Herbal & Flower Teas
Lemon Verbena, Mint and Stevia Tea
Traditionally used to ease water retention and support digestion
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu picked up some lemon verbena at a herb-tea shop and brewed it — fragrant and lovely, no wonder it is nicknamed the “herb sent by the gods.” Its scent is traditionally calming to the nerves and is said to help ease headache and nausea; drunk after a meal it is associated with smoother digestion and a happier gut. Paired with a little mint and stevia, it is especially favoured by those who tend to puffiness or heaviness in the lower body.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for those prone to lower-body puffiness or water retention, and as a gentle after-meal tea.
- Stevia makes it sweet without sugar — handy for those watching sugar or weight.
- Severe or persistent swelling should be checked by a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lemon verbena (ning meng ma bian cao): traditionally calming and digestion-supporting; associated with easing puffiness.
- Mint (bo he): light and refreshing, traditionally helps move things along.
- Stevia leaf (tian ju ye): naturally sweet, used as a sugar substitute — suitable for those minding sugar or weight.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon verbena | 1 small pinch | |
| Mint | 1 small pinch | |
| Stevia leaf | 1 small pinch | 3–4 leaves is plenty |
Method
- Put all the ingredients in a pot.
- Pour in boiling water and steep, covered, about 5 minutes.
- Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Stevia leaf is naturally very sweet — just three or four leaves give enough sweetness. It works as a sugar substitute, handy for people watching their sugar or weight.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Nancy): I live in Australia and cannot find lemon verbena (柠檬马鞭草). Do you have the English name? Bro Niu: Lemon verbena is “Lemon verbena,” botanical name Aloysia triphylla. It should be available in Australia.
- Q (reader): The pharmacy said they only have plain verbena, not lemon verbena, and that its use is anti-inflammatory, not for water retention. Bro Niu: Lemon verbena and plain verbena are of the same family with broadly similar effects — easing migraine, cleansing the gut, slimming, moving the blood and lifting low mood. Paired with mint and stevia it helps with puffiness. You should buy it at a herbal-tea shop — why look in a pharmacy?
- Q (Emily): My water retention has worsened over the years. Any other food remedies? Bro Niu: If swelling is severe, see a doctor to check the kidneys or thyroid. Keep salt low; chi xiao dou ~38 g and yi mi ~38 g in a winter-melon and carp soup is effective for puffiness (any fish works if you cannot find carp).
Published June 17, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
