Herbal & Flower Teas
American Ginseng and Dendrobium Tea
Traditionally clears heat, nourishes yin and promotes fluids
Why people make this tea
When the weather turns dry and work piles up, and we add too much spicy, grilled, fried or hotpot food, it is easy to feel that “lit up” dryness — a parched mouth, gritty eyes, mouth ulcers, bad breath or constipation. This American ginseng and dendrobium tea is traditionally taken to clear that heat, nourish the yin, promote fluids and brighten tired eyes — a gentle steep for anyone who runs hot and dry.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with signs of yin-deficiency heat or excess stomach heat — dry mouth, mouth ulcers, tired eyes — and those recovering from surgery or long illness with depleted fluids.
- Not suited to those with a cold, weak spleen and stomach (prone to bloating, loose stools, cold limbs).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- American ginseng (hua qi shen): Traditionally clears heat while nourishing the yin and promoting fluids.
- Fresh dendrobium (shi hu): Associated with nourishing yin, clearing heat, moistening the lungs and supporting the liver, and is traditionally said to support immunity.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American ginseng slices | 2 tbsp | |
| Fresh dendrobium | 4–5 stems | rinsed, sliced |
Method
- Rinse the fresh dendrobium and slice it.
- Put the dendrobium and ginseng slices in a pot, pour in boiling water and steep about 10 minutes. Re-steep until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
The fresh dendrobium can be eaten after steeping — it has a pleasantly sticky, fragrant quality. This tea is especially good for those who are depleted after surgery or long illness. If you only have dried dendrobium, use 3 qian; for a steeped tea it is best ground into powder, otherwise dried dendrobium needs at least half an hour of simmering to draw out the flavour, while the ginseng should only be added at the end.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Connie): Can I steep herbs like mai dong, sha shen and jue ming zi in a stainless-steel vacuum flask? Bro Niu: Yes, those can be steeped in a stainless-steel flask. Only acidic items like wu mei (dark plum) and shan zha (hawthorn) are unsuitable.
- Q (Amy): If I use dried dendrobium, how much should I use? Bro Niu: Use 3 qian of dried dendrobium.
- Q (Tse Lai Ying): What are the signs of a cold, weak spleen and stomach? Bro Niu: Such people are prone to bloating and abdominal pain, a white greasy tongue coating, cold limbs, fear of cold, a sallow complexion and loose stools.
Published December 2, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
