Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb & Ophiopogon Brew

Why people make this brew

After a cold or fever passes in children, the body does not always fully recover its balance right away. The heat may linger internally, showing up as a dry mouth, restlessness, tearfulness, and disrupted sleep. In Chinese food therapy, this state is described as residual heat interfering with the heart and lungs. Bro Niu often recommends this gentle three-ingredient brew as a simple, safe way to help children settle back into comfortable rest after illness — and notes that it works just as well for adults dealing with palpitations, mild insomnia, or a restless, unsettled feeling.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits: children recovering from colds or fevers with lingering restlessness, dry mouth, or thirst; adults with mild insomnia, palpitations, or irritability; the whole family as a seasonal wellness drink
• For very young infants, Bro Niu recommends making a soft congee with the same ingredients rather than a liquid brew
• Babies around six months: half a small bowl is enough
• If a child is actively feverish or showing signs of infection, see a doctor rather than relying on food therapy alone

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Lotus seeds (lian zi): Traditionally associated with calming the mind and supporting the spleen; those with the bitter green shoot (lian xin) left in are considered especially effective for clearing heart heat and cooling the tongue
• Lily bulb (bai he): Moistens the lungs and traditionally supports emotional steadiness and better sleep; mild enough for children and the elderly
• Ophiopogon root (mai dong): Nourishes yin and moistens dryness; commonly used when someone feels internally parched after illness, or experiences a persistently dry throat

Ingredients (2–3 small bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Lotus seeds (with shoot if possible)	38 g (1 liang)	Rinse and soak briefly
Lily bulb (dried)	38 g (1 liang)	Rinse
Ophiopogon root (mai dong)	11 g (3 qian)	Rinse
Water	4–5 bowls (~1 L)
Rock sugar (optional)	To taste	Add near end of cooking

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly.
2. Place lotus seeds, lily bulb, and ophiopogon in a pot with 4–5 bowls of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for about 1 hour until lotus seeds are tender.
4. Add rock sugar to taste and stir to dissolve.
5. Serve the broth and eat the soup ingredients together.

Bro Niu’s tips

For very young children who cannot chew, cook the same ingredients into a congee (porridge) — the lotus seeds will soften completely and become easy to eat. If the child’s tongue tip appears red, which in Chinese medicine signals heart heat, look for lotus seeds that still have the thin green central shoot (lian xin) — this bitter shoot is traditionally considered the most effective part for clearing that internal heat. You can also add 6 bundles of rush pith (deng xin cao) to the brew for even better calming results. Adults with palpitations or insomnia will also benefit from this brew.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Apple): I have a red tongue tip, heart palpitations, and trouble sleeping. Should I use lotus seeds with or without the inner shoot? Do I need to add rush pith (deng xin cao) or ophiopogon? Bro Niu: The inner shoot of the lotus seed (lian xin) has the properties of clearing heart fire and supporting healthy blood pressure — you can buy fresh lotus seeds with the shoot still in, or look for dried ones at a herbal shop. One teaspoon of lotus shoot alone is also effective for someone with a red tongue and excess heart heat. Adding 6 bundles of rush pith and a small amount of ophiopogon together with lotus seeds and lily bulb is also very beneficial.

• Q (Karen Lau): My 27-month-old cries a lot at night and sleeps very poorly. Can she drink this brew? How often? Bro Niu: Yes, this brew is suitable for toddlers. If she cries persistently, it may be a sign of excess heart heat — add 6 bundles of rush pith (deng xin cao) to the pot. Use 5 bowls of water simmered down to 3 bowls, split over 2 days. Drink for 3 consecutive batches and adjust based on results.

• Q (Ho): My daughter (3 years old) has had a lingering low fever for 13 days. She is active and eating, but still has coughing and sweating at night. Can she have this brew, and what else helps? Bro Niu: If there is still bacterial infection, try fresh fish-mint herb (yu xing cao, 75 g) with coix seed (yi mi, 38 g) and red dates (4 pieces) — simmer the coix seed for 30 minutes first, then add the fish-mint herb for another 15 minutes. This helps clear heat and support the body in fighting infection. Wait two hours after any Western medicine before giving the brew. Once the infection clears, the other symptoms should improve.

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Published February 14, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.