Herbal & Flower Teas
Kudzu Flower, Tangerine Peel and Honey Date Tea
Traditionally associated with counteracting alcohol, protecting the stomach, and supporting liver function
Why people make this tea
Most people who drink for social or work reasons know all too well that the next morning can be rough — headache, nausea, fatigue, that stale feeling in the stomach. Long-term heavy drinking carries more serious consequences: fatty liver, digestive ulcers, esophageal bleeding, pancreatic inflammation, accelerated brain aging, and increased risk of gout from any type of alcohol. The kudzu plant (ge) has a long history in Chinese medicine, and its unopened flower buds (ge hua) specifically are valued as one of the most effective natural ingredients for counteracting alcohol. The flower buds are sweet and neutral in nature, and traditionally associated with settling the stomach and clearing alcohol from the system. Tangerine peel (chen pi) adds its stomach-comforting, qi-moving properties, and honey dates sweeten the whole thing into a tea that is genuinely pleasant to drink. It is simple to make, takes only ten minutes, and can be sipped warm after a night out or taken preventively before.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for anyone who has consumed alcohol and feels unwell, or who wants to support their liver function before or after social drinking
- The tea is mild and safe for most adults
- Those with thyroid conditions can also safely drink this tea
- This is not a treatment for alcohol dependence; heavy, chronic alcohol use requires medical support
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Kudzu flower (ge hua): The unopened flower bud of the kudzu vine; traditionally one of the primary ingredients in Chinese medicine for counteracting alcohol; associated with settling the stomach and dispersing alcohol’s effects; the isoflavones it contains are thought to inhibit the synthesis of neutral fats in the liver, which may have a secondary weight-management benefit
- Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Associated with moving qi, settling the stomach, reducing nausea, and strengthening digestion — useful for the stomach discomfort that often accompanies hangovers
- Honey dates (mi zao): Provide gentle sweetness and are associated with harmonizing the other ingredients and calming the stomach
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kudzu flower buds (ge hua) | 3 tablespoons | Use unopened buds; rinse briefly |
| Dried tangerine peel (chen pi) | 1 piece | Chop or shred finely |
| Honey dates (mi zao) | 2 pieces | Rinse briefly |
| Water | 3 bowls (approx. 600 mL) | Simmered to about 2 bowls |
Method
- Rinse kudzu flower buds and honey dates briefly.
- Chop or shred the tangerine peel finely.
- Combine all ingredients in a small pot with about 3 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes until liquid reduces to approximately 2 bowls.
- Drink warm; consume the full 2 bowls within the day.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea has a naturally sweet, fragrant flavor that makes it easy to drink even when you are feeling rough. Besides its role as a hangover remedy, the isoflavone compounds in kudzu flower are reported to help inhibit the liver’s production of neutral fats, which gives this tea a mild secondary association with weight management.
The tea can be taken every other day without concern. People with thyroid conditions can also drink it safely.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (香港人): Can this tea be taken long-term? How often? Is it suitable for someone with a thyroid condition? Bro Niu: Kudzu flower is effective at resolving alcohol toxicity; drinking one batch every other day is perfectly fine on an ongoing basis. People with thyroid conditions can drink it too.
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Q (小漫): My liver enzymes (AST) came back slightly high in a health check. Are there foods I can use to support the liver? Bro Niu: Try simmering 3 qian of wu wei zi (Schisandra chinensis) and 2 qian of gan cao (licorice root) in 4 bowls of water for 30 minutes, then drink daily for about 4 consecutive days. This combination is associated with supporting liver enzyme normalization. While working on liver support, temporarily reduce your use of strongly herbal soups and focus instead on simple vegetable-based dishes — too many herbs can occasionally add to the liver’s processing burden.
Published August 9, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
