Plum Blossom, Fa Xia & Tangerine Cake Tea

Why people make this tea

Have you ever felt something lodged in your throat — not painful, not a physical lump — that you cannot swallow down or cough up? In traditional Chinese medicine this is called “mei he qi” (literally “plum-stone qi”) and it is a recognized pattern that predominantly affects women, often linked to emotional stress, suppressed feelings, or prolonged tension. The sensation tends to appear or worsen when the person is anxious and disappears during eating.

Classical TCM theory holds that when liver qi becomes stagnant — often through unresolved worry or frustration — it can travel upward to constrict the throat and create this very distinctive feeling. This tea formula draws on dried plum blossoms to gently ease liver stagnation, processed pinellia to resolve phlegm and descend rebellious qi, and tangerine peel and tangerine cake to harmonize the stomach and relieve bloating. It is a time-tested, pleasant-tasting remedy.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Well suited to: adults (especially women) experiencing globus sensation, frequent sighing, belching, chest tightness, or mild emotional congestion; those with phlegm-related coughing can also benefit.
• Can be taken alongside Chinese herbal prescriptions — allow one hour between this tea and other medicines.
• Caution: pregnant women should not consume flower herbal teas. The processed pinellia in this formula is safe for most adults; raw pinellia is not an acceptable substitute.
• Not suitable for those with active fever.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Dried plum blossoms (la mei hua / bai mei hua): Traditionally used to soothe liver qi stagnation, dissolve phlegm, and open the appetite. Also associated with reducing mild inflammation — wax plum flower extract is used in traditional wound care.
• Processed pinellia (fa xia): A key phlegm-resolving herb in classical formulas; “descends” rebellious qi and eases the stuck, upward-pressing sensation in the throat. The processing step with ginger juice removes raw irritants. This formula is inspired by the classical “Ban Xia Hou Po Tang” for globus sensation.
• Dried tangerine peel (chen pi): Moves qi, dries dampness, and settles the stomach; helps relieve bloating and belching.
• Tangerine cake (ju bing): Candied dried tangerine; harmonizes the stomach and adds a pleasant sweetness that makes the tea easy to drink.

Ingredients (2 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried plum blossoms (la mei hua or bai mei hua)	6 g (2 qian)	Available from Chinese herbal shops; substitute 9 g bergamot (fo shou gan) if unavailable
Processed pinellia (fa xia)	9 g (3 qian)	Must be processed/prepared, not raw
Dried tangerine peel (chen pi)	1 piece
Tangerine cake (ju bing)	2 pieces	Cut or scissor into smaller pieces
Water	5 bowls (~1.25 L)

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly.
2. Lightly crush or break the pinellia (fa xia) into smaller pieces so it releases its properties more readily.
3. Cut or scissor the tangerine cakes into rough pieces.
4. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1 hour until the liquid has reduced to about 2 cups.
6. Strain and drink warm. The tea has a mildly sweet and fragrant taste.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is sweet without being cloying, and gentle enough for long-term use without harming the body’s normal function. Beyond its traditional use for globus sensation, it also helps those who produce excessive phlegm or have a persistent cough. Three times per week is a good frequency; stop once symptoms improve. If wax plum blossoms are hard to find, bergamot (fo shou gan) at 9 g is a reliable substitute. Dried plum blossoms, tangerine peel, and tangerine cakes are all available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (小玥): My symptoms are globus sensation — a feeling of something in the throat after eating. If I cannot find plum blossoms, what can I use instead? And how often can I drink this tea? Bro Niu: You can substitute bergamot (fo shou gan) at 3 qian. Drink 3 times a week; stop once symptoms improve.

• Q (Anny): I feel something stuck in my throat — not painful when swallowing. One doctor says it is acid reflux, another says it is throat inflammation. I tried medication but still feel the blockage. Is there food therapy? Bro Niu: You may have liver qi stagnation causing the stomach to be affected — this is consistent with globus sensation. You can try this tea; drink 3 to 4 servings and see if there is improvement.

• Q (Maren): I was diagnosed with globus sensation by a TCM practitioner. I have been coughing on and off for years and tried Western medication for what I thought was asthma. Can I drink this tea while taking Chinese herbal medicine? Bro Niu: Yes — if you are already taking Chinese medicine, leave one hour between them and drink this tea 3 times a week until the condition improves. And remember: one of the most important things for this condition is learning to let go of worries. That is easier said than done, but the body responds when the mind finds some peace.

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Published January 16, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.