Three-Flower Honey Tea (San Hua Mi Cha)

Why people make this tea

The strains of lockdowns, uncertainty, and disrupted plans have left many people — especially younger adults — feeling anxious and low. When external circumstances feel out of our control, it helps to focus on what we can do: move a little, eat well, and seek connection. Nourilo suggests 30 minutes of daily movement, a diet that includes mood-friendly foods (dark chocolate, avocado, banana, nuts, green tea), and this gentle floral tea as everyday support. In traditional Chinese medicine, the low mood characterised by sighing frequently, difficulty concentrating, emotional restlessness, and a sense of being mentally foggy is often attributed to “liver qi stagnation” — and fragrant flowers are the classic remedy for it.

Method

1. Place all three flowers into a teapot.
2. Pour a small amount of boiling water over them, swirl briefly, and discard — this washes the flowers.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot. Cover and steep for about 7 minutes.
4. Pour into a cup, allow to cool slightly, then stir in honey to taste.
5. Drink warm. The flowers can be re-steeped once.

Nourilo’s Tips

Some experts suggest that obsessively following news and social media during difficult times can worsen anxiety and depressive feelings. If you notice that the news cycle is unsettling you, it may be worth limiting how much you consume — and brewing a quiet cup of this tea instead. Persistent emotional struggles warrant professional support; this tea is a daily companion, not a solution on its own. Silktree albizzia flower (he huan hua) looks like a cluster of silky threads when in bloom — the dried buds from a Chinese herb shop are what you want here.