Lotus tea for visitors in Beihai park

On the south gate square of Beihai park, tea makers in traditional costumes are displaying skills of making tea. Visitors passing by can all get a cup of lotus tea. The tea makers put six lotus flowers in an earthenware pot, and then add 50ml water. After the water boiling for 3 minutes, lotus tea is done. The makers told people that the flower is very famous in Chinese medicine. Eight parts of the lotus plant are used for their botanical medicine qualities. The flower is known to treat bleeding disorders (i.e. bloody noses) and often used for irritability and fevers. The stamen of the lotus flower also has healing qualities. One use in Traditional Chinese Medicine is to reduce excessive dreaming. The lotus tea can effectively relieve the internal heat of people in hot summer days.