Herbal & Flower Teas
Hawthorn, Cassia Seed and Virgate Wormwood Tea
traditionally associated with supporting liver health and healthy blood lipid levels
Why people make this tea
Hawthorn berries are available fresh and dried from Chinese grocers and health-food stores, and they are one of those rare ingredients that are genuinely affordable and genuinely useful. In Chinese food-therapy tradition, hawthorn is associated with supporting cardiovascular circulation and promoting healthy digestion of fats. Paired with cassia seed and virgate wormwood — two herbs long valued for their liver-supporting properties — this tea has been a popular home remedy for people who want to look after their liver and keep blood lipids in a healthy range, including those concerned about fatty liver.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people who want everyday support for liver wellness, healthy cholesterol, or those managing fatty liver or elevated uric acid
- Fresh hawthorn may be used in larger quantity (around 60 g); dried berries work well at the stated amount
- Those with cold or weak digestive constitutions should use with care; always consult a doctor for existing liver conditions
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Hawthorn (shan zha): Traditionally associated with stimulating circulation, aiding fat digestion and supporting cardiovascular health; commonly used in slimming teas and anti-ageing blends
- Cassia seed (jue ming zi): Long regarded in Chinese herbalism as calming to the liver, supportive of healthy blood pressure and cholesterol, and mildly antibacterial
- Virgate wormwood (mian yin chen): One of the classic liver-support herbs in the Chinese tradition, commonly used in formulas for hepatitis and jaundice; considered a particularly gentle yet effective choice
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawthorn berries, dried (shan zha) | 18 g (~5 qian) | Fresh berries: use ~60 g |
| Cassia seeds (jue ming zi) | 18 g (~5 qian) | Available at Chinese herb shops |
| Virgate wormwood herb (mian yin chen) | 18 g (~5 qian) | Available at Chinese herb shops |
| Water | 5 bowls (~1 litre) | Reduces to 2 bowls |
Method
- Rinse all three ingredients briefly under cold water.
- Place in a pot with 5 bowls of water (approximately 1 litre).
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 40 minutes until about 2 bowls of liquid remain.
- Strain and serve warm.
Bro Niu’s tips
If you can find fresh hawthorn berries, increase the amount to around 60 g for this same recipe. Beyond fatty liver and high blood lipids, this tea is also well suited to people with elevated uric acid. For hepatitis patients, a course of 10 to 15 consecutive days is traditionally suggested before assessing results.
Published June 4, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
