Herbal & Flower Teas
Rose and Lotus Leaf Tea
Traditionally supports weight management and helps clear summer heat
Why people make this tea
Nourilo is fond of flower teas that double as a daily pick-me-up — rose, jasmine, lotus leaf, lotus flower, roselle, bitter orange blossom. In this one he pairs several flowers with lotus leaf, a combination traditionally enjoyed by those watching their weight or managing high blood lipids. Lotus leaf is associated in tradition with clearing summer heat and supporting a lighter feeling; fresh lotus leaf is considered even better, and in summer he likes to cook fresh lotus leaf into congee.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Traditionally chosen by people managing their weight or high blood lipids, as a pleasant everyday tea.
- Pregnant women should not drink flower teas. Lotus leaf is cooling while rose is warming, so the blend is balanced — but Nourilo still advises skipping it during menstruation.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Rose buds (mei gui hua): Warming in nature; traditionally associated with moving qi and lifting the mood, balancing the cooling lotus leaf.
- Jasmine (mo li hua): Adds fragrance and is traditionally enjoyed to soothe and uplift.
- Bitter orange blossom (dai dai hua / neroli): Traditionally associated with moving qi, easing bloating and supporting weight management; mostly imported from Europe and the Americas.
- Lotus leaf (he ye): Traditionally associated with clearing summer heat and supporting weight management.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rose buds | 1 small pinch | |
| Jasmine flowers | 1 small pinch | |
| Bitter orange blossom | 1 small pinch | Substitute jasmine (su xin hua) if unavailable |
| Lotus leaf | ~7.5 g | About 1/6 of a whole dried leaf |
Method
- Snip the lotus leaf into small pieces and place it with the other ingredients in a pot.
- Rinse once with boiling water and pour off.
- Refill with boiling water, cover, and steep for about 7 minutes before serving.
Nourilo’s Tips
Bitter orange blossom (dai dai hua) is also called neroli; it is mostly imported and traditionally associated with moving qi, relieving bloating and supporting weight management. Pregnant women, however, should not drink flower teas.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (kay): For weight management, can I just steep un-roasted lotus leaf and rose? How much? Nourilo: Yes — use 2 tablespoons of snipped plain dried lotus leaf and 1 tablespoon of rose buds, rinse once with boiling water, refill and steep 5 minutes.
- Q (Mrs. Chen): Three months postpartum and breastfeeding — can I drink this tea? Nourilo: After childbirth you can drink flower teas, including this one, no problem.
- Q (Duo Duo): Can it be made without the orange blossom, or what flower can replace it? Nourilo: Without orange blossom, use jasmine (su xin hua) instead — though it won’t match the fragrance of orange blossom.
Published June 12, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
