Houttuynia, Tangerine Peel & Honey Date Drink

Why people make this drink

When respiratory illnesses start spreading through schools and communities, this is one of the drinks Nourilo 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.