Herbal & Flower Teas
Two-Seed Albizia Flower Longan Tea (Er Ren He Huan Hua Yuan Rou Cha)
traditionally used to calm the mind, ease anxiety, and support restful sleep
Why people make this tea
Insomnia is one of the most common complaints in urban life — whether it is lying awake unable to switch off, waking in the early hours, or cycling through shallow, dream-filled sleep that leaves you exhausted the next morning. As we age, the brain naturally produces less melatonin, the hormone that regulates body temperature and signals the muscles to relax. Research suggests that adults over 60 to 65 may naturally need as little as six hours of sleep per night — but the quality of those hours matters enormously. Shallow sleep with constant dreams, or waking up feeling foggy and heavy-headed, signals that the quality is not there.
Traditional Chinese food therapy recommends eating foods naturally rich in melatonin-supporting nutrients: oats, millet, dates, longan, apples, banana, wheat grass, walnuts, sesame, and pumpkin seeds. This tea brings together six classic calming herbs — two seeds, a flower, two roots, and longan — in a formula that has been used for generations to settle an anxious mind, ease palpitations, and support the transition into deep sleep.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Those with insomnia, difficulty settling at night, light or dream-filled sleep, heart palpitations, or nighttime sweating
- Also helpful for anxiety, mild depression, forgetfulness, and dry constipation
- Suitable for adults, the elderly, and most body types; take daily for at least one week before expecting results
- Pregnant women should not take this tea. Several of the herbs in this formula are not recommended during pregnancy
- If the tea causes a slightly dry or rough feeling in the throat, try reducing the amount of sour jujube seed (suan zao ren) by half
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Sour jujube seed (suan zao ren): The most widely used single herb for insomnia in classical Chinese medicine; traditionally associated with nourishing the heart and calming nervous tension. Ideally use the roasted (chao) form for better effect
- Cypress seed (bai zi ren): Gently nourishing and calming; traditionally associated with settling the heart, easing anxiety, and lubricating the intestines
- Polygala root (yuan zhi): Supports communication between the heart and the mind in traditional thought; associated with calming worry and improving memory. The honey-processed form (mi zhi yuan zhi) is preferred and slightly more effective
- Solomonseal stem (ye jiao teng): Long used as a calming herb for restless nights; also supportive of circulation
- Albizia flower (he huan hua): A cheerful-looking flower whose Chinese name means “happiness meeting”; traditionally used to ease depression, lift mood, and calm the spirit
- Longan flesh (yuan rou): Warming and sweet; traditionally associated with nourishing the heart and blood; one of the foods known to support melatonin pathways
Ingredients (2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sour jujube seed (suan zao ren) | 4 qian (~15 g) | Roasted (chao) preferred |
| Cypress seed (bai zi ren) | 4 qian (~15 g) | — |
| Polygala root (yuan zhi) | 3 qian (~11 g) | Honey-processed (mi zhi) preferred |
| Solomonseal stem (ye jiao teng) | 3 qian (~11 g) | — |
| Albizia flower (he huan hua) | 3 qian (~11 g) | — |
| Longan flesh (yuan rou) | 3 qian (~11 g) | — |
| Water | 4 bowls | — |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients briefly.
- Place in a pot with 4 bowls of cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for 30 minutes, until reduced to about 2 cups.
- Divide into two portions (morning and evening), drink warm. Take daily for at least one week.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea has a gentle, not overpowering flavor — suitable for the elderly and most adults. For best results, take it daily: patience is key, as herbs work gradually. Those with constipation, anxiety, and forgetfulness will also benefit from this formula. Pregnant women must not take this tea. If you feel a dry or slightly rough sensation in the throat after drinking, try using less sour jujube seed. A ready-made product called “Old Person’s Sleep Tea” (老人睡好茶) sold at Chinese pharmacy supermarkets can serve as a convenient substitute if you prefer not to make the tea from scratch — despite the name, it is not only for older people.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ada): My mother is in her 80s and often cannot fall asleep at all, and wakes at 3 am unable to go back to sleep. She has diabetes and high blood pressure, and also has constipation. Is this tea suitable? Bro Niu: This formula can help. I suggest omitting the longan flesh and replacing it with lily bulb (bai he) 5 qian, which has a cooling and calming quality more suitable for her. She will need to drink it daily before she sees improvement.
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Q (Seesee): I am 50 and my periods have become irregular over the past few months. I am also sleeping poorly, waking often, and struggling to concentrate. I am easily upset. Can this tea help? Bro Niu: You may be approaching perimenopause, which commonly brings on these symptoms. Try a formula of floating wheat (fu xiao mai) 1 liang, poria spirit (fu shen) 1 liang, roasted licorice (zhi gan cao) 2 qian, red dates 6 pieces, and lily bulb (bai he) 1 liang cooked as a soup or congee — 2 to 3 times a week. It is mildly sweet, has no strong medicinal taste, and is quite gentle.
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Q (MM): I have had several nights of insomnia and also irregular periods. My tongue looks slightly purplish. Is this tea appropriate? Bro Niu: This tea is suitable for your insomnia and irregular periods. A purplish tinge on the tongue can sometimes indicate elevated blood lipids or cholesterol — it would be worth getting a check-up to rule this out.
Published September 7, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 5 min read.
