Herbal & Flower Teas
Chinese Rose and Safflower Tea
Traditionally used to soothe the liver, ease low mood and support the circulation
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu knows that in today’s competitive world, work brings its share of frustration — especially for young people just starting out, who haven’t yet learned to let stress flow through them. When the liver-qi gets stuck, Chinese tradition links it to chest and belly tightness, low mood, low energy, even poor sleep and appetite. This Chinese rose and safflower tea is traditionally sipped to soothe the liver, lift the spirits and support the circulation, and is a comforting choice for those feeling tense and bottled-up.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone feeling tense, low or “bottled up”, with chest or belly tightness from stress.
- This tea is traditionally avoided in pregnancy. Those with heavy menstrual flow should leave out the safflower and use rose alone.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chinese rose (yue ji hua): traditionally used to soothe the liver, regulate qi and gently support the circulation; can be swapped for rose (mei gui hua) if unavailable.
- Safflower (hong hua): classically associated with moving the blood; best avoided by those with heavy menstrual flow.
- Slab / brown sugar (pian tang): adds warmth and rounds out the floral flavour.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese rose flowers | 5–6 | Rose (mei gui hua) works as a substitute |
| Safflower | 1 tablespoon | Omit if menstrual flow is heavy |
| Slab or brown sugar | to taste | A red-date-scented slab sugar is nice |
Method
- Crush the slab sugar.
- Put the Chinese rose, safflower and sugar into a pot.
- Pour in boiling water and steep, covered, for about 10 minutes. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
A red-date-scented slab sugar gives a lovely aroma. If you cannot find Chinese rose, ordinary rose (mei gui hua) works as a substitute. Note: this tea is traditionally avoided in pregnancy.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (kaka): I have clotty, painful periods and want to try this tea, but I’ve heard those with heavy flow shouldn’t take safflower — is that true? Which floral tea would suit me? Bro Niu: If your flow is heavy, leave out the safflower and use rose (mei gui) with Chinese rose instead. That blend is traditionally helpful for a cold constitution and for gently regulating periods and liver-qi.
-
Q (kaka): Can rose and Chinese rose be taken during the period? Will it increase the flow? Bro Niu: Yes, rose and Chinese rose can be taken during the period; they are traditionally associated with easing period discomfort and will not greatly increase the flow.
-
Q (xiao min): Will brewing Chinese rose and rose together help fade dark under-eye circles? I have them naturally — is that liver-related? Bro Niu: Rose and Chinese rose tea is traditionally used to soothe the liver and regulate qi. Dark circles may relate to kidney weakness; a soup of pumpkin, tomato and carrot with frog is traditionally used to support fading them, twice over two weeks.
Published August 3, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
