Perilla Leaf, Ginger and Brown Sugar Tea

Why people make this tea

When the weather turns cool and you have not dressed warmly enough, you can catch what the old folks call a wind-cold chill — that shivery, stuffy-nose, clear-runny-nose, sneezy feeling where you crave a hot drink and have no thirst. Nourilo’s go-to in that moment is this three-ingredient tea. Perilla leaf and ginger are warming and traditionally said to “scatter wind-cold” and settle the chest, while a little brown sugar makes it pleasant to drink and helps you feel comforted faster.

Method

1. Rinse the fresh perilla leaves well.
2. Combine perilla, ginger and brown sugar with 900 ml of water.
3. Simmer about 20 minutes until reduced to 600 ml. Drink warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

Fresh perilla leaf is sold at fresh-herb stalls and works better than the dried form, but do not over-boil it — about 20 minutes is enough. If a child has a weak constitution, you can pan-fry an egg and drop it into the soup to simmer along with the tea.