Can patients with diabetes drink hawthorn and cassia seed infusion?

Diabetes patients may drink hawthorn and cassia seed infusion, but they should consume it in moderation and closely monitor their bodily responses. The rationale is as follows:

Hawthorn is a common fruit with notable nutritional value and contains bioactive compounds that may confer benefits for cardiovascular health—a particularly important consideration given the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease among individuals with diabetes. Additionally, the pleasantly tart-sweet flavor of hawthorn tea may sometimes help improve appetite. Cassia seed (Cassia obtusifolia) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb known for its liver-clearing, vision-enhancing, and mild laxative effects. Drinking cassia seed infusion generally poses minimal adverse effects for people with diabetes and does not significantly elevate blood glucose levels. When preparing hawthorn tea, diabetic patients should minimize or avoid adding sugar altogether and adjust the intake volume according to their individual glycemic control status.

However, cassia seed tea has a relatively cooling nature in traditional Chinese medicine theory; therefore, prolonged or excessive consumption is not recommended. Overconsumption may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea. Individuals with spleen- and stomach-deficiency-cold patterns are especially prone to diarrhea after consuming cassia seed tea, and such use may also adversely affect kidney function. Consequently, diabetic patients drinking hawthorn and cassia seed infusion should carefully observe their body’s response and promptly adjust the dosage if any discomfort arises.