Herbal & Flower Teas
Chicken Bone Grass, Capillary Wormwood and Red Date Tea
Traditionally used to clear damp-heat and support the liver
Why people make this tea
In spring, everything stirs back to life — and so, in the food-therapy tradition, this is the season to “nourish the liver.” Bro Niu follows the classic spring advice: gentle exercise, enough sleep, light eating, building a good base. But spring also wakes up insects, bacteria and viruses, so it’s a season for catching things — which is why a mask is sensible in crowds. The old idea is to soothe and unblock the liver and keep qi and blood flowing. This mild tea of chicken bone grass, capillary wormwood and red date is offered toward that — traditionally used to clear damp-heat and support liver and gallbladder health.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those wanting gentle springtime liver support; mild enough for young and old.
- Those of cold, weak constitution should use it with caution. If you have a diagnosed liver condition, please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chicken bone grass / abrus (ji gu cao): Traditionally used to clear heat and damp, soothe the liver and ease discomfort.
- Capillary wormwood (mian yin chen): Traditionally used to clear damp-heat and support the liver and gallbladder.
- Red date (hong zao): Traditionally used to nourish blood and harmonise; it softens the herbal taste.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken bone grass | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Capillary wormwood | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soaked, rinsed |
| Red dates | 6 | Pitted |
Method
- Soak and rinse the ingredients; pit the red dates.
- Add everything to 7 bowls of water and simmer for 1 hour, reducing to 3–4 bowls. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is not strongly herbal in taste, so it’s fine for young and old. It is also traditionally regarded as beneficial for those with chronic liver concerns or jaundice — but those of cold, weak constitution should use it with caution.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Xiaopumao): My 10-year-old daughter has pale, dry lips and often gets mouth ulcers. What food therapy suits her? Bro Niu: She may have “heart and stomach fire.” Frequent mouth ulcers may also relate to a lack of B vitamins — one tablet a day for two weeks is worth trying. As food therapy, simmer half a catty of soybean sprouts, 3 qian snow fungus, a block of tofu and 6–8 dried oysters in 8 bowls of water down to 4; the whole family can drink it, and it’s best for her to eat some of the ingredients too.
Published February 26, 2026 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
