Perilla Leaf, Ginger, Scallion and Brown Sugar Tea

Why people make this tea

In autumn and winter the temperature swings between warm days and chilly mornings and evenings, and one careless moment is all it takes to catch a chill. Many people come down with a wind-cold type cold: a clear runny nose, thin white phlegm, aversion to cold and wind, no thirst, a cough, sometimes with headache, body aches or fever. Perilla leaf is traditionally used to release the exterior and dispel cold; paired with scallion and ginger, plus a little brown sugar to warm the stomach, it makes a comforting tea for the first signs of a wind-cold chill. Fresh perilla leaf is available at Chinese or Asian grocers; the dried herb works equally well.

Method

1. Wash and chop the perilla leaf. Trim and wash the scallion, then cut into segments.
2. Bring 900 ml of water to a boil, add the perilla, scallion and ginger and boil 7 minutes.
3. Add brown sugar, stir to dissolve, and drink warm.

Nourilo’s Tips

If you have no fresh perilla, 11 g of the dried herb works too. Drink this tea while it is warm — it is most helpful at the very onset of a wind-cold chill. After drinking, rest a while; a light sweat will speed recovery. Do not use it if you have a sore throat, since a sore throat usually appears before other cold symptoms and points to a wind-heat type.