Herbal & Flower Teas
Pseudostellaria Root and Smoked Plum Tea
traditionally used to nourish lung qi, support relief from a dry lingering cough, and reduce fatigue
Why people make this tea
Not all coughs are the same. There is the obvious, wet, productive cough of an active infection — and then there is the other kind: a dry, nagging cough that lingers for weeks after an illness has mostly resolved, often accompanied by tiredness, a dry throat, and a general feeling of low energy. In traditional Chinese food therapy, this second type is often described as a “lung qi and yin deficiency” pattern.
Pseudostellaria root (tai zi shen) is a mild but reliable tonic herb that belongs to the carnation family rather than the true ginseng family — making it noticeably gentler in nature. It has a long history of use in China for people who need some support but cannot tolerate the stronger warming ginsengs. Paired with smoked plum’s astringent, lung-gathering quality and liquorice’s harmonising sweetness, this three-ingredient tea is a classic formula for a cough that just will not quite finish.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those with a dry, lingering cough after illness, accompanied by tiredness, dry throat, or spontaneous perspiration; also good for children with a prolonged cough
- If your cough involves a dry, itchy throat and sticky phlegm, add a small handful of chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua) to the brew
- This tea is for deficiency-type (empty, dry) coughs; it is not suitable as the primary approach for acute infections or coughs with thick yellow phlegm
- If no smoked plum is available, substitute schisandra berry (wu wei zi) 3 qian, which has a similar lung-gathering function
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Pseudostellaria root (tai zi shen): Named “prince ginseng” for its gentler action compared to true ginseng; belongs to the carnation (Caryophyllaceae) family; traditionally used to tonify qi, support the stomach, and address fatigue without causing the heat that stronger ginsengs can produce
- Smoked plum (wu mei): The sour, astringent nature of wu mei is considered to “gather” or consolidate the lungs, helping to stop a persistent cough and reduce night sweats; also nourishes body fluids and quenches thirst
- Liquorice root (gan cao): A classic harmonising herb in Chinese medicine; moistens the throat, soothes irritation, and helps blend the formula
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pseudostellaria root (tai zi shen) | 15 g (4 qian) | Rinse briefly |
| Smoked plum (wu mei) | 3 pieces | Available at Chinese herbal shops; or substitute schisandra berry (wu wei zi) 3 qian |
| Liquorice root (gan cao) | 7.5 g (2 qian) | |
| Water | 4 bowls (approx. 800 mL) |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients briefly and soak for a few minutes.
- Place in a pot with 4 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for about 30 minutes until reduced to approximately 2 bowls.
- Strain and serve warm. Drink in two portions over the day.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea has a traditional association with supporting vitality and is considered anti-ageing in a gentle, replenishing sense. It is helpful for children with a long-lasting cough that will not fully clear. For a wind-type cough with a dry throat and sticky phlegm, add a small pinch of chrysanthemum (ju hua) to the brew. If no wu mei is available, substitute schisandra berry (wu wei zi) 3 qian — it has a similar lung-astringent quality.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Li Miss): I have been coughing for over a year. A Chinese medicine doctor said it is wind-cold. Recently I also frequently sigh deeply. I tried your cordyceps, fritillary bulb, adenophora, and dried scallop soup, and my cough has finally improved. Would the Pseudostellaria plum tea also be suitable? Bro Niu: You can try the Pseudostellaria plum tea — take 4–5 servings and see if it helps. Regularly, you can also make a soup of white ginkgo nuts (bai guo) 10 pieces (cores removed), walnut meat 6 pieces, euryale seeds (qian shi) 1 liang, southern and northern apricot kernels 5 qian, and red dates 6 pieces, cooked with quail or pork shank — 2 servings per week to nourish the lungs, spleen, and kidneys and reduce coughing.
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Q (Tszying): My husband has coughed for a long time but not frequently — just occasional single coughs, with a little transparent white phlegm in the morning. It feels like there is mucus in the throat. He has seen doctors but the cough has not resolved. What can I cook for him? Bro Niu: You can try a formula of pinellia rhizome (fa xia), poria (fu ling), and white atractylodes (bai zhu) each 3 qian, liquorice 1 qian, tangerine peel 2 qian, cooked in 5 bowls of water for 1 hour until 2 bowls remain. Take 3 servings. This helps clear phlegm.
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Q (husband, pregnant wife at 9 weeks): My wife is in early pregnancy and coughing badly, especially at night — thin white phlegm. Which of your soups is safe for her? Bro Niu: Your wife can use perilla leaf (zi su ye) 3 qian, fresh ginger 3–4 slices, liquorice 1 qian in 4 bowls of water simmered to 2 bowls — drink in one day. Perilla leaf actually has a traditional calming-pregnancy effect.
Published March 25, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
