Prince's Ginseng, Sour Plum and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

When a cough lingers for weeks — especially in young children who have been taking Western medicine — it can leave the whole system feeling run down: poor appetite, low energy, a dry mouth, and that general sense that the body just has not fully recovered. In traditional Chinese dietary thinking, a prolonged cough is said to “injure the lung yin” — drawing on the body’s fluids and quieter restorative energy. Repeated courses of medicine can also weaken the spleen and stomach, reducing appetite and absorption.

Prince’s ginseng (tai zi shen) is sometimes called “children’s ginseng” because it offers a gentle, clear qi-supporting effect without the warming intensity of regular ginseng — making it ideal for children and for summer use. Paired with sour plum to astringently gather lost fluids, and licorice root to harmonise the formula, this tea is a simple, pleasant-tasting way to help the body rebuild after illness. Nourilo notes it is suitable for all ages and all constitution types.