Herbal & Flower Teas
Astragalus, Ophiopogon and Licorice Tea
traditionally associated with supporting immune resilience and reducing recurrent colds in both adults and children
In short: Astragalus, Ophiopogon and Licorice Tea is a herbal & flower tea that traditionally associated with supporting immune resilience and reducing recurrent colds in both adults and children. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, children's wellness, immune support. Total time about 35 min. Key ingredients: astragalus root, ophiopogon root, licorice root.
Why people make this tea
Some people seem to catch every cold that passes through the office. In traditional Chinese food therapy, this is often seen as a sign of weakened defensive energy — the body is not mounting a strong enough barrier against external pathogens. This three-ingredient tea has been used for generations to address exactly that pattern: astragalus to build and strengthen the body’s protective qi, ophiopogon to moisten and nourish the lungs, and a small amount of licorice to harmonise the combination and add a gentle sweetness. Together they make a pleasant, easy-to-drink tea that the whole family can enjoy a few times a week during the cold season.
Nourilo also shares a personal story about licorice’s traditional reputation as a soothing herb — his sister once accidentally ate a potato with a green skin and developed symptoms of poisoning (hand tremors, nausea, numbness of the lips). He immediately had her drink mung bean and licorice water, and her symptoms cleared quickly. While that was a mild case and a more serious situation would require emergency care, it illustrates why licorice has long held a special place in Chinese herbal tradition.
What studies say about the key ingredients
Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.
- Astragalus root
TA-65 was associated with longer leukocyte telomeres compared with controls, but the meta-analysis found no significant improvement in frailty measures or inflammatory markers (CRP/IL-6). Mild gastrointestinal effects were reported.Limitation: Industry-funded trials reported larger effects than others, and the compound is a purified extract at doses not comparable to eating Astragalus root.PubMed 41286474 · 3 more astragalus root studies - Licorice root
Compared with placebo plus the same low-calorie diet, licorice extract was associated with greater improvements in body weight, BMI, body fat, lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR at 8 weeks.Limitation: Small sample, short 8-week duration, and an extract dose that is not comparable to licorice eaten as food; the authors call for confirmatory research.PubMed 39080737 · 3 more licorice root studies
From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.
Safety first — read before you cook
This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
- take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
- have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.
Ingredient notes for this recipe
- Licorice root: Contains glycyrrhizin. Large amounts or long-term use have been linked to raised blood pressure and irregular heartbeat, and even smaller amounts have caused problems in people with high blood pressure, heart or kidney conditions, or a high-salt diet. Large amounts are unsafe in pregnancy, and it can interact with corticosteroids. Source: NIH NCCIH — Licorice Root
- Astragalus: May interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. A thorough safety evaluation has not been done, and little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Astragalus
Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes
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