Herbal & Flower Teas
Rose, Honeysuckle and Licorice Tea
traditionally associated with calming gut inflammation and soothing the stomach
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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for adults and children aged 8 and above
- Particularly helpful for those experiencing diarrhea-type gastroenteritis in its mild or recovery phase
- Children with G6PD deficiency (favism) must NOT use honeysuckle (jin yin hua); substitute with jasmine flowers (su xin hua) instead
- Those without diarrhea but with frequent bloating and belching may also benefit — in that case, substitute the honeysuckle with jasmine flowers (su xin hua) per Bro Niu’s advice
- Those with a cold constitution can drink this in moderation; rose buds are slightly warming, and licorice root is neutral, which balances the cooling nature of honeysuckle
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Rose buds (mei gui hua): Slightly warming in nature; traditionally associated with soothing the liver, moving stagnant qi and gently calming emotional tension — relevant because stress often triggers gut problems
- Honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua): One of the most widely used cooling herbs in Chinese food therapy; associated with clearing heat and inflammation from the digestive tract
- Licorice root (gan cao): Harmonises the formula and moderates the cooling nature of honeysuckle; traditionally used to soothe the stomach and relieve spasm
Ingredients (1–2 cups, re-steepable)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried rose buds (mei gui hua) | 8 flowers | Available at tea shops and Chinese herb stores |
| Honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Omit for G6PD (favism) sufferers; replace with jasmine |
| Licorice root slices (gan cao) | 4 slices | |
| Boiling water | sufficient to fill teapot |
Method
- Place all ingredients into a teapot or heat-resistant mug.
- Pour a small amount of boiling water over the ingredients, swirl briefly and discard this first rinse — this cleans the herbs.
- Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot.
- Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
- Pour and drink. The ingredients can be re-steeped with hot water until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’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.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Pat): Can an 8-year-old child drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, an 8-year-old can drink it. However, children with G6PD deficiency (favism) must not use honeysuckle flowers.
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Q (reader with cold constitution): I have a cold constitution — can I drink this tea? Bro Niu: Rose buds are slightly warming in nature, and even though honeysuckle is cooling, the combination with rose and licorice moderates the overall effect. Those with a cold constitution can drink a normal amount without worry.
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Q (倩雯): My husband has colonic ulcers and is on warfarin long-term — can he drink this tea? Is there any food therapy to help the ulcer heal? Bro Niu: You can try making a soup with astragalus root (bei qi, 1 liang), monkey head mushroom (hou tou gu, 3 pieces), fresh Chinese yam (1 piece) and red dates (5 pieces), cooked with sea bass or rock fish. The whole family can drink it — give him 3 servings a week for two weeks. That combination is more suited to supporting gut healing than this tea.
Published April 16, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
