Herbal & Flower Teas
Three-Flower Honey Tea (San Hua Mi Cha)
traditionally used to soothe liver qi stagnation, ease emotional tension, and support a calmer mood
Why people make this tea
The strains of lockdowns, uncertainty, and disrupted plans have left many people — especially younger adults — feeling anxious and low. When external circumstances feel out of our control, it helps to focus on what we can do: move a little, eat well, and seek connection. Bro Niu suggests 30 minutes of daily movement, a diet that includes mood-friendly foods (dark chocolate, avocado, banana, nuts, green tea), and this gentle floral tea as everyday support. In traditional Chinese medicine, the low mood characterised by sighing frequently, difficulty concentrating, emotional restlessness, and a sense of being mentally foggy is often attributed to “liver qi stagnation” — and fragrant flowers are the classic remedy for it.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those feeling emotionally tense, easily irritable, mentally foggy, or prone to frequent sighing
- Suitable for both men and women; a pleasant daily wellness tea
- Not suitable for pregnant women
- For persistent or serious depression or anxiety: this tea is a gentle complement, not a treatment — please see a doctor or mental health professional
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Rose buds (mei gui hua): Fragrant and warming; traditionally associated with moving qi and blood, lifting mood, and easing the emotional effects of pent-up tension
- Silktree albizzia flower (he huan hua): Known as the “happiness flower” in Chinese tradition; classically used to calm the spirit, ease anxiety, and support restful sleep
- White chrysanthemum (bai ju hua): Cooling and clarifying; traditionally used to clear liver heat, ease headaches, and calm the mind; particularly helpful when tension manifests as irritability or eye discomfort
Ingredients (1–2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried rose buds | 1 tablespoon | Pink, red, or purple rose varieties all work |
| Silktree albizzia flower (he huan hua) | 1 tablespoon | Available from Chinese herb shops; the buds or dried flower clusters |
| White chrysanthemum | 1 tablespoon | Use dried whole flower heads |
| Raw honey | To taste | Add after brewing; do not boil honey |
Method
- Place all three flowers into a teapot.
- Pour a small amount of boiling water over them, swirl briefly, and discard — this washes the flowers.
- Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot. Cover and steep for about 7 minutes.
- Pour into a cup, allow to cool slightly, then stir in honey to taste.
- Drink warm. The flowers can be re-steeped once.
Bro Niu’s tips
Some experts suggest that obsessively following news and social media during difficult times can worsen anxiety and depressive feelings. If you notice that the news cycle is unsettling you, it may be worth limiting how much you consume — and brewing a quiet cup of this tea instead. Persistent emotional struggles warrant professional support; this tea is a daily companion, not a solution on its own. Silktree albizzia flower (he huan hua) looks like a cluster of silky threads when in bloom — the dried buds from a Chinese herb shop are what you want here.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Karen): What is the English name for silktree albizzia flower (he huan hua)? Bro Niu: The English botanical name is Silktree Albizziae Flower (Albizia julibrissin). In the photo you can see the dried buds — when the flower opens fully it looks like a puff of fine silky threads.
Published August 4, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
