Herbal Teas
Lotus Leaf, Hawthorn & Cassia Seed Tea (He Zha Jue Ming Cha)
Lotus Leaf, Hawthorn & Cassia Seed Tea is a classic health tea for lowering lipids, supporting weight management, promoting digestion, and clearing the Liver. Lotus leaf clears summer heat, transforms dampness, and raises clear yang; hawthorn promotes digestion, resolves food stagnation, regulates qi, and dispels blood stasis; cassia seeds clear the Liver, improve vision, and moisten the intestines. Together, lotus leaf transforms dampness and lowers turbidity, hawthorn promotes digestion and lowers lipids, and cassia seeds moisten the intestines and clear the Liver. The tea is amber-colored, with the tangy taste of hawthorn, the fragrance of lotus leaf, and a sweet aftertaste from cassia seeds. It is especially suitable for those who consume greasy foods, have elevated blood lipids, are overweight, experience constipation, or have eye strain.
Main Ingredients
- Dried lotus leaf 5-10g
- Dried hawthorn slices 10-15g
- Cassia seeds (roasted) 10-15g
- 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 dried lotus leaf quickly and cut or tear into small pieces; rinse 10-15g of dried hawthorn slices quickly.
Put the crushed cassia seeds, lotus leaf pieces, and hawthorn slices 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. Best consumed after meals.
TCM Notes
Lotus Leaf: Bitter and astringent in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Liver, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Known for clearing summer heat, transforming dampness, raising clear yang, and cooling blood to stop bleeding. Contains nuciferine, flavonoids, and other active compounds that help regulate lipid metabolism and clear summer heat. 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, organic acids, and triterpenes that help promote digestion, improve blood circulation, and support lipid management. Hawthorn is especially effective for digesting greasy meat and food stagnation. 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, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. Contains anthraquinones (chrysophanol, physcion, etc.) that help lower cholesterol and promote gastrointestinal motility. Modern research suggests auxiliary blood pressure-lowering and lipid-lowering effects. Synergistic Effect: Lotus leaf transforms dampness and lowers turbidity; hawthorn promotes digestion and lowers lipids; cassia seeds clear the Liver, improve vision, and moisten the intestines. Together, they promote digestion without harming the body’s integrity, and clear the Liver and lower lipids gently. 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 who are overweight or managing weight Those with food stagnation, abdominal distension, and indigestion after greasy meals Those with constipation and difficult bowel movements Those with hypertension (adjunctive support) Those with eye strain and dry tired eyes General population after greasy meals or for summer heat relief
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – lotus leaf and cassia seeds are cooling in nature; may worsen abdominal pain and diarrhea Those with hyperacidity or gastric ulcers – hawthorn promotes gastric acid secretion and may worsen acid reflux and stomach pain Pregnant women – hawthorn has blood-activating effects, and cassia seeds stimulate uterine smooth muscle; avoid Those with hypotension – cassia seeds have auxiliary blood pressure-lowering effects; avoid long-term use 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 allergic to lotus leaf, hawthorn, or cassia seeds Avoid consuming with crab – tannic acid in hawthorn may form indigestible precipitates with crab General population – not suitable for long-term excessive consumption; lotus leaf and cassia seeds are cold in nature and may damage Spleen yang
