Tonic Drinks & Waters
Green Olive and Golden Monk Fruit Herbal Drink
Traditionally used to clear throat heat, ease tonsil inflammation and relieve dry, sore throat
Why people make this drink
A student in one of Bro Niu’s postnatal care classes mentioned she was from Fujian — where green olives grow in abundance — and asked what to pair them with. The answer was straightforward: green olive with golden monk fruit is one of the most reliable traditional Cantonese remedies for respiratory health, throat inflammation and tonsillitis.
Raw green olives taste sharp and initially sour, but they have a pleasant lingering sweetness and are exceptionally rich in nutrients. Their vitamin C content is ten times higher than apples and five times higher than pears or peaches. Their calcium content is among the highest of any fruit. For children who frequently suffer from tonsillitis, eating green olives regularly can support both throat health and bone development.
The addition of monk fruit creates a wonderfully sweet and soothing drink — a natural fit for hot summer days, dry throats or any time the throat feels uncomfortable.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for the whole family, including children and elderly
- Particularly helpful for people prone to respiratory illness, sore throat, tonsillitis or mouth dryness
- Also noted by Bro Niu as beneficial for cancer patients experiencing dry mouth or throat soreness during chemotherapy
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green olive (qing lan): Rich in vitamin C and calcium; traditionally used to clear heat and detoxify, produce saliva, soothe the throat and counter the effects of inhaled toxins (including coal gas)
- Golden monk fruit (jin luo han guo): Naturally intensely sweet without sugar; clears lung heat, soothes the throat, lubricates the intestines; the sweetness also makes this drink accessible for children
Ingredients (4 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh green olives | 12–15 pieces | Rinse; crack each one with the flat of a cleaver |
| Golden monk fruit | 1 whole | Crack into pieces; use all of it |
Method
- Rinse the green olives and crack each one with the flat side of a cleaver to expose the flesh.
- Crack the monk fruit open into pieces.
- Place both ingredients into a pot with 6 bowls (approximately 1.4 litres) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 30 minutes until reduced to 4 cups.
- Drink as a warm or room-temperature beverage throughout the day.
Bro Niu’s tips
This drink is naturally sweet, refreshing and pleasant — the whole family will enjoy it. It is particularly helpful for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy who experience dry mouth or a painful, scorched throat. The drink can be consumed freely; there are no strong contraindications for typical use.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader, in Australia): My child and I both get tonsillitis frequently. We are in Australia and cannot find green olives. Can we substitute something else? Would snow pear with monk fruit work? Bro Niu: Yes, snow pear with golden monk fruit works well for tonsillitis — that is a perfectly good substitute.
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Q (hrzly): My 13-year-old had a fever and now has a lingering cough, dry mouth and mucus that is hard to bring up. Can I make a drink with dragon tongue leaf, almonds and monk fruit? Bro Niu: Yes, a drink of fresh dragon tongue leaf (long li ye), apple and monk fruit is lovely — the whole family can share it, as it nourishes the lungs, soothes the throat and helps clear phlegm. Alternatively, a soup with 5 qian of Solomon’s seal (yu zhu), apple, snow pear, figs and lean pork is also very helpful.
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Q (JEW): I have had a persistent dull ache in the area between my throat and jaw for two months. I have seen several TCM doctors who checked my tonsils and said they were not swollen, but the herbal prescriptions have not helped. What food therapy can help? Bro Niu: First check whether you have had any dental work recently, such as wisdom tooth extraction — bacteria can sometimes affect the nerve. Try taking raw tian qi powder (sheng tian qi / sheng san qi) — two teaspoons morning and evening, taken with warm water. This is traditionally associated with activating circulation, resolving stasis and easing pain. Take for 3–4 days to see whether it helps. You can have the powder ground at a Chinese herbal shop; 30–60 g is enough.
Published May 30, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
