Herbal & Flower Teas
Hawthorn, Sophora Flower and Cassia Seed Tea
Traditionally used to support the liver and lower blood lipids
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu once helped a relative’s helper who, after too much spicy, heaty food, had bleeding hemorrhoids and would not see a doctor — three days of sophora-flower tea and it settled, since sophora flower traditionally clears heat and cools the blood. The shops mostly sell the flower buds, called “huai mi,” lightly fragrant. Paired with hawthorn and dry-roasted cassia seed, this tea is traditionally well suited to caring for a fatty liver.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Those wanting gentle, traditional support for the liver and for lowering blood lipids and pressure.
- Not suitable during pregnancy.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Sophora flower buds (huai hua / huai mi): traditionally clear heat and cool the blood, and are associated with lowering blood pressure.
- Hawthorn (shan zha): traditionally aids digestion and is associated with lowering blood lipids.
- Cassia seed (jue ming zi): traditionally benefits the liver; it must be dry-roasted in a clean pan to release its flavour and properties.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn (shan zha) | 1 tbsp | |
| Sophora flower buds (huai hua) | 1 tbsp | |
| Cassia seed (jue ming zi) | 1 tbsp | Dry-roasted until fragrant |
Method
- Put all ingredients in a pot and rinse once with boiling water.
- Pour in fresh boiling water and steep for 8–10 minutes, then drink.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is slightly tart; it is traditionally said to lower blood lipids and pressure and to soothe a stagnant liver. But it is not for use during pregnancy.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (Kenny Chan): How much water should I use to steep the hawthorn and huai mi tea? Bro Niu: You can steep it in 250 ml of water, and re-steep until the flavour fades.
-
Q (Johnny): My wife has had redness on her chin that the dermatologist calls rosacea, with some eczema too. It worsens and itches badly as the weather dries. What can I make for her? Bro Niu: Try ~38 g each of mung beans and Job’s tears with 1 piece of kelp as a sweet soup, or 19 g lotus leaf with ~38 g mung beans cooked into congee, three batches a week, to help with rosacea and eczema. Keep the skin moisturized with a low-chemical cream, and avoid washing the face with very hot water.
Published November 22, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
