Tonic Drinks & Waters
Houttuynia, Tangerine Peel & Honey Date Drink
Traditionally associated with clearing lung heat, dissolving phlegm, and supporting the respiratory tract
Why people make this drink
When respiratory illnesses start spreading through schools and communities, this is one of the drinks Bro Niu turns to. Houttuynia (yu xing cao) has a long history in Chinese herbal medicine as a lung-clearing herb, and modern research has identified antibacterial compounds in the plant — particularly against the pneumococcal bacteria associated with bacterial pneumonia. The herb has a distinctive, slightly fishy aroma when raw (hence its Chinese name — “fishy-smell herb”), but when cooked with sweet honey dates and fragrant tangerine peel, the flavour becomes quite mild and approachable. This is a supportive drink for the prevention and early stages of respiratory illness, not a treatment for established pneumonia.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for most adults, elderly people, and children; chronic bronchitis sufferers may also find it helpful
- People with a cold constitution (chronically cold hands and feet, easily chilled) can still drink this during illness, but should add extra tangerine peel and honey dates to balance the cooling nature
- People with G6PD deficiency may drink this (it is safe with houttuynia)
- Houttuynia should not be over-boiled — add it later or limit cooking to 15–20 minutes to preserve its active compounds
- If high fever does not subside, breathing is difficult, or the patient is an infant, please see a doctor without delay
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Houttuynia (yu xing cao / Houttuynia cordata): Contains the compound houttuynin, which has demonstrated antibacterial activity in laboratory research; in Chinese medicine, traditionally used to clear lung heat, dissolve phlegm, and reduce lung inflammation; a key herb for respiratory and skin infections
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Warms and regulates qi in the lungs and digestive system; reduces the cooling nature of houttuynia; also helps dissolve phlegm and ease cough
- Honey dates (mi zao): Naturally sweet jujubes that sweeten the drink without added sugar; tonify the spleen and lungs, and harmonise the other ingredients
Ingredients (2–3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh houttuynia (yu xing cao) | 75 g (2 liang) | Dried herb may substitute; do not over-cook |
| Dried tangerine peel | 2 pieces | Soak to soften |
| Honey dates (mi zao) | 2–3 pieces | |
| Water | 5 bowls |
Method
- Rinse the houttuynia thoroughly and cut into sections.
- Soak the tangerine peel briefly and rinse.
- Place the tangerine peel, honey dates, and water in a pot and bring to a boil.
- Add the houttuynia, then continue cooking for about 20 minutes until reduced to 2–3 bowls.
- Drink warm. Suitable for the whole family.
Bro Niu’s tips
This drink has a clean, lightly sweet taste — the fishy aroma of raw houttuynia largely disappears with cooking. For people with weak immunity, elderly people, and young children under 5, Bro Niu also recommends getting a pneumococcal vaccine for longer-term protection — food therapy is a supportive tool, not a replacement for vaccination. If a cold or flu seems to be progressing towards difficulty breathing, high sustained fever, or general collapse of energy, seek medical attention immediately.
Community questions answered (selected)
-
Q (JJ): My 2-year-old has G6PD deficiency. Can she have houttuynia, liquorice root, green olive, and dried snow pear cooked together? Bro Niu: Yes, a child with G6PD can drink houttuynia cooked with liquorice root (gan cao), green olive, and dried snow pear. Just note that houttuynia should not be simmered for too long — add the other ingredients first and put the houttuynia in at the end.
-
Q (Mrs. Chen): Houttuynia is cooling — is it very cold in nature? I have cold hands and feet (cold constitution). Can I drink this? Bro Niu: Houttuynia is a cooling herb. Cold hands and feet indicate kidney yang deficiency, which is indeed a cold constitution. However, even people with a cold constitution can take houttuynia if they have a hot-pattern cough or sore throat — the tangerine peel and honey dates in this formula help reduce the cooling effect.
-
Q (Celine): Can houttuynia be combined with green olive, dried sweet orange cake (ju bing), dried snow pear, figs, and carrot? My child is 18 months old. Bro Niu: Houttuynia goes well with carrot, fig, and dried snow pear. An 18-month-old can drink this. Cook the green olive and dried orange cake separately in their own brew.
Published May 9, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
