumulated fat. Bro Niu’s Luo Han Guo Chrysanthemum Pu-erh Tea brings together three such ingredients in a cup that is genuinely enjoyable to drink. The monk fruit makes it naturally sweet without any refined sugar; the pu-erh gives it depth and a mild earthy quality; and the chrysanthemum adds a clean floral note. Together, the three have been used in Chinese wellness traditions to support healthy blood lipids, ease a heavy or congested feeling in the liver area, and help the body manage weight over time.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Adults concerned about fatty liver, high blood fat (cholesterol or triglycerides), or mild digestive sluggishness.
• People who feel heavy, fatigued, or low in energy without a clear cause.
• Those who want to reduce intake of sugary drinks while still enjoying a flavourful hot beverage.
• Diabetics may use this tea, as monk fruit does not raise blood sugar. Use a modest amount — 1/4 of a fruit is the right measure; using a whole fruit would be excessive.
• Children aged 7 or above: omit the pu-erh tea (which contains caffeine) and drink just the monk fruit and chrysanthemum infusion during the day. Avoid giving any tea-based drink in the evening as it may affect sleep.
• Those with a cold constitution or frequent loose stools: the pu-erh and dried tangerine peel (chen pi) combination can help moderate the cooling nature of chrysanthemum and monk fruit — simply add a piece of dried tangerine peel to the pot.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Luo han guo / monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii): A cooling fruit used in Chinese food therapy to clear heat, cool the blood, moisten the intestines, and support detoxification. Modern research has examined its intense natural sweetness (from mogrosides) and its potential effects on blood sugar; it is widely used as a natural sweetener without caloric impact. The shell of the fruit is also beneficial and does not need to be discarded.
• Pu-erh tea (pu er cha): A fermented tea long valued in traditional Chinese wellness for its association with reducing blood fats, aiding digestion of fatty foods, and supporting weight management. The fermentation process gives it a mellow, earthy character and may reduce some of the astringency found in green teas.
• Chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua): A classic cooling flower used in Chinese food therapy to clear liver heat, support eye health, and reduce blood pressure. Paired with the warming pu-erh, the overall formula is balanced rather than overly cooling.

Ingredients (1 teapot, multiple infusions)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Luo han guo (monk fruit)	1/4 fruit	Break apart; use both shell and flesh
Pu-erh tea (loose leaf)	1 tablespoon
Dried chrysanthemum flowers	1 tablespoon
Boiling water	Enough to fill a teapot

Method

1. Place all ingredients into a teapot or heat-safe infuser.
2. Pour a small amount of boiling water over the ingredients; swirl briefly and discard this first rinse to clean the tea leaves.
3. Pour fresh boiling water into the pot to fill it. Put the lid on and allow to steep for 7 minutes.
4. Pour and enjoy. The pot can be re-infused multiple times, adding fresh boiling water each time, until the flavour becomes faint.

Bro Niu’s tips

When choosing a luo han guo, look for one with a bright, clear colour; hold it up and shake it — a good-quality fruit should make no sound inside (the flesh has not shrunk away from the shell). A fruit that rattles when shaken is considered a lesser grade. The entire fruit — shell and all — has benefits, so do not discard the shell pieces. Bro Niu uses just one quarter of a fruit per session; a whole fruit would be too much sweetness and too strong a dose.

For people with liver enzyme elevation, this tea may be worth trying as a daily wellness beverage. For serious liver conditions, please work with a qualified doctor.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Mrs Kwok): My husband has mild fatty liver — how should he drink this tea, and is it too cooling? Bro Niu: Since this tea uses pu-erh, it reduces the cooling nature of the formula. If he is still worried about it being too cold for his constitution, add a piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) to the pot each time. Drinking it 4–5 times a week is a good rhythm; no need to drink every single day.

• Q (reader): Can someone with diabetes drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, monk fruit is fine for diabetics when used in reasonable amounts — 1/4 of a fruit per serving is appropriate.

• Q (bubu): Can a 7-year-old drink this tea, and will the pu-erh affect sleep? Bro Niu: For a 7-year-old, simply leave out the tea leaves and just use the monk fruit and chrysanthemum. Any tea-based drink in the evening can interfere with sleep, so drink it only in the daytime.

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Published October 17, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.