Processed Loranthus, Lotus Seed and Egg Sweet Tea

Why people make this tea

Loranthus (sang ji sheng) has been cherished in Cantonese herbal kitchens for centuries — widely considered a particular ally for women, it is traditionally associated with strengthening the liver and kidneys, reinforcing bones and tendons, supporting skin quality, and helping to stabilise the foetus. It is especially valued for women who have experienced repeated early pregnancy loss. Modern phytochemical research has identified flavonoid compounds in loranthus — including broadleafin glucoside — that have been associated with sedative, blood-pressure-lowering, and diuretic properties, and with supporting healthy coronary blood flow.

The version Nourilo recommends here is processed loranthus (制桑寄生, zhi sang ji sheng) — steamed and sun-dried — which tastes notably smoother, sweeter, and less astringent than the raw variety, making it much more pleasant to drink regularly. Combined with fresh lotus seeds and hard-boiled eggs in a light rock-sugar broth, this is a genuinely delicious drink that the whole family can enjoy, not just expectant mothers.

Method

1. Place processed loranthus in a mesh soup bag; soak and rinse.
2. Remove the bitter green cores from the fresh lotus seeds.
3. Pit the red dates and halve them.
4. Hard-boil the eggs in a separate pot, then peel and set aside.
5. Place loranthus (in its bag), lotus seeds, and red dates into a pot with 2.4 L of water.
6. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour.
7. Add rock sugar and the peeled hard-boiled eggs; continue cooking until the sugar dissolves.
8. Serve; eat the eggs, lotus seeds, and dates alongside the soup.

Nourilo’s Tips

Fresh lotus seeds are available in autumn at Chinese or Asian grocers — when in season they cook up soft, floury, and fragrant. The cores you remove from them can be spread on a plate to dry; once dried, a couple of teaspoons make a pleasant, mildly bitter tea for clearing heart heat and supporting healthy blood pressure. Dried lotus seeds from a herbalist also work, though the flavour of fresh is hard to beat.

Note on serving: the quantities in this recipe make a family-sized pot. If only one person is drinking, reduce ingredients to about one quarter (loranthus 19 g, lotus seeds and lily bulb 19 g each, 4 to 5 red dates) in about 1.2 L of water, to avoid over-consumption.