Herbal & Flower Teas
Rose and Lotus Leaf Tea
Traditionally supports weight management and helps clear summer heat
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu is fond of flower teas that double as a daily pick-me-up — rose, jasmine, lotus leaf, lotus flower, roselle, bitter orange blossom. In this one he pairs several flowers with lotus leaf, a combination traditionally enjoyed by those watching their weight or managing high blood lipids. Lotus leaf is associated in tradition with clearing summer heat and supporting a lighter feeling; fresh lotus leaf is considered even better, and in summer he likes to cook fresh lotus leaf into congee.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Traditionally chosen by people managing their weight or high blood lipids, as a pleasant everyday tea.
- Pregnant women should not drink flower teas. Lotus leaf is cooling while rose is warming, so the blend is balanced — but Bro Niu still advises skipping it during menstruation.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Rose buds (mei gui hua): Warming in nature; traditionally associated with moving qi and lifting the mood, balancing the cooling lotus leaf.
- Jasmine (mo li hua): Adds fragrance and is traditionally enjoyed to soothe and uplift.
- Bitter orange blossom (dai dai hua / neroli): Traditionally associated with moving qi, easing bloating and supporting weight management; mostly imported from Europe and the Americas.
- Lotus leaf (he ye): Traditionally associated with clearing summer heat and supporting weight management.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rose buds | 1 small pinch | |
| Jasmine flowers | 1 small pinch | |
| Bitter orange blossom | 1 small pinch | Substitute jasmine (su xin hua) if unavailable |
| Lotus leaf | ~7.5 g | About 1/6 of a whole dried leaf |
Method
- Snip the lotus leaf into small pieces and place it with the other ingredients in a pot.
- Rinse once with boiling water and pour off.
- Refill with boiling water, cover, and steep for about 7 minutes before serving.
Bro Niu’s tips
Bitter orange blossom (dai dai hua) is also called neroli; it is mostly imported and traditionally associated with moving qi, relieving bloating and supporting weight management. Pregnant women, however, should not drink flower teas.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (kay): For weight management, can I just steep un-roasted lotus leaf and rose? How much? Bro Niu: Yes — use 2 tablespoons of snipped plain dried lotus leaf and 1 tablespoon of rose buds, rinse once with boiling water, refill and steep 5 minutes.
- Q (Mrs. Chen): Three months postpartum and breastfeeding — can I drink this tea? Bro Niu: After childbirth you can drink flower teas, including this one, no problem.
- Q (Duo Duo): Can it be made without the orange blossom, or what flower can replace it? Bro Niu: Without orange blossom, use jasmine (su xin hua) instead — though it won’t match the fragrance of orange blossom.
Published June 12, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
