Herbal Teas
Gynostemma & Cassia Seed Tea (Jiaogulan Juemingzi Cha)
Gynostemma & Cassia Seed Tea is a classic lipid-lowering, vision-improving, qi-benefiting, and bowel-promoting health tea. Gynostemma is sweet and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, entering the Spleen and Lung meridians, known as “Southern Ginseng,” with the effects of benefiting qi, strengthening the spleen, resolving phlegm, clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing lipids. Cassia seeds are sweet, bitter, and salty in taste, slightly cold in nature, entering the Liver and Large Intestine meridians, known for clearing the Liver, improving vision, calming Liver yang, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. Together, gynostemma benefits qi and lowers lipids while regulating metabolism, and cassia seeds clear the Liver, improve vision, and promote bowel movements—one tonifies, the other clears, regulating the internal environment while relieving external discomfort. The tea is amber-colored, with gynostemma’s slightly bitter-sweet aftertaste and cassia seeds’ light fragrance.
Main Ingredients
- Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) 5-10g
- Cassia seeds (roasted) 10-15g
- Green tea 3g
- 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. Rinse 5-10g of gynostemma quickly.
Put the crushed cassia seeds and gynostemma into a teacup or thermos. Pour freshly boiled water (about 300-500ml) over the ingredients. Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes.
Add rock sugar or honey to taste if desired. Consume 1 dose daily, drinking frequently as tea. Can be re-brewed 2-3 times.
TCM Notes
Gynostemma (Jiaogulan) : Sweet and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature; enters the Spleen and Lung meridians. Known for benefiting qi, strengthening the spleen, resolving phlegm, clearing heat, detoxifying, and reducing lipids. Contains gypenosides, water-soluble amino acids, flavonoids, vitamins, trace elements, and minerals, with lipid-lowering, blood pressure-regulating, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying effects. Gypenosides can help lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Cassia Seeds (Juemingzi) : Sweet, bitter, and salty in taste, slightly cold in nature; enter the Liver and Large Intestine meridians. Known for clearing the Liver, improving vision, calming Liver yang, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. Contains anthraquinones (chrysophanol, physcion, etc.) that promote digestion, relieve eye fatigue, and stimulate intestinal motility. Synergistic Effect: Gynostemma benefits qi and lowers lipids; cassia seeds clear the Liver and moisten the intestines. Together, they regulate the internal environment while relieving external discomfort—ideal for daily consumption by those in sub-health states. This tea is very low in calories—a tonifying-and-clearing medicinal tea.
Suitable for：Those with hyperlipidemia or fatty liver (adjunctive support) Those with hypertension (adjunctive support) Those with eye strain and dry tired eyes Those with constipation and difficult bowel movements Those in sub-health states needing daily wellness support Those with food stagnation and abdominal distension after greasy meals
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – gynostemma is slightly cold and may damage Spleen yang; those with spleen-stomach cold deficiency should not consume large amounts Pregnant women – cassia seeds stimulate uterine smooth muscle and may increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labor Those with hypotension – cassia seeds have blood pressure-lowering effects Those with diarrhea or loose stools – cassia seeds moisten the intestines and may worsen symptoms Those with gastric ulcers – cassia seeds promote gastric acid secretion Women during menstruation – cold-natured herbs may cause qi and blood stagnation Breastfeeding women – consult a doctor before consuming Those allergic to gynostemma or cassia seeds General population – not suitable for long-term excessive consumption; gynostemma is cold in nature and long-term use may damage yang qi
