Xia Ku Cao and Golden Chrysanthemum Tea

Why people make this tea

Here’s another simple flower-and-herb tea Nourilo likes for flu season. Chrysanthemum comes in three kinds — white, golden-yellow and wild. White is mild and sweet, traditionally said to calm the liver and brighten the eyes; golden-yellow is more bitter and stronger at clearing heat, with the same eye-brightening reputation; wild chrysanthemum is the most bitter and the strongest at clearing heat-toxin. All three are traditionally seen as working against germs and viruses. Paired with prunella (xia ku cao), which is traditionally used to clear heat and ease red eyes and headache, it makes an easy seasonal cup.

Method

1. Rinse the prunella and simmer it in 1.5 L of water down to about 600 ml.
2. Add the golden chrysanthemum and brown sugar, simmer about 5 minutes, then drink.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is traditionally said to calm the liver, brighten the eyes and support healthy blood pressure as a seasonal flu-season drink. Any constitution may take it — but pregnant women should not drink this tea.