Herbal Teas
Chrysanthemum, Hawthorn & Cassia Seed Tea (Ju Zha Jue Ming Yin)
Chrysanthemum, Hawthorn & Cassia Seed Tea is a classic lipid-lowering and blood-stasis-dispelling medicinal tea, also known as “Ju Zha Jue Ming Yin.” It is commonly used for wind-phlegm upward-attacking type hypertension and is suitable as an adjunct for weight management in patients with fatty liver accompanied by food stagnation. In this formula, chrysanthemum clears the Liver, improves vision, and lowers blood pressure; hawthorn invigorates blood, dispels stasis, and lowers lipids; cassia seeds moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. The three herbs combine cool and warm properties—cassia seeds and chrysanthemum are cooling, while hawthorn is warming—clearing heat without overly harming the stomach. It is suitable for daily conditioning in those with a heat-prone constitution or those who consume greasy foods. The tea is amber-colored, with the tangy taste of hawthorn blending with the fragrance of chrysanthemum, finishing with a clear sweet aftertaste. It is especially suitable for those with hyperlipidemia, mild hypertension, visual fatigue, and food stagnation with abdominal distension.
Main Ingredients
- Chrysanthemum flowers 5-10g
- Dried hawthorn slices 10-15g
- Cassia seeds (roasted) 10-15g
- Goji berries 5-10g
- Rock sugar or honey to taste
- Water 800-1000ml
Steps
Rinse 10-15g of roasted cassia seeds quickly. Lightly crush them with the back of a knife or a rolling pin to release active compounds. Roasted cassia seeds are preferred over raw ones—they release active compounds better and are less irritating to the stomach. Rinse 10-15g of dried hawthorn slices and 5-10g of chrysanthemum flowers quickly. If using 5-10g of goji berries, rinse and set aside.
Put the crushed cassia seeds, hawthorn slices, and chrysanthemum flowers (and goji berries, if using) into a teacup or thermos. Pour freshly boiled water (about 300-500ml) over the ingredients. Cover and steep for 15-20 minutes. Hawthorn is firm, so a slightly longer steeping time helps extract its active compounds.
Add rock sugar or honey to taste if desired. Consume 1 dose daily, drinking frequently as tea. Can be re-brewed 2-3 times until the flavor fades.
TCM Notes
Hawthorn (Shanzha) : Sour and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature; enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver meridians. Known for promoting digestion, resolving food stagnation, regulating qi, and dispelling blood stasis. Contains flavonoids that dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation, particularly helping to digest greasy foods and promote fat metabolism. Hawthorn is a traditional medicine-food homologous substance with digestion-promoting and lipid-lowering effects. Cassia Seeds (Juemingzi) : Bitter, sweet, and salty in taste, slightly cold in nature; enter the Liver and Large Intestine meridians. Known for clearing heat, improving vision, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. Contains anthraquinones (chrysophanol, physcion, etc.) that help lower cholesterol. Cassia seeds promote gastrointestinal motility and have a laxative effect. Chrysanthemum (Juhua) : Sweet and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature; enters the Lung and Liver meridians. Known for dispersing wind-heat, calming the Liver, improving vision, and clearing heat and toxins. Contains volatile oils and choline that help relieve eye fatigue. Synergistic Effect: Cassia seeds moisten the intestines and lower cholesterol; hawthorn invigorates blood, dispels stasis, promotes digestion, and lowers lipids; chrysanthemum clears the Liver, improves vision, and calms Liver yang. Together, they clear the Liver without harming the stomach, and promote digestion without depleting qi. Modern research has also confirmed that functional foods combining hawthorn, cassia seeds, and chrysanthemum have lipid-regulating effects. This tea is very low in calories – a purging and digestant-type medicinal tea.
Suitable for：Those with hyperlipidemia or fatty liver (adjunctive support) Those with mild hypertension, dizziness, and vertigo Those with food stagnation, abdominal distension, and indigestion after greasy meals Those with eye strain and dry tired eyes Those with constipation and difficult bowel movements Daily conditioning for those with a heat-prone constitution or greasy diet
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – cassia seeds and chrysanthemum are cooling in nature; those with spleen-stomach cold deficiency or prone to diarrhea should not consume long-term Those with hyperacidity or gastric ulcers – hawthorn promotes gastric acid secretion; use with caution Pregnant women – hawthorn has blood-activating effects and may promote uterine activity; avoid Those with hypotension – cassia seeds have blood pressure-lowering effects; avoid Women during menstruation – cold-natured herbs may cause qi and blood stagnation Breastfeeding women – consult a doctor before consuming Those with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or loose stools – cassia seeds moisten the intestines and may worsen symptoms Those with qi deficiency and loose stools – cassia seeds are slightly cold and may worsen discomfort Those allergic to hawthorn, cassia seeds, or chrysanthemum flowers Avoid consuming with crab – tannic acid in hawthorn can form precipitates with crab in the stomach, hindering digestion General population – not suitable for long-term excessive consumption; cassia seeds and chrysanthemum are cold in nature and long-term use may damage Spleen yang
