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Herbal & Flower Teas

Tian Qi Flower Tea (Notoginseng Flower Tea)

traditionally used to calm liver heat, support healthy blood pressure, and ease heat-related headache, acne, and restlessness

By · Registered Nutritionist & TCM Practitioner

Prep
3 min
Cook
0 min
Total
3 min
Makes
1 cup
Skin & Natural BeautyHeart & CirculationLiver WellnessSleep & CalmEnergy & Vitality
Tian Qi Flower Tea (Notoginseng Flower Tea)

Why people make this tea

Tian qi (also known as notoginseng or san qi) is one of the most celebrated herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, prized above all for its ability to support healthy blood circulation, stop bleeding, and dissolve blood stasis. The flower of the tian qi plant is gentler than the root — cooling rather than warming — and is particularly associated with clearing heat that has risen to the head, liver, and eyes. At Chinese herb shops, two types are commonly available: small stemless flower “pearls” (tian qi hua zhu), and larger stemmed flowers at a lower price. The three-year stemless variety is generally considered of higher quality than the two-year stemmed type, though both are useful.

This tea is one of the simplest possible preparations — just steep a few flowers in boiling water for three minutes. It has a mild, slightly bitter and clean flavour.

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Frequently asked questions

What is tian qi flower tea traditionally used for?

Tian qi (notoginseng) flower tea is traditionally associated with clearing liver heat, supporting healthy blood pressure, easing heat-related acne, relieving constipation from excess heat, and calming restlessness or irritability, as part of a balanced diet.

How is this tea made and how long does it take?

The preparation takes about 3 minutes. Place 6 to 8 dried tian qi flower heads in a cup, do a brief rinse with boiling water and discard it, then add fresh boiling water and steep for 3 minutes. The flowers can be re-steeped 2 to 3 times until the flavour is no longer present.

Is the tian qi flower warming or cooling in nature?

The flower of the tian qi plant is gentler and cooling in nature, unlike the root, which is warming. This is why care should be taken not to accidentally purchase ginseng flowers, which look nearly identical but are warming rather than cooling.

Is it appropriate to drink this tea during menstruation?

During menstruation, the file suggests switching to rose flower (mei gui hua), albizzia flower (he huan hua), or osmanthus flower (gui hua) tea instead, as these are nature-neutral or mildly warming and are considered more appropriate at that time.

What is the difference between stemless and stemmed tian qi flowers?

Stemless tian qi flower "pearls" (tian qi hua zhu) are from three-year plants and are generally considered of higher quality and more potent. Stemmed flowers are from two-year plants, cost less, but still have good effect. Both types are available at Chinese herb shops.

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