Albizia flower and lily bulb tea
Calming albizia flowers steeped with lily bulb and red dates and finished with honey — a soothing cup for restless, unsettled days.
- 30 min
- Serves 2
- Steep
- Easy
Why it suits you: Start of Autumn is still muggy, but autumn's melancholy energy is stirring, and a Qi-stagnant constitution is prone to low moods, poor sleep and irritability. Albizia flowers relieve constraint and calm the spirit, and lily bulb clears the heart and settles the mind — a cup in the afternoon or evening helps you unwind.
Method
Prep 15 min · Cook 15 min- 1Soak the dried lily bulb for 15 minutes; give the albizia flowers a quick rinse.
- 2Put the lily bulb and red dates in a pan with the water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- 3Turn off the heat, add the albizia flowers and steep for 5 minutes. Strain, let it cool until warm and stir in the honey.
Cautions
- Avoid albizia flowers if you're pregnant; lily bulb is cooling, so drink less if you have a cold-type cough or loose stools.
Chef's tips
- Find albizia flowers at Chinese herbal shops; they only need steeping, not boiling. An evening cup can help you relax before bed.
The TCM view
Albizia flowers are sweet and neutral, relieving constraint, calming the spirit and regulating qi. Lily bulb is sweet and slightly cold, nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, clearing the heart and calming the spirit. Red dates nourish blood and calm the mind, and honey moistens dryness. Relieves constraint and calms the spirit — suited to Qi stagnation.
