Callicarpa pilosissima

Ingredients per serving (about 1 cup tea):
- 3 g of dried young leaves (or mixed aerial parts) of Callicarpa pilosissima
- 200 mL fresh water
optional sweetener

Preparation:
- Heat water to a gentle boil. Remove from heat, add the dried plant material, cover and steep for 5–8 minutes. Strain.
- Taste is slightly astringent; a small amount of honey or sugar can be added if desired.

Storage and use:
- Store the strained tea in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and consume within 12–24 hours.

Amounts and times for general wellness use:
- Leaves or aerial parts tea: Use about 1.5–3 g of dried material per cup (≈200–250 mL water); steep 5–10 minutes.
- Bark/root decoction: Simmer about 2–4 g of bark or 1–3 g of root pieces in 200 mL water for 10–15 minutes, then cool and strain.

Functional aspects and safety:
The plant is a common component of local remedies to address colds with fever and cough, digestive complaints (nausea, indigestion, dysentery), and blood‑related conditions (e.g., “blood cooling” or bruising). Leaves and aerial parts are often taken as infusions; decoctions of bark or roots are used when stronger astringency or sustained effects are desired. In villages across Taiwan, eastern Thailand, and parts of northern Vietnam (district health records, 2005–2012), C. pilosissima remains a familiar “tea‑herb” for mild ailments and daily refreshment.

Key constituents:
Leaves and aerial parts typically contain flavonoids such as luteolin, quercetin and its glycosides, as well as chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, and verbascoside; terpenoids and essential‑oil components have also been detected. These compounds can explain mild antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory effects that align with the plant’s traditional uses.

Traditional preparation examples:
- Leaves tea (Taiwan): 3 g dried leaves; 200 mL just‑boiled water; steep 5–8 minutes.
- Bark decoction (eastern Thailand): 3 g small bark pieces; simmer in 200 mL water 10–12 minutes; cool and strain.
- Aerial‑part maceration (northern Vietnam): 10 g chopped leaves/aerial parts; cover with 100 mL 40% ethanol; shake daily for 10 days; strain; then dilute 1 part macerate with 3–5 parts water before drinking small doses.

Safety notes and modern relevance:
Do not exceed mild use. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid this plant, and those with liver or kidney disease should consult a professional. Caution with blood‑thinning medications and during active bleeding; avoid if allergic to Callicarpa or Labiatae/Sclerolobium. The tea is naturally astringent; gastrointestinal irritation can occur in some people. Contact a healthcare professional before combining with conventional medicines.

Ongoing research explores flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, chlorogenic acid) and verbascoside for their antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory potential, and the plant is locally marketed as dried leaves or bark chips for teas and decoctions, often through markets or small tea traders specializing in Taiwan’s coastal flora.

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