Toasted Floating Wheat Tea (Fu Xiao Mai Tea)

Why people make this tea

Sweating is entirely normal when you exercise or when it is hot. But some people notice they break out in a sweat for no obvious reason during the day, or wake up drenched at night despite a cool room. In Chinese medicine, this is categorised as “spontaneous sweating” (zi han) — sweating without exertion, often linked to qi deficiency — or “night sweats” (dao han) — sweating during sleep that stops on waking, often associated with yin deficiency. Bro Niu offers a helpful note on where sweating tends to occur and what it might indicate in TCM terms: forehead sweating may relate to heart or liver fire; sweating around the nose to lung qi insufficiency; hand and foot sweating to spleen deficiency. Floating wheat (fu xiao mai) is the traditional remedy for both patterns. It is simply the light, unfilled wheat grains that float when dropped in water — inexpensive, easy to find at Chinese herb shops, and gentle enough for regular use.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Adults and children who sweat excessively without cause (spontaneous sweating or night sweats)
• Safe for most people; gentle and non-stimulating
• Breastfeeding mothers should substitute floating wheat with millet (xiao mi) — floating wheat is said to have a mild lactation-reducing effect
• Pregnant women should consult a doctor before using herbal teas

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Floating wheat (fu xiao mai): The lightweight, hollow wheat grains that float in water. In Chinese medicine, associated with consolidating and astringent properties that help the body retain qi and reduce excessive sweating. Low in starch (as the grain is unfilled) and gentle in nature. Toast first to enhance flavour and effectiveness.
• Schisandra / five-flavour berry (wu wei zi): Added for night sweats. Traditionally associated with astringent and kidney-nourishing properties; said to consolidate yin and help reduce nocturnal sweating.
• Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourishing for the liver and kidneys; added to support the yin-nourishing quality when addressing night sweats.

Ingredients (1 day’s tea)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Floating wheat (fu xiao mai)	2 tablespoons (~10 g)	Toast in a dry pan first
For night sweats: Wu wei zi	1 tablespoon	Add alongside the floating wheat
For night sweats: Goji berries	1 tablespoon	Add alongside
Hot water	enough to steep	Can be re-steeped multiple times

Method

1. Toast the floating wheat: place in a dry pan (no oil) over the lowest possible heat and stir continuously for about 5 minutes, until the grains are fragrant. Be careful — they will jump around and can scorch easily if the heat is too high. Keep the flame as low as possible.
2. Allow the toasted wheat to cool, then store in a glass jar.
3. When ready to brew: place 2 tablespoons of toasted floating wheat in a tea infuser or small cloth bag.
4. If addressing night sweats, add 1 tablespoon each of wu wei zi and goji berries to the infuser.
5. Pour boiling water over the infuser. Steep for 10 minutes.
6. Drink throughout the day, re-steeping until the flavour fades. Drink 1 portion per day; continue for 1–2 weeks and observe whether symptoms improve.

Bro Niu’s tips

Toasting the floating wheat at the lowest possible flame is key — it is easy to burn. Use a lid on the pan to prevent the grains from jumping out, but keep the heat minimal. Toasted floating wheat stores well in a glass jar. For qi-deficient spontaneous sweating, just the floating wheat is sufficient. For night sweats (yin deficiency), add wu wei zi and goji berries. Floating wheat does not raise blood sugar — it contains very little starch — so it is safe for diabetics. Do not use it if you are breastfeeding, as it can reduce milk supply; use millet instead.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Chloe): I’ve been steeping the herbs rather than cooking them — does it have to be boiled to be effective? And does the floating wheat have to be toasted? Bro Niu: It’s better to bring the ingredients to a boil with water and then simmer on low heat for 30 minutes. The toasted floating wheat does release flavour and benefit more effectively — use the very lowest flame possible to toast it, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

• Q (Wendy): My mother has diabetes and high blood pressure and sweats a lot during the day. Is this tea safe? Bro Niu: Floating wheat, once toasted, can help reduce excess sweating and will not raise blood sugar — it is an unfilled grain with very little starch, so it is safe for diabetics.

• Q (Jenny): My relative just gave birth one week ago, is breastfeeding, and sweats a lot during the day and at night. Can she use this tea? Bro Niu: Use bei qi (astragalus), wu wei zi, glutinous rice root (nuo dao gen), nan dates, and licorice instead — that formula is better suited for a postpartum breastfeeding mother. Drink it after breastfeeding. Floating wheat on its own may reduce milk supply, so avoid it while breastfeeding.

---

---

Published September 27, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.