Herbal & Flower Teas
Rose, Albizia and Chrysanthemum Three-Flower Tea
Traditionally soothes the liver and lifts a low mood
Why people make this tea
Life rarely goes the way we’d like, and Bro Niu notes that mid-life and older people — the children grown and gone, the body slowing down — can be especially prone to low spirits. He gently reminds readers to count their blessings, and offers this three-flower tea, traditionally enjoyed to soothe the liver and ease a heavy or restless mood, the kind of feeling that shows up as constant sighing, foggy thinking and a tight, achy chest.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone feeling tense, low, sighing often, foggy-headed, or with a tight chest and rib-side discomfort
- Can be sipped regularly as a gentle daily tea
- Pregnant women should avoid flower teas
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Rose (mei gui hua): classic flower for moving stuck liver qi, traditionally associated with easing tension and a heavy mood
- Albizia flower (he huan hua): the “collective happiness” flower, traditionally used to calm the spirit and lift the mood
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): cooling and clearing, traditionally associated with soothing the liver and brightening the eyes
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rose buds | 1 tbsp | — |
| Albizia flower buds | 1 tbsp | — |
| Chrysanthemum flowers | 1 tbsp | — |
Method
- Place all the flowers in a pot.
- Rinse once with boiling water, then refill with boiling water.
- Cover and steep for 5–7 minutes. Drink, re-steeping until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
The tea is fragrant and traditionally said to regulate qi and, over time, steady the spirit. A little honey makes it taste even nicer. Note: pregnant women should not drink flower teas.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Silly): I’m young but developed rosacea and an ovarian chocolate cyst a few years ago. My period is a week late, I feel very tired, and my face flushes red. How can I bring my period sooner without affecting the cyst? Bro Niu: Favour warm food and drinks and cut back on raw, cold and iced things. You can simmer hawthorn (shan zha, ~19 g) with 3–4 slices of ginger and a little brown sugar in 3 bowls of water down to 2 bowls, taken for three doses.
Published July 2, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
