Herbal & Flower Teas
Rose and Jasmine (Su Xin) Flower Tea
Traditionally soothes the liver, eases tension and settles the stomach
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu admits even he gets exasperated sometimes — and when he does, he brews a cup of flower tea to take the edge off. This rose-and-jasmine tea is a long-loved remedy for a tense, knotted feeling: in the traditional view it soothes the liver, moves stuck qi and lifts a stagnant mood. It is also associated with easing the bloated stomach and acid reflux that so often come when emotions get bottled up.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people feeling tense, irritable or low, with a bloated stomach or acid reflux tied to stress.
- A gentle daily flower tea; if reflux is frequent or severe, also see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Rose buds (mei gui hua): traditionally soothe the liver, move qi and relieve a knotted mood; choose tightly furled, fragrant buds.
- Jasmine flower (su xin hua): also called yu fu rong; traditionally used for liver-qi stagnation and chest-and-stomach tension. Found in Chinese-medicine shops more than tea shops.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rose buds (mei gui hua) | ~11 g (3 qian) | choose tight, fragrant buds |
| Jasmine flower (su xin hua) | ~11 g (3 qian) | from a Chinese-medicine shop |
| Just-boiled water | 1 pot |
Method
- Put the rose buds and jasmine flowers into a pot.
- Pour over just-boiled water and steep about 7 minutes.
- Serve; you can keep topping up with hot water until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is quite helpful for people with acid reflux and can be drunk regularly. Choose roses with tightly furled, plump, fragrant buds. When you feel really worked up, brewing a fragrant flower tea — or simply smelling fragrant flowers or fruit — can help settle the mind.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Q): My mum was diagnosed with acid reflux and started medicine, but the pills leave her groggy and sleepy. What soup can help? If I can’t find jasmine (su xin hua), is there another flower tea suitable for her? Bro Niu: With acid reflux, never eat late-night snacks — ideally nothing between dinner and the next morning’s breakfast, which helps. You can drink a tea of a small pinch each of rose and osmanthus regularly.
- Q (yan): Can I add some burdock (niu bang) to this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add burdock; it is associated with soothing the throat and balancing hormones.
- Q (eva): What flower is su xin hua, really? Several tea-leaf shops didn’t know it. Bro Niu: Su xin hua is also called yu fu rong; it is sold in Chinese-medicine shops and is traditionally most useful for liver-qi stagnation and chest-area pain. Tea shops rarely carry it.
Published November 7, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
