Herbal & Flower Teas
Dandelion and Honeysuckle Flower Tea
Traditionally used to support relief from breast inflammation and blocked milk ducts
Why people make this tea
New mothers are often caught off guard by mastitis — a painful inflammation of breast tissue that can develop rapidly in the first weeks of breastfeeding. The root causes are usually a combination of milk that is too thick or rich (from eating too many rich postpartum tonics like stewed chicken, fish maw, or sea cucumber too early), incomplete emptying of the breast, or bacterial entry through a cracked nipple. In the very early stages — tenderness, a sense of blocked flow, or a small firm lump — Cantonese food therapy turns to this simple two-herb tea. Dandelion and honeysuckle flowers both have well-documented anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties in botanical medicine, and together they make a refreshing tea that can be brewed repeatedly from the same leaves.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- New mothers in the early stages of mastitis, blocked milk ducts, or breast swelling and tenderness
- Also suitable for cancer patients as a supportive tea
- Cold-constitution individuals and those with weak or cold digestive systems (spleen-stomach deficiency) should avoid this tea — both herbs are cooling in nature
- G6PD-deficient individuals must not use honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua) — this is a real and serious contraindication; if you are not sure about your G6PD status, consult a doctor before use
- Not a replacement for antibiotics or medical care in moderate to severe mastitis
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dandelion (pu gong ying): One of the most widely used herbs in Chinese food therapy for clearing heat and resolving toxicity; specifically associated with reducing breast swelling and nodules (ru yong); modern botanical research confirms antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity
- Honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua): A classic cooling and detoxifying herb in Chinese medicine; paired with dandelion, the combination amplifies the heat-clearing and dispersing effect, making it a traditional first-line herbal tea for early inflammatory conditions
Ingredients (1 pot / 2–3 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried dandelion (pu gong ying) | 1 tablespoon | |
| Honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua) | 1 tablespoon | |
| Boiling water | enough to fill a teapot |
Method
- Place the dandelion and honeysuckle flowers in a teapot or heat-proof cup.
- Pour freshly boiled water over the herbs as a first rinse; discard this water immediately (this is a quick rinse to clean the herbs, not meant to be drunk).
- Pour a fresh addition of boiling water into the pot.
- Steep for 7–8 minutes with the lid on.
- Pour and drink while warm.
- You can refill with hot water and steep again until the flavour is gone.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea has both anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties, making it also suitable for cancer patients as part of a supportive herbal regimen. However, because both herbs are cooling by nature, it is not suitable for people with a weak or cold digestive constitution (signs include loose stools, easily cold hands and feet, or persistent low energy). G6PD-deficient individuals must avoid honeysuckle flowers entirely — this is a genuine safety concern, not a minor one.
Published October 25, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
