Daylily, Lily Bulb and Red Date Drink

Why people make this drink

Daylily (huang hua cai, sometimes called the “flower of forgetfulness” or wang you cao) is one of Nourilo’s favourite everyday food-therapy ingredients. It’s iron-rich — the iron content is said to be around twenty times that of spinach — and it’s prized for its lecithin, which is thought to support brain function and memory. Paired with the gently cooling lily bulb and sweet red dates, this drink has long been made in Chinese households for anyone who feels emotionally unsettled, has trouble sleeping, feels forgetful, or simply needs something restorative after a long stretch of mental work.

Method

1. Soak and rinse the daylily buds and lily bulb separately; drain.
2. Pit the red dates.
3. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 1.8 L of water.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for about 1 hour, until the liquid reduces to approximately 900 ml.
5. Drink the liquid and eat the softened ingredients.

Nourilo’s Tips

This drink is naturally sweet and pleasant, suitable for all ages and gentle enough for daily use. Children with hyperactivity or attention difficulties may also benefit. For a more substantial version, add a small piece of lean pork or a few fresh baby abalones when you put everything in the pot — it turns the drink into a light nourishing soup. A weekly batch is easy to keep in the fridge for a few days.