Daidai Blossom, Aged Tangerine Peel and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

People with chronic gastritis often find their stomach acts up during times of stress, cold weather or emotional upset — a dull ache or cramping sensation in the upper abdomen, a feeling of tightness or bloating, loss of appetite. Nourilo notes that several aromatic flowers and botanicals — Buddha’s hand flower (fo shou hua), jasmine (mo li hua), osmanthus (gui hua), magnolia-bud flower (hou po hua), clove (ding xiang) and daidai blossom — all have a traditional association with regulating digestive qi, soothing the stomach and relieving pain. Daidai blossom in particular is valued for opening the chest and stomach, stimulating appetite and calming nausea. This three-ingredient tea is one of Nourilo’s go-to recommendations for anyone whose stomach discomfort is related to stress or digestive weakness.

Method

1. Place all three ingredients in a teapot or heatproof cup.
2. Rinse once with boiling water and discard the rinse water (this cleans the herbs).
3. Pour in fresh boiling water.
4. Steep for 5 minutes, then drink.
5. The same ingredients can be re-steeped multiple times throughout the day.

Nourilo’s Tips

• When using aged tangerine peel (chen pi) for tea, there is no need to scrape off the inner white pith. Simply break it into a few pieces and steep — it contributes to qi regulation and is also associated with softening blood vessels.
• For stomach pain related to qi stagnation, you can try adding rose petals (mei gui hua, 1 tablespoon) and Buddha’s hand fruit slices (fo shou gan, 4–5 slices) when steeping.
• Various aromatic flowers can be rotated for stomach discomfort: jasmine (mo li hua), osmanthus (gui hua), magnolia bud (hou po hua) and daidai blossom all share similar qi-regulating properties.
• Persistent stomach symptoms — especially a history of H. pylori, gastric ulcer or black vomit — require medical attention. Food therapy supports, it does not treat serious disease.