Loquat Leaf, Dragon Tongue Leaf, Dried Tangerine and Pear Water

Why people make this herbal water

Mild neck swelling around the thyroid area is something many people — especially women — encounter at various life stages. Physiological swelling during puberty or pregnancy, where the thyroid is simply working harder to meet the body’s hormonal demands, is generally harmless and often resolves on its own. However, if the swelling appears suddenly, feels hard, or is accompanied by eye protrusion, heart palpitations, or changes in weight and appetite, these are signs of a pathological thyroid condition that requires medical evaluation.

This gentle herbal drink is traditionally associated with helping mild, physiological-type neck swelling. Its core ingredients — loquat leaves and dragon tongue leaves — are both well-established in Cantonese food therapy for clearing heat from the lungs and throat, dissolving phlegm, and supporting smooth airway function. The dried tangerine biscuit (a preserved citrus treat unique to southern Chinese culinary traditions) adds a warming, throat-clearing quality, while pear lubricates and moistens. Nourilo notes that this water is mild and balanced enough that even pregnant women can drink it.

Method

1. Rinse the loquat and dragon tongue leaves and cut into sections.
2. Chop the dried tangerine biscuits into pieces.
3. Rinse the pear, remove the core, and cut into large chunks (no need to peel).
4. Place all ingredients together in a pot with 2.1 L of water.
5. Bring to the boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to 0.9–1.2 L.
6. Strain and serve warm, or drink as-is including the softened pear.

Nourilo’s Tips

Fresh loquat leaves and dragon tongue leaves are available at Chinese herbal stalls (shan cao yao stalls). If you cannot find fresh versions, substitute with 19 g each of the dried forms. If you live overseas and cannot find dried tangerine biscuit, replace it with 1 piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) — the tangerine biscuit’s white crystalline frost (natural tangerine oil) has a useful expectorant quality that the fresh fruit does not, but dried tangerine peel is a reasonable substitute. If you have thyroid nodules (confirmed by imaging), you can also regularly drink a simpler tea of summer plum spike (xia ku cao, 38 g) and Zhejiang fritillaria (zhe bei mu, 15 g) simmered in 1.2 L of water to 600 ml — this is traditionally associated with clearing heat and dissolving lumps. Always combine with medical care.