Jiaogulan and Dangshen Tea

Why people make this tea

Nourilo picked up a bag of jiaogulan on a trip and brewed it as a tea — gently sweet, with little herbal bitterness. Jiaogulan contains ginseng-like compounds, which is why it’s nicknamed “southern ginseng.” Brewed with codonopsis and prepared fleeceflower root, it’s a warm, comforting daily tonic tea that older folks like to sip over a stretch of weeks.

Method

1. Rinse the jiaogulan, codonopsis and prepared fleeceflower root.
2. “Double-decoct”: add 1.8 L of water and simmer down to 300 ml; set aside, then add 3 more bowls of water and simmer down to 300 ml again. Combine the two into 2 bowls.
3. When slightly cooled, stir in honey. Drink in two portions over the day. Take over a stretch of time.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is traditionally associated with supporting the liver and kidney and nourishing qi and blood. It is gentle and not heating, so it suits people with high blood pressure too, and those recovering from a mild stroke who are on medication — just wait about 2 hours after taking your Western medicine. Remember the cautions: not for pregnancy, bleeding disorders, or lupus.