Poria Cocos, Job's Tears, and Fresh Ginger Tea

Why people make this tea

Bad breath is something many people quietly worry about, especially in social situations. Nourilo points out that it rarely has a single cause. In traditional Chinese wellness, persistent bad breath is often linked to internal imbalances such as excess heat in the stomach and intestines, a congested spleen with accumulated dampness, or even liver heat. Of course it can also come from dental issues like cavities or gum disease — those need dental care, not food therapy. But when the cause is more of a digestive-damp origin — bloating, sluggish digestion, a tendency toward weight gain and water retention — this three-ingredient tea has been used for generations as a gentle daily tonic.

Method

1. Rinse the poria cocos and raw Job’s tears; soak for 20–30 minutes to shorten cooking time.
2. Place all ingredients into a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to about 600 ml.
4. Strain or drink as is, including the softened Job’s tears (they are edible). Take once or twice daily.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is also beneficial for those with mild water retention and puffiness. However, the ginger makes it slightly warming — if your bad breath tends to be fiery and hot in character (think sore gums, mouth ulcers, a burning sensation), swap the ginger for 11 g each of ophiopogon (mai dong) and rush pith (deng xin cao) to make it more cooling. Take it about 4 times per week — no need to drink it every single day.