Herbal & Flower Teas
Prunella (Selfheal) and Chrysanthemum Tea
Traditionally used to clear liver fire and brighten the eyes
Why people make this tea
After a stretch of late nights and rich, spicy meals, working folk often run with “rising liver fire,” Bro Niu observes — irritable and short-tempered, with red-veined or dry eyes and patchy sleep. People take a holiday to unwind; the body needs a little cooling-down too. This simple, easy-to-brew tea of selfheal and chrysanthemum is offered for exactly that.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those with excess liver fire: headache, poor sleep, irritability, red or dry eyes.
- Cooling in nature; suitable for children aged 2 and older. Those of cold constitution should take it in moderation.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Selfheal / prunella (xia ku cao): Traditionally used to clear liver fire and brighten the eyes.
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Traditionally used to clear heat, calm the liver and benefit the eyes.
- Rock sugar (bing tang): Softens the slight bitterness; optional.
Ingredients (about 3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Selfheal / prunella | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Chrysanthemum flowers | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinsed |
| Rock sugar | To taste | Optional |
Method
- Soak and rinse the selfheal; rinse the chrysanthemum.
- Simmer the selfheal in 6 bowls of water for 30 minutes.
- Add the chrysanthemum and cook 5 minutes more; add rock sugar to dissolve, reducing to about 3 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is fragrant with a slight bitterness, so a little rock sugar makes it nicer — though you can leave it out. For the chrysanthemum, Hangzhou chrysanthemum (hang ju), tai ju or gong ju all work much the same.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Gaomei): In 2020 I had 60% of my liver removed due to stones; I don’t drink or smoke, just keep late hours. Since the start of last year I’ve had dizziness (the doctor found iron-deficiency anaemia) though the liver has recovered. Any soup for a late “make-up” tonic? Bro Niu: You can use 1 liang red beans, 1 liang red-skinned peanuts, 1 tbsp goji and 6 pitted red dates in 5 bowls of water down to 2, eating the soup and ingredients, over 2 days, twice a week for 4 days; 1–2 months may help. For stronger effect add 4 qian dang shen. Mussels (dan cai) are also good for iron-deficiency anaemia — use them often in soup or congee.
- Q (anonymous reader): Can children drink this? Bro Niu: Children aged 2 and older can drink it.
Published February 19, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
