Herbal & Flower Teas
American Ginseng, Dendrobium and Ophiopogon Sweet Tea
Traditionally used to nourish yin, promote fluids, and ease dryness from late nights or dry weather
Why people make this tea
Autumn in Hong Kong and southern China is dry — and anyone who regularly works late, skips sleep, or spends hours in air-conditioned spaces often notices the symptoms: a parched throat, a low-grade restlessness, dry eyes, and skin that no longer holds moisture the way it once did. In Chinese food therapy, this cluster of symptoms points to what is called “yin deficiency” — a concept describing a state where the body’s fluids and cooling reserves are depleted. This three-ingredient tea is one of Bro Niu’s go-to recommendations for autumn dryness. Dendrobium is valued for generating fluids in the stomach and clearing mild internal heat; ophiopogon root is one of the oldest documented herbs for nourishing lung and heart yin; and American ginseng (cooler and more moistening than Asian ginseng) rounds it all out. The result is a pleasant, lightly sweet drink that does not taste strongly medicinal.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits adults and older children who stay up late, feel persistently dry and warm, or experience dry eyes and skin during dry weather
- Suitable for pregnant women who are 5 months or beyond (as confirmed by Bro Niu in response to a reader’s question)
- Breastfeeding mothers who are postpartum can also drink this
- Children as young as 3 years old can drink it in small amounts, though it should be stopped once symptoms improve — do not treat it as a daily health drink indefinitely
- Avoid right after a wind-cold (shivery, early-stage) cold — the cooling nature of this tea is not suitable at that stage; warm ginger sugar tea is more appropriate first
- Those with a particularly cold-natured constitution (always cold, pale, easily loose stools) should add a piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) when cooking to moderate the cool quality of ophiopogon root
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dendrobium (shi hu): One of the premium yin-nourishing herbs in classical Chinese medicine; associated with generating stomach fluids, clearing low-grade heat, and benefiting the eyes; the strip or stick form available at ordinary prices has solid effects, though higher grades exist at much greater cost
- Ophiopogon root (mai dong): A slender tuberous root; traditionally used to moisten the lungs and heart, ease thirst, and calm mild restlessness; slightly cooling — adding a piece of tangerine peel can moderate this quality for sensitive constitutions
- American ginseng (xi yang shen): A cooling tonic ginseng that supports heart qi and nourishes heart yin; unlike red or Asian ginseng, it is less likely to cause heat or restlessness, making it suitable for drier, warmer conditions
Ingredients (2 bowls / 1–2 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dendrobium (shi hu) | 11 g (3 qian) | Rinse |
| Ophiopogon root (mai dong) | 15 g (4 qian) | Rinse |
| American ginseng (xi yang shen) | 1 tablespoon (sliced) | Added near the end of cooking |
| Rock sugar | To taste | — |
| Water | 5 bowls (~1 L) | Reduce to 2 bowls |
Method
- Rinse the dendrobium and ophiopogon root.
- Place dendrobium and ophiopogon root in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes.
- Add the rock sugar and American ginseng slices; continue cooking for about 3 minutes. (American ginseng is added last to preserve its active qualities — long boiling reduces its effectiveness.)
- Pour and drink warm. You can also add lean pork instead of rock sugar if you prefer a savoury soup version.
Bro Niu’s tips
Dendrobium comes in many forms and price points. The ordinary stick-form (tiao zhuang) dendrobium available at most Chinese medicine shops works well for everyday use — there is no need to seek out the most expensive varieties. Dendrobium can be ground into powder and stirred into water or soup. For those with stomach yin deficiency, persistent low-grade thirst, or a tendency toward mild restlessness and mild internal heat, dendrobium is an excellent everyday ingredient.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Cola, 2018): My son often stays up late due to studies and work. Besides this tea, what soups can I make for him? Bro Niu: You can prepare a snow fungus, lily bulb, and snow pear sweet soup for him. It helps nourish yin and moisten the lungs, and is good for strengthening lung qi too.
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Q (w_w_cutie, 2017): I have both spleen deficiency and yin deficiency. My tongue is white and thick. Is this tea suitable? Bro Niu: Ophiopogon root is on the cooling side. For spleen-deficiency yin deficiency, add a piece of dried tangerine peel when cooking — it reduces the cooling quality and makes it more suitable.
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Q (Mandy, 2018): I am 5 months pregnant — is it safe to drink this? Bro Niu: At 5 months pregnant, this tea is fine to drink.
Published October 22, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
