Reishi, Walnut & Apricot Kernel Tea

Why people make this tea

Chronic bronchitis is the kind of condition that can drag on through the cooler months, leaving a person exhausted from repeated coughing, broken sleep, and that heavy feeling in the chest. Nourilo recommends this slow-brewed tea as a gentle, daily support — not a quick fix, but something worth taking consistently for three to five days to build up a cumulative effect. The combination of reishi mushroom, walnut, and apricot kernels has been used in Chinese food therapy for generations to support lung health, ease wheezing, and help the body loosen and expel phlegm.

Method

1. Rinse the reishi slices, walnut kernels, and apricot kernels under cold water.
2. Combine all three in a pot with 1.2 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
4. Simmer uncovered for about 1 hour until the liquid reduces to approximately 300 ml.
5. Add rock sugar to taste and stir to dissolve.
6. Take warm each morning, on an empty stomach. Continue for 3–5 consecutive days.

Nourilo’s Tips

Take this first thing in the morning for best results — the digestive system is quieter and absorption is thought to be more effective at that time. Consistency matters more than the volume: drinking one bowl daily for several consecutive days is more beneficial than drinking a large amount on a single occasion. For children with a stubborn cough who cannot tolerate the bitterness, tiger milk mushroom (hu ru ling zhi) — actually a type of poria fungus from Southeast Asia — is a milder substitute that still supports the lungs.