Herbal & Flower Teas
Sweet-Cherry Hawthorn and Rose Tea
Traditionally used to soothe the liver, lift the mood, and calm the mind
Why people make this tea
Hawthorn usually means sour — so much so that hawthorn treats almost always need sugar. But Bro Niu found a sweet, non-sour kind at a farm-direct shop: tiny “sweet-cherry hawthorn” from the northeast, rarely seen, and a real bargain at twelve yuan a box. Brewed with rosebuds, it makes a tea traditionally associated with soothing the liver, lifting a low mood, and calming the mind. This variety tastes a bit like apple — not sour at all — so it’s gentle even for people with excess stomach acid. It’s also traditionally regarded as beneficial for those with high blood lipids or high blood pressure.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people who feel stressed, low, or restless and want a calming, fragrant cup; gentle enough for those with excess stomach acid
- Traditionally also regarded as helpful for poor digestion; sweeten lightly with honey or brown sugar if you like
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Sweet-cherry hawthorn (ying tao tian shan zha): traditionally aids digestion; this sweet variety is gentle on the stomach
- Rosebuds (mei gui hua): traditionally soothe the liver, ease a stuck mood, and calm the mind
Ingredients (1 cup)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet-cherry hawthorn | 6 to 8 pieces | washed, halved |
| Rosebuds | 1 tbsp | |
| Brown sugar | to taste | optional |
Method
- Wash the hawthorn and cut each in half.
- Simmer in 3 bowls of water for 20 minutes, reducing to 1 bowl.
- While still hot, add the rosebuds and brown sugar, cover, and steep 5 minutes. Drink.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is fragrant and lovely even without sugar, and is traditionally regarded as beneficial for people with poor digestion.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Mandy’s mum): I’ve made steamed apple with chuan bei four or five times for my son; he’s better and doesn’t cough awake at night, but still has some phlegm. Can I keep making it? Bro Niu: Yes, a few more batches is fine — it’s very mild with no real side effects.
- Q (Yi Mui): A friend in the UK hurt her tailbone in a fall; the doctor said it’s nothing, but it still hurts. Any food therapy? She can’t get these herbs in the UK. Bro Niu: A tailbone injury mostly has to heal on its own. If available, 3 qian tian qi, 5 qian chicken-blood vine, and 5 red dates in a chicken-breast soup help ease pain. With no herbs, see if there’s a tian qi tablet (Chinese patent medicine) to help move blood and clear stasis; otherwise a fish-maw chicken soup is also beneficial — keep the fish maw to about palm-size so it doesn’t sit heavy, 3 to 4 batches.
Published November 16, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
