Mugwort, hawthorn & brown sugar tea
Warming mugwort, tangy hawthorn, ginger and brown sugar — a cosy afternoon cup to keep the blood moving.
- 25 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Blood Stasis means sluggish circulation — cold hands and feet, period pain, a dull complexion — and Qingming's damp chill slows the blood further. Mugwort warms the channels, hawthorn disperses stasis, and ginger with brown sugar warms you and keeps the blood moving — far better than an iced drink.
Method
Prep 5 min · Cook 20 min- 1Give the mugwort and hawthorn a quick rinse; slice the ginger, skin on.
- 2Put everything except the sugar in a pan with 800 ml water, bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 15 minutes.
- 3Strain and stir in the brown sugar until dissolved.
- 4Pour into a flask and sip it warm in two servings over the afternoon.
Cautions
- Not for pregnancy; pause it while your period is heavy.
- Hawthorn is sour — don't drink it on an empty stomach if you have acid reflux or stomach pain.
Chef's tips
- Dried mugwort and hawthorn slices are sold at Chinese herbal shops; if using fresh mugwort, use 15 g.
The TCM view
Mugwort is pungent, bitter and warm, warming the channels and easing pain; hawthorn is sour, sweet and slightly warm, aiding digestion and dispersing stasis; ginger is pungent and warm; brown sugar is sweet and warm and gently moves blood. Blood flows when warm — this cup warms and unblocks without being harsh.
