This is a fragrant, light, fruity and floral tea that is commonly used to help alleviate symptoms associated with menstruation, as well as for maintaining beauty by improving facial complexion.
The Chinese name is Yang Yan Hua Cha Yin 养颜花茶银 which translates into:
Yang Yan 养颜= Making the Face Beautiful
Hua Cha Yin 花茶银= Flower Tea of Silver
But out of simplicity, I just call it the Floral Beau-Tea. ;)
Many of the herbs in this tea are common food items and can easily be found online or at local health food stores. This is a nice, pleasant tasting, tea that is easy to brew and drink!
The original recipe consists only of chrysanthemum, rose buds, and jujube. However I have added a few extra ingredients for taste and additional health benefits!
🌼 Wild Chrysanthemum - Flos Chrysanthemi Indici (Yě Jú Huā 野菊花)
🌹 Rose - Flos Rosae Rugosae (Méi Guī Huā 玫瑰花)
Goji Berries - Fructus Lycii (Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ枸杞子)
Jujube - Fructus Jujube (Dà Zǎo大枣)
Honey
Optional:
Ginger - Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens (Shēng Jiāng 生姜)
Cinnamon Cortex - Cinnamomi (Ròu Guì 肉桂)
Licorice Root - Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gān Cǎo甘草)
Recipe:
20 g Chrysanthemum
4 g Rose Buds
5 g Goji Berries
6- 10 Jujubes
1 slice of Ginger
1 Cinnamon stick
2-3 pieces of Licorice root
20 oz of hot water
Measure out ingredients
Cut Jujubes in half to remove the seed. This helps to extract more of the sweetness from the Jujubes
Cut a 1/2 in slice of ginger, remove the peel
Gently rinse the Chrysanthemum and Rose Buds under running water
Add the ingredients to a small pot or sauce pan with a lid
Add the hot water
Cover the pot and simmer on low for 5 minutes
Strain the tea and pour into a cup
Add desired amount of honey (1-2 tablespoons is usually adequate)
Each herb used in Chinese Medicine has a different quality and purpose that when combined together, becomes greater than the sum of its parts. The herbs in this formula work together to: brighten and whiten skin, diminish dark spots, improve blood circulation, and regulate menstruation.
Roses:
promote movement of Qi = relieve uncomfortable feeling of chest/abdominal restriction
harmonize blood and increase blood circulation = alleviate pain
regulate menstruation = help with irregular menstrual cycles and alleviate PMS type pain (breast tenderness, aches, and cramps)
soothe the Liver = decrease gastrointestinal irritability (ie. gastritis)
Wild Chrysanthemum:
soothe symptoms associated with liver = calm irritability, dizziness, headache
decrease eye irritation = dry, itchy, red eyes, due to wind and
promote blood circulation
one of the top twelve remedies for systemic hypertension and coronary artery disease
help to decongest and move the lymphatic system
Jujube:
nourishes Spleen and Stomach Qi (energy) = helps with digestion
soothing the mind and reduce irritability
nourishing for blood
helps to increase endurance
aids the Liver's ability to filter toxic substances
Goji Berries:
Nourishes blood from Kidneys, Liver and Yin energy* = overall feeling of decreased vitality
back/knee aches and pains
mild, chronic abdominal pain
infertility and other genitourinary problems
nourish eyes and body's Jing-vital essence* = dizziness, blurry or decreased vision
help moisten Lungs = feeling of dryness or dry cough
Ginger:
helps with early stages of cold symptoms (chills, fevers, fatigue, runny nose)
warms the digestive system (upset stomach, vomiting)
helps decrease motion sickness
alleviates food poisoning from seafood
helps increase and support Qi flow in the body (especially the Qi responsible for immune system responses (Wei Qi) and distributing nutrients throughout the body (Ying Qi)
Cinnamon:
warms organs in the body (Kidneys, Spleen, and Heart)
strengthens Yang Energy and Ming Men Fire*
warms and alleviates pain from cold (joint pain and menstrual pain
assists with generation of blood and Qi
Licorice Root:
nourishes the Spleen and improves digestion
helps to relieve muscle spasms in abdomen and legs
moisten lungs, decreases phlegm and coughing
harmonizes herbal formulas
anti-aging
prevent drying of membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, genitals, lungs)
Yin, Yang, Jing, and Ming Men Fire are terms commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They will be explained in another blog :)
*Disclaimer
This blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and is NOT intended as medical advice. If you or any other person has a medical concern, please seek guidance from a medical professional.