Herbal & Flower Teas
Amomum and Osmanthus Tea
Traditionally used to move qi, calm the stomach and ease stomach discomfort
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu once saw a few osmanthus trees in full bloom in the park — white flowers rather than gold, likely the silver kind, with a heavier fragrance. It reminded him of the candied osmanthus from the dried-goods shop, made from golden osmanthus, sweet and aromatic. He used to love osmanthus cakes and dumplings, but eats less sweet food now; brewing osmanthus as a tea is still lovely. Osmanthus traditionally supports the spleen, resolves phlegm, settles the liver and lifts the appetite and spirits. Paired with fragrant amomum, this tea is traditionally good for stomach pain that comes when stress affects the stomach.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for those with sluggish digestion or stomach discomfort linked to stress; warming and calming.
- Pregnant women should not drink this flower tea.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Amomum (sha ren): fragrant and traditionally said to move qi and ease stomach pain.
- Osmanthus flowers (gui hua): traditionally support the spleen, resolve phlegm, settle the liver and lift the appetite and spirits.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amomum (sha ren) | 1 tbsp | — |
| Osmanthus flowers | 1 tbsp | — |
Method
- Put both ingredients into a teapot and rinse once with boiling water.
- Pour in fresh boiling water.
- Cover and steep 5 minutes, then drink.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is fragrant and calming, traditionally helping to move qi, ease pain, encourage gastric juices and warm the stomach and body. Although amomum is traditionally said to steady a pregnancy, pregnant women should not drink this flower tea.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (mei mei): I have rectal bleeding and will have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy, plus a haemorrhoid ligation; I feel anxious. Most mornings after a bowel movement I feel mild discomfort and need to go again, passing only a little, 2–3 times. What soups suit before and after the procedures? Bro Niu: Stress or an underlying qi weakness may make the bowels sluggish. You can brew sophora flower (huai hua, 3 qian) as a tea, which helps stop haemorrhoid bleeding. Eat plenty of eggplant, which traditionally moves blood and eases swelling — best steamed, torn open with chopsticks and seasoned. After the procedure, a moistening papaya, snow-fungus and fig sweet soup is good for soothing the bowels.
Published January 22, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
