Herbal & Flower Teas
Sophora Flower, Cassia Seed & Chrysanthemum Tea
A simple floral tea to help guard against high blood pressure, blood sugar & blood lipids
Why people make this tea
Rich, modern diets — plenty of meat, frequent meals out, high in fat, cholesterol and sugar — gradually push many people toward the “three highs” (high blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids). This simple floral tea is an easy daily habit traditionally used to help guard against them. It’s fragrant, quick to steep, and gentle enough for young and old.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone wanting a light daily tea as part of a “three-highs”-aware lifestyle; also traditionally good for the eyes.
- Not suitable during pregnancy, or for those of a weak, cold constitution.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Sophora flower (huai hua): traditionally clears heat and cools the blood, and is associated with supporting healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and the strength of small blood vessels.
- Cassia seed (jue ming zi): traditionally supports the liver and eyes and healthy blood pressure, and is a well-known slimming ingredient.
- Chrysanthemum (tai ju): clears and brightens the eyes, moistens, and is associated with supporting healthy blood lipids and pressure.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sophora flower (huai hua) | 1 tbsp | from a Chinese herb shop |
| Toasted cassia seed (jue ming zi) | 1 tbsp | dry-toast ~7 min and store for easy use |
| Tender chrysanthemum buds (tai ju) | 1 tbsp | other white/Hangzhou chrysanthemum also works |
Method
- Put the sophora flower, toasted cassia seed and chrysanthemum buds in a pot.
- Rinse once with boiling water, then pour in fresh boiling water and steep, covered, ~10 minutes. Re-steep until the flavor fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is fragrant and suits all ages, and is kind to the eyes. To make cassia seed release its flavor easily, dry-toast it for about 7 minutes and keep it on hand. If you don’t have tai ju, other white or Hangzhou chrysanthemum is fine — but it’s not suitable for pregnant women or those of a cold, weak constitution.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Sum): My husband has thyroid nodules — can the related Prunella & luo han guo food therapy be taken long-term? Bro Niu: That Prunella–luo han guo soup helps soften and disperse swellings; you can add 3 mace of zhe bei mu to strengthen it. Eat less spicy, fried, very sweet and high-fat food. If after another couple of weeks there’s no improvement, consider surgical advice.
- Q (A): My cousin’s wife just had her first chemotherapy after breast-cancer surgery and feels dizzy and nauseous — any tea or soup to ease it? Bro Niu: Chemo is very taxing and can harm the blood-forming cells, so support the blood first — e.g. a “four-reds” soup of red beans, red-skin peanuts, goji and red dates, simmered ~1 hour, no sugar, at least 3 times a week. Black and snow fungus simmered with lean pork can also help. Avoid high-fat, greasy and sugary foods.
Published March 9, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
