Osmanthus and Jasmine Flower Tea

Why people make this tea

Nourilo raises an important nuance that many Western readers may not have considered: not all cases of high blood pressure look the same. Some elderly people, after being told they have hypertension, become so restrictive in their diet — low calorie, very little fat, almost no meat — that they swing into nutritional deficiency and a “yang-deficient” pattern. Their blood pressure may remain elevated, but now they also experience dizziness, achy lower back, cold limbs, loose stools and clear, frequent urination. For this profile — yang-deficient hypertension — a warming, qi-moving tea like this gentle osmanthus-jasmine blend is traditionally considered more helpful than the cooling teas typically recommended for hypertension.

Osmanthus has a light, sweet fragrance and is associated in traditional terms with strengthening the spleen, resolving phlegm, dispersing stagnation and calming the liver. Jasmine is slightly warm, sweet and pungent — associated with regulating qi, opening emotional stagnation and harmonising the digestive system. Together they make one of the most pleasant-smelling herbal teas possible.

Method

1. Place both flowers in a teapot or large cup.
2. Pour in boiling water.
3. Steep for 3 minutes.
4. Pour and drink. The same flowers can be re-steeped a few more times.
5. When taking for nasal post-nasal drip in addition to mild hypertension, Nourilo suggests adding 6 magnolia buds (xin yi hua), lightly crushed, and steeping together; store in a thermos and drink throughout the day.

Nourilo’s Tips

• For mild hypertension in general, Nourilo also recommends hawthorn tea (shan zha cha) as a regular daily drink — easy, affordable and widely studied for cardiovascular support.
• If blood pressure suddenly spikes: juicing celery or bitter melon and drinking a glass can temporarily lower pressure by around 20 points — this is a useful household first step while waiting to see a doctor.
• Osmanthus and jasmine flowers are available at tea shops, flower tea boutiques and some department store tea counters (Sogo, Wing On etc.).
• Magnolia bud (xin yi hua) is available at Chinese herbal medicine shops.
• This tea can be kept in a thermos for the day and re-steeped multiple times.