Jasmine, Apple Blossom, and Osmanthus Honey Tea

Why people make this tea

There is something universally calming about fragrant flowers. In Chinese food medicine, aromatic flowers — jasmine, rose, osmanthus, orange blossom — have long been used to smooth the flow of qi (vital energy), settle the nerves, and ease a heavy or restless mind. In unsettled times or on days when anxiety presses in, Bro Niu recommends brewing this simple three-flower tea as a gentle, natural ritual of self-care. The scent alone does half the work.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for most adults, including women with irregular periods who can benefit from regular consumption
• Those who feel sensitive to cooling foods can substitute rose petals (warm in nature) for the jasmine, which has a slightly cooling character; apple blossom and osmanthus are both mild and neutral, so they suit most people

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Jasmine flowers (mo li hua): Fragrant and slightly cooling; traditionally used to harmonise the stomach, reduce inflammation, calm the liver, and soothe the nerves and spirit.
• Apple blossom (ping guo hua): Sweet and mild; traditionally associated with moistening the lungs, lifting the heart and mood, and gently supporting the digestive system.
• Osmanthus (gui hua): Warm and fragrant; traditionally used to warm the middle, dispel cold, support intestinal health, and brighten the skin.
• Honey: Sweet and neutral; adds gentle sweetness and is traditionally considered nourishing for the lungs and digestive system.

Ingredients (1–1.5 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried jasmine flowers (mo li hua)	1 tablespoon	Available at Chinese herbal tea shops
Dried apple blossom (ping guo hua)	1 tablespoon	Available at Chinese herbal tea shops
Dried osmanthus flowers (gui hua)	1/2 tablespoon	Available at Chinese herbal tea shops
Honey	To taste	Add after the water cools slightly
Boiling water	Enough to fill the teapot

Method

1. Place all three flowers in a teapot or cup.
2. Rinse with a small amount of boiling water and discard the rinse water — this cleans the flowers and wakes up the fragrance.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water and steep for about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in honey to taste once the tea has cooled slightly (to preserve the honey’s beneficial properties).
5. Serve and re-steep until the flavour fades.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is traditionally associated with relaxing the nerves, reducing mild inflammation, brightening the skin, supporting hormonal balance, and even offering some protection against environmental radiation damage. Women with irregular periods can enjoy it regularly. If you tend to be sensitive to cold or cooling foods, swap the jasmine for rose petals — rose is warm in nature and equally calming and fragrant.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (KK): I cannot tolerate cold or cooling foods. Can I still drink this? Is there anything I can add? Bro Niu: If you are sensitive to cold, just swap the jasmine for rose petals — rose is warm in nature. Both apple blossom and osmanthus are fairly neutral and should be fine for you.

• Q (Karen): Is this enough for one cup of water? Also, roughly how much does one tablespoon of hawthorn weigh? Bro Niu: It makes about one to one-and-a-half cups of tea. If you brew a larger amount, just divide it and drink throughout the day. One tablespoon of hawthorn is approximately 12 grams.

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Published November 11, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.