Rose, Honeysuckle and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

Digestive upset — whether a sudden bout of gastroenteritis or that lingering low-grade inflammation that comes and goes — is something most families deal with regularly. This simple three-ingredient herbal tea has long been a Cantonese home remedy for the diarrhea type of gut inflammation. Stress is often an overlooked trigger: when we are chronically anxious or overworked, the body’s gut-brain connection can drive excess stomach acid production and reduce the stomach lining’s natural defences. A calming, lightly fragrant tea that addresses both the inflammation and the emotional component fits neatly into the food-therapy approach. This one is mild enough to drink daily and pleasant enough that nobody minds.

Method

1. Place all ingredients into a teapot or heat-resistant mug.
2. Pour a small amount of boiling water over the ingredients, swirl briefly and discard this first rinse — this cleans the herbs.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot.
4. Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
5. Pour and drink. The ingredients can be re-steeped with hot water until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

If you do not have diarrhea but regularly suffer from bloating and belching after meals, swap the honeysuckle for jasmine flowers (su xin hua) — you will find the tea just as helpful for that type of digestive discomfort. For those with a very cold constitution who worry about honeysuckle’s cooling nature, the rose buds and licorice together moderate its effect enough that a normal daily serving is generally fine. Children aged 8 and above can drink this tea. Remember: G6PD children must avoid honeysuckle entirely.