Herbal & Flower Teas
Prunella Chrysanthemum Tea (Xia Ku Cao Ju Hua Cha)
Traditionally clears the liver and brightens the eyes
Why people make this tea
If you stay up late often, Bro Niu says you can get the signs of “liver fire flaring up” — red, sore eyes, headache, dizziness. Steeping prunella (xia ku cao) with chrysanthemum makes a perfect everyday tea for that. In traditional thinking the liver “opens into the eyes,” so liver fire shows up as sore, inflamed eyes; prunella is associated with calming early inflammation, while chrysanthemum clears upper-body “wind-heat” and brightens the eyes year-round. Together they are said to drain liver fire, ease swelling and discomfort, and support healthy blood pressure.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who stay up late with red, sore, tired eyes, headache or dizziness; also enjoyed for blood-pressure support.
- Pleasant for young and old, and traditionally said to help children with “tan huo” lumps.
- Prunella is cooling: pregnant women and those with a cold, weak stomach (spleen-stomach deficiency) should not take it.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Prunella (xia ku cao): Traditionally associated with a notable calming effect on early inflammation; said to drain liver fire and reduce swelling.
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Clears upper-body “wind-heat” and is associated with clearing the liver and brightening the eyes; tai ju buds add a honeyed fragrance.
- Rock sugar: Softens and balances the flavour.
Ingredients (3 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prunella (xia ku cao) | ~18.75 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse |
| Chrysanthemum (ju hua) | ~11.25 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
| Rock sugar | to taste |
Method
- Soak and rinse the prunella; rinse the chrysanthemum.
- Simmer the prunella in about 6 cups of water for 30 minutes.
- Add the chrysanthemum and rock sugar and simmer a further 5 minutes, until reduced to 3 cups.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is fragrant and pleasant for all ages, and is also said to help children with “tan huo” lumps. Because prunella is cooling, pregnant women and those with a cold, weak stomach should not drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (JINJIN): Can I use luo han guo instead of rock sugar, and how long do I boil it? Bro Niu: Yes, use half a luo han guo and boil the same half hour.
- Q (Mon): My eyes water when I read or look at my phone in bed each morning, drying then seeping again until I get up — can I drink this tea? Bro Niu: Dry weather can cause watery, dry eyes; this can be used as a tonic. Blueberry supplements are also good for the eyes, and goji berry (gou qi zi) and black mulberry (sang shen zi) steeped as a tea (eating the leftover too) nourish the eyes.
- Q (杨太 / Mrs Yeung): My father has rheumatoid arthritis — can he drink this? Bro Niu: Yes, he can. Day to day, adzuki bean, raw and cooked job’s tears, and bai zhu can be simmered into a lean pork soup or congee. Keep following your doctor.
Published June 12, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
