Herbal & Flower Teas
Colored Chrysanthemum Honey Tea (Cai Ju Mi Cha)
traditionally associated with clearing liver heat, supporting eye comfort, and calming the mind
Why people make this tea
Tibetan colored chrysanthemum is a naturally multicolored, wild-harvested bloom from the plateau — not the dyed variety sometimes encountered in the market. One steep produces a fragrant, lightly sweet tea with a gentle, refreshing quality. Traditional wisdom associates chrysanthemum broadly with dispersing wind and clearing heat from the liver channel — the liver being the organ most closely linked, in Chinese medicine, with the health of the eyes. So a cup of chrysanthemum tea is something people reach for when their eyes feel hot, tired, or strained after a long day. The honey addition softens the slightly bitter edge and makes it more soothing.
This is also a pleasant tea to have before bed if your mind is a little wired — its calming quality can support a smoother transition to sleep.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for adults with overworked, irritated, or strained eyes; those with minor digestive sluggishness; and those who find it difficult to unwind at night
- Particularly appropriate for people who experience mild premenstrual tension or irregular cycles, as chrysanthemum is traditionally noted for this benefit
- Pregnant women should not drink this tea — chrysanthemum is cooling and not considered suitable during pregnancy
- Children are not generally recommended to drink this tea regularly, as it is not a standard beverage for young ones
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Colored chrysanthemum (cai ju): Naturally wild-growing on the Tibetan plateau; in traditional food therapy chrysanthemum disperses wind, clears heat, calms the liver, and brightens the eyes; it is also associated with supporting skin clarity and easing anxiety
- Honey: Gently moistening, anti-inflammatory, and harmonizing; softens the slightly cooling, slightly bitter quality of the chrysanthemum and makes the tea pleasant to drink regularly
Ingredients (1 cup)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colored chrysanthemum flowers | 2–3 blooms | Use natural wild-harvested, not dyed |
| Honey | To taste | Stir in after steeping |
Method
- Place the chrysanthemum blooms in a cup or small teapot.
- Pour a little boiling water over them first to rinse, then discard that water.
- Add fresh boiling water and steep for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in honey to taste and enjoy warm.
- The blooms can typically be steeped one more time.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is cooling in nature, so while it is excellent for clearing heat from tired eyes and calming an overactive mind, it is not something to drink every single day long-term — especially if you tend to run cold or have a sensitive stomach. Two to three times a week is a comfortable rhythm for most people. If you have trouble sleeping, try drinking a cup about an hour before bed. Colored chrysanthemum is available at Chinese or Asian herb shops and online.
Published August 29, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
