Golden Monk Fruit and Sterculia (Pang Da Hai) Tea

Why people make this tea

Winter is peak cold-and-flu season, and the first thing both tend to hit is the upper respiratory tract — runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache or fever. A common cold usually starts with a sore throat and clears in a day or two; flu tends to be heavier, with worse headache and fever. This monk fruit and sterculia tea is traditionally taken to soothe the throat and clear heat — handy for a hot, sore throat and for those with dry, sluggish bowels.

Method

1. Break open the monk fruit and put it with the sterculia in a pot.
2. Rinse once with boiling water, then pour in fresh boiling water and steep 15 minutes. Re-steep until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

Sterculia is fairly cooling, so do not use more than 3 seeds at a time. Besides soothing a sensitive airway and a sore throat, this tea is traditionally associated with easing the bowels and supporting blood pressure. Avoid it if you have a cold, weak stomach or a cold-wind type cold.