Tonic Drinks & Waters
Hawthorn Twin-Flower Honey Drink
Traditionally associated with supporting healthy blood pressure, blood lipids and cholesterol
Why people make this drink
High blood pressure is one of the most common troubles of later life, and left unmanaged it is a leading risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Bro Niu offers this gentle sour-sweet tea as a daily comfort: hawthorn, honeysuckle and chrysanthemum simmered together and sweetened with honey. In traditional food therapy it is associated with invigorating the blood, clearing richness, and supporting healthy blood pressure, lipids and cholesterol.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Older adults wanting a pleasant daily tea for blood-pressure, lipid and cholesterol support; said to help with dizziness, dryness, sore throat and fatty liver
- Hawthorn is warm in nature, so the tea is not cold-natured and suits most constitutions
- Pregnant women should not drink it; those on blood-pressure medication may still drink it but should use less hawthorn (about 3 qian); diabetics should skip the honey and sweeten instead with a little monk fruit or a few dates; those with excess stomach acid should take it after meals
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Hawthorn (shan zha): warm and sour; traditionally invigorates the blood, resolves stasis and helps the body cope with rich, greasy food.
- Honeysuckle (yin hua): cooling; traditionally associated with clearing heat.
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): traditionally said to calm the liver, brighten the eyes and clear heat; any of hang ju, gong ju or tai ju works.
Ingredients (2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn (shan zha) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Use ~3 qian if on BP medication |
| Honeysuckle (yin hua) | 5 qian (~19 g) | |
| Chrysanthemum (ju hua) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Hang ju, gong ju or tai ju all fine |
| Pure honey (feng mi) | to taste | Add only after the tea cools a little |
Method
- Rinse the hawthorn, honeysuckle and chrysanthemum.
- Simmer in 2 bowls of water for about 15 minutes.
- Strain off the dregs. The same herbs may be simmered a second time.
- Let the tea cool slightly, then stir in honey to taste and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Honey is rich in vitamin C and active compounds that boiling water can destroy — wait 5 to 6 minutes for the tea to cool before stirring it in so you keep most of the goodness. Diabetics can skip the honey and add a little monk fruit or a few dates instead.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Cola): Can I drink this tea if I have excess stomach acid? Bro Niu: Hawthorn is not ideal for excess stomach acid, but taken after meals it should be fine.
- Q (concerned reader): Can a person with serious diabetes drink this? Bro Niu: A diabetic can drink this tea, but skip the honey. Add 1/6 of a monk fruit, or a few dates, to make it tastier without raising blood sugar much.
- Q (Jane): Which chrysanthemum should I use, and when do I add the honey? Bro Niu: Hang ju, gong ju or tai ju are all fine. Add the honey once the tea has cooled for a few minutes, so its vitamin C and active substances are preserved.
Published April 8, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
