3 Cassia Seed Tea Recipes to Aid Vision and Digestion

3 min read

By Wing Joo Loong Team

Key Takeaways

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers the liver to be closely connected with both digestion and eye health.
Cassia seed is a nourishing superfood that supports liver health and the smooth flow of liver Qi. It is especially beneficial in relieving vision-related symptoms and constipation.
It also regulates cholesterol and alleviates high blood pressure caused by hyperactivity of liver Yang.

Weary eyes? Feeling a little constipated? Perhaps a cup of soothing cassia seed tea might be just what you need. But wait, how is eye fatigue and the digestive system even connected?

The answer is: through the liver. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body, including the digestive system, especially our intestines. In addition, our liver is also closely connected to eye health through the liver meridian.

And cassia seed (决明子 jué míng zi) is a great superfood that can address liver imbalances to promote smooth flow of liver Qi. Learn more and get 3 simple tea recipes to get started.

Benefits of cassia seeds

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The cassia plant has been widely used as a natural remedy in various cultures for centuries, including Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. Cassia seed is a herb with cooling properties; while best known for promoting liver health, it boasts several other benefits that include:

Clearing liver heat and thereby alleviating high blood pressure, headache and dizziness caused by hyperactivity of the liver Yang
Dispelling wind-heat to relieve vision-related symptoms such as painful and red eyes, dryness in the eyes, blurry or dim vision and light sensitivity
Moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movement
Reducing and regulating cholesterol
Having antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties

Thus, cassia seeds are not suitable for pregnant women and individuals with a weak spleen and stomach, have low blood pressure or are currently suffering from loose stools due to Qi deficiency.

Easy recipes to brew cassia seeds tea

Bitter to taste with a mild sweet aftertaste, cassia seeds are mostly enjoyed in a herbal brew paired with other natural herbs such as chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, osmanthus, rose bud, hawthorn, lotus leaf, burdock root, wolfberry and red date.

All recipes here can serve 1-2 individuals.

Cassia seeds honey drink

This drink can help to clear vision and relieve constipation.

Ingredients:
2 tsp cassia seeds
Honey (amount as desired)
Preparation and brew time: 15-20 minutes

Roast the clean cassia seeds on a pan using low heat for 5-10 minutes till fragrant. The seeds should puff up slightly. Alternatively, you may also choose to bake the seeds in an oven.
Remove to cool.
Crush the seeds finely and then boil in water for 10 minutes.
Filter the residue and add honey as required.

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Cassia seeds chrysanthemum tea

This herbal tea can support healthy weight loss, improve eyesight and alleviate constipation.

Ingredients:
2 tsp cassia seeds
2 tsp chrysanthemum buds
5 hawthorn slices
5 red dates

Preparation and brew time: 15-20 minutes

Rinse herbs and slice red dates in halves and remove their seeds before use.
Add the cassia seeds, chrysanthemum buds, hawthorn and red dates in 500ml of water.
Bring to a boil and let it simmer under low heat for 15 minutes.
Add 1 tablespoon of wolfberries in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Let it cool a bit before adding some honey. Serve warm

Cassia seeds lemon tea

This brew helps to promote liver health, brighten eyes and detox the body for weight loss.

Ingredients:
1 tsp cassia seeds
½ a lemon
Preparation and brew time: 15 minutes