Fresh Sauropus Leaf, Loquat Leaf, Candied Kumquat and Snow Pear Water

Why people make this water

At the herb stalls you often see fresh sauropus leaf (long li ye) and fresh loquat leaf — both gentle and clearing. Sauropus leaf is mild in nature and traditionally associated with moistening the lungs and easing cough, so it suits cold, hot or dry coughs alike with the right partners. Loquat leaf is geared more to wind-heat and dry coughs. Nourilo brews this clear, sweet water for the seasonal dry-weather cough; with candied kumquat and snow pear it tastes pleasant enough that neither children nor elders refuse it.

Method

1. Rinse the sauropus and loquat leaves; brush the fine hairs off the back of the loquat leaves.
2. Rinse the candied kumquats and apricot kernels; cut the kumquats open.
3. Wash the snow pears with skin on, core and cut into chunks.
4. Put everything in a pot with 2.1 L of water and simmer 1 hour down to 1.2 L; serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This water is clear and mild, with no harsh herbal taste, so the whole family can enjoy it — and it makes a nice everyday drink against autumn-dryness cough. If you can only get dried leaves, use about 19 g (19 g) of each; fresh works a little better, but dried is fine when fresh isn’t available.