Herbal & Flower Teas
Hawthorn, Rose, Goji and Chrysanthemum Tea
Traditionally used to soothe the liver, clear heat and brighten the eyes
Why people make this tea
A friend of Bro Niu’s had been working straight through their days off — face dull and tired, eyes red and sore, grumbling about how hard it is to make a living. To Bro Niu that looked like a touch of “liver qi” feeling pent-up and stagnant, with heat rising to the eyes. So he put together this gentle tea, traditionally used to ease a stressed liver and brighten tired eyes, with the bonus of supporting circulation and a fresher complexion.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people who are stressed, run-down, with a dull complexion and tired, red eyes; also a pleasant tea for those minding blood pressure and weight
- Pregnant women should not drink herbal teas; hawthorn especially is not suitable in pregnancy
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Hawthorn (shan zha): traditionally eases bloating and indigestion and supports circulation
- Rose buds (mei gui hua): used to soothe the liver, move qi and lift the mood, and is associated with a brighter complexion
- Tea chrysanthemum buds (tai ju): traditionally clear heat and brighten the eyes
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): long associated with supporting the liver and the eyes
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn | 1 small pinch | |
| Rose buds | 1 small pinch | |
| Goji berries | 1 small pinch | |
| Tea chrysanthemum buds | 1 small pinch |
Method
- Place all ingredients in a teapot. Rinse once with boiling water and pour it off.
- Refill with boiling water, cover and steep 5–7 minutes. Drink. You can keep topping up with hot water until the tea runs pale.
Bro Niu’s tips
Besides being kind to the eyes, this tea is associated with supporting healthy fat metabolism and blood pressure, so it suits those minding the “three highs.” But pregnant women should not use herbal teas, and hawthorn in particular is unsuitable.
Published April 6, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
