Herbal Tea Recipes: Creative Ways to Enjoy Chinese Herbs and Spices

Looking for natural ways to reduce stress, boost immunity, or support digestion? Chinese herbal teas have been trusted for thousands of years as gentle yet powerful remedies rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In this guide, you’ll discover how to make delicious, healing herbal teas at home—complete with expert brewing tips, ingredient benefits, and the top 10 most-searched recipes loved by wellness seekers worldwide.

Why Chinese Herbal Teas Deserve a Place in Your Daily Routine

Chinese herbal teas go far beyond simple hydration or flavor. These ancient infusions are carefully crafted from roots, flowers, berries, and leaves to support the body's internal balance. Common benefits include:

• Strengthening the immune system

• Improving digestion and metabolism

• Calming the mind and body

• Clearing heat and toxins

• Nourishing Qi (vital energy) and blood

• Supporting respiratory, liver, and kidney function

With proper pairing, Chinese teas can be customized based on seasonal needs, your body constitution, or specific health goals.

Brewing Guide: How to Prepare Chinese Herbal Teas at Home

Follow these time-tested steps to extract the maximum therapeutic benefit and flavor from your herbs:

Basic Brewing Instructions:

1. Measure: Use 1 tbsp dried herb (or 3–5g) per 8–12 oz of water

2. Rinse: Briefly rinse herbs with cool water to remove dust

3. Combine: Place herbs and water into a glass or ceramic pot

4. Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 20–30 minutes

5. Strain & Serve: Strain and drink warm. Optionally sweeten with honey, goji berries, or dates

Tip: Roots, seeds, and bark may benefit from longer decoctions or double-boiling.

Chart: Common Chinese Herbs and Their Properties

Herb Name	Temperature	Category	Primary Benefits
Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua)	Cooling	Flower	Clears liver heat, brightens eyes
Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi)	Neutral	Berry	Nourishes blood, supports liver/kidney
Astragalus (Huang Qi)	Slightly Warm	Root	Tonifies Qi, boosts immunity
Dang Gui	Warm	Root	Nourishes blood, regulates menstruation
Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi)	Neutral	Berry	Calms Shen, astringes leakage
Hawthorn (Shan Zha)	Slightly Warm	Fruit	Promotes digestion, reduces food stagnation
Mint (Bo He)	Cooling	Leaf	Clears heat, soothes throat
Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)	Cooling	Leaf/Root	Detoxifying, clears liver heat
Suan Zao Ren	Neutral	Seed	Calms heart, aids sleep
Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel)	Warm	Peel	Regulates Qi, dries dampness

10 Chinese Herbal Tea Recipes

1. Calming Chrysanthemum & Goji Berry Tea

Benefits: Soothes the liver, supports vision, clears internal heat

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried chrysanthemum flowers

• 1 tbsp goji berries

Instructions:

1. Rinse herbs in cool water

2. Add to pot with 2 cups water

3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes

4. Strain and serve warm

5. Optional: sweeten with honey

2. Lung Detox Loquat Leaf Tea

Benefits: Moistens lungs, clears phlegm, soothes cough

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried loquat leaves

• 1 slice dried orange peel

Instructions:

1. Rinse herbs briefly

2. Simmer in 2 cups of water for 25 minutes

3. Strain and sip warm

3. Immune Support Astragalus Root Tea

Benefits: Strengthens immunity, builds energy (Qi)

Ingredients:

• 5g sliced astragalus root

• 2 red dates (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse herbs

2. Add to pot with 2 cups water

3. Bring to boil, then simmer 30 minutes

4. Strain and enjoy

4. Digestive Aid Ginger & Hawthorn Tea

Benefits: Stimulates digestion, eases bloating

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried hawthorn berries

• 3 slices fresh ginger

Instructions:

1. Rinse berries, slice ginger

2. Simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes

3. Strain and drink after meals

5. Stress Relief Schisandra Berry Tea

Benefits: Balances mood, supports adrenal function

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp schisandra berries

Instructions:

1. Rinse berries

2. Simmer gently for 20 minutes

3. Sweeten with honey if desired

6. Menstrual Comfort Dang Gui & Red Date Tea

Benefits: Warms blood, relieves PMS symptoms

Ingredients:

• 3 slices Dang Gui

• 5 red dates

Instructions:

1. Rinse all herbs

2. Simmer in 2 cups of water for 25 minutes

3. Strain and enjoy 1 week before menstruation

7. Liver Cleanse Dandelion & Mint Tea

Benefits: Cools liver heat, supports detox pathways

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried dandelion root

• 1 tsp dried mint leaves

Instructions:

1. Rinse and combine herbs

2. Steep in boiling water for 15–20 min

3. Strain and sip slowly

8. Sleep Support Suan Zao Ren Tea

Benefits: Calms Shen, eases insomnia

Ingredients:

• 5g sour jujube seeds (lightly roasted)

Instructions:

1. Dry-roast seeds for 3 min on low heat

2. Simmer in 2 cups water for 30 minutes

3. Strain and drink before bed

9. Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric & Licorice Tea

Benefits: Reduces inflammation, harmonizes digestion

Ingredients:

• ½ tsp turmeric powder

• 1 slice licorice root

• Pinch of black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in pot

2. Simmer 20 minutes

3. Strain and enjoy warm

10. Metabolism Boost Green Tea with Chen Pi

Benefits: Stimulates metabolism, reduces bloating

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp green tea leaves

• 1 tsp dried chen pi (aged tangerine peel)

Instructions:

1. Add herbs to teapot

2. Pour 8 oz hot (not boiling) water

3. Steep 3–5 min

4. Strain and enjoy

Creative Add-Ins to Elevate Your Tea Experience

• Goji Berries – Naturally sweet and eye-supportive

• Red Dates – Nourish blood and add depth

• Dried Tangerine Peel – Moves stagnant Qi and enhances aroma

• Honey – Moistens lungs, soothes throat

• Lemon or Ginger – Adds zing, digestive support

Tips for Daily Herbal Tea Enjoyment

• Rotate teas by season or symptom

• Use a glass teapot or thermos infuser for style and convenience

• Keep a tea journal to track benefits and preferences