Chrysanthemum & Cassia Seed Tea (Ju Hua Jue Ming Zi Cha)

Main Ingredients

• Cassia seeds (roasted) 10-15g
• Chrysanthemum flowers (Hangzhou white chrysanthemum or bud chrysanthemum) 5-10g
• Goji berries 5-10g
• Rock sugar or honey to taste
• Water 800-1000ml

Steps

1. 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 chrysanthemum flowers quickly. If using 5-10g of goji berries, rinse and set aside.

   

2. Put the crushed cassia seeds 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 10-15 minutes. The steeping time can be extended to 10 minutes for fuller extraction.

   

3. 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

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, obtusin, etc.), fatty acids, and volatile oils. Cassia seeds promote gastrointestinal motility and have a laxative effect. Modern research suggests blood pressure-lowering and lipid-lowering effects. Chrysanthemum Flowers (Juhua) : Sweet and bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature; enter the Lung and Liver meridians. Known for dispersing wind-heat, calming the liver, improving vision, and clearing heat and toxins. Contains volatile oils (borneol, camphor, chrysanthenone, etc.), flavonoids (luteolin glycoside, acaciin, etc.), and organic acids (chlorogenic acid, etc.). Synergistic Effect: Cassia seeds clear Liver fire and moisten intestinal dryness; chrysanthemum flowers clear the Liver, improve vision, and clear heat. Together, they multiply the liver-clearing and vision-improving effects while also promoting bowel movements. This tea is very low in calories – a purging-type medicinal tea. Goji Berries (optional) : Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enter the Liver and Kidney meridians. Nourish the liver and kidneys, and improve vision, enhancing the liver-nourishing and vision-improving effects.

Suitable for：Those with red swollen eyes, blurred vision, and poor eyesight due to excessive Liver fire Those with eye strain and dry tired eyes (computer and phone users) Those with constipation and difficult bowel movements Those with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (adjunctive support) Those with irritability, thirst, and excessive sweating General population for summer heat relief and daily wellness

Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – both cassia seeds and chrysanthemum are cold in nature and may damage the spleen and stomach, worsening diarrhea and abdominal pain Pregnant women – the tea is cold in nature; TCM considers cold foods unfavorable for pregnancy Women during menstruation – cold-natured herbs may cause qi and blood stagnation, leading to menstrual disorders or dysmenorrhea Breastfeeding women – consult a doctor before consuming Those with hypotension – cassia seeds have blood pressure-lowering effects Those with abdominal pain, diarrhea, or loose stools – cassia seeds moisten the intestines and may worsen symptoms Those with gastric ulcers or indigestion – use with caution Those allergic to cassia seeds or chrysanthemum flowers Avoid combining with cold-natured herbs like gardenia or coptis Avoid consuming with coffee, iced drinks, beer, or liquor Avoid consuming with chicken, celery, pork, duck, crucian carp, or crab General population – not suitable for long-term excessive consumption