Herbal & Flower Teas
Reishi, Walnut & Apricot Kernel Tea
traditionally associated with nourishing the lungs and supporting respiratory comfort
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. Bro Niu 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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited for adults with chronic bronchitis, phlegmy cough with white or clear phlegm, kidney-deficiency-type asthma, or prolonged cough.
- Also suitable for children with a lingering cough — for young children who find the bitterness of reishi off-putting, replace it with tiger milk mushroom (hu ru ling zhi), which is milder.
- People with a yellow, thick phlegm cough (heat-type infection) should address the underlying infection first; this formula is more suited to cold or deficiency-type patterns.
- Those with low blood pressure should note that reishi is traditionally associated with a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect; use with awareness.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Black reishi (hei ling zhi, Ganoderma sinense): The black variety is less bitter than red reishi, making it more accessible as a daily drink. Reishi is associated in traditional Chinese practice with supporting overall vitality, strengthening respiratory tissue, calming cough, and reducing phlegm. Its bitter compounds (ganoderic acids) are considered its most therapeutically active component.
- Walnut kernels (he tao rou): Traditionally used to warm the kidneys and lungs. In classical food therapy, the kidneys are said to “govern the breath,” and walnut is a classic ingredient for kidney-deficiency-type wheezing and shortness of breath.
- Apricot kernels — mixed northern and southern (nan bei xing): A well-known pairing in Cantonese cooking. Both varieties are associated with stopping cough and directing lung qi downward to relieve wheezing. Southern apricot is sweeter and gentler; northern is slightly more potent. Together they are balanced and mild.
- Rock sugar (bing tang): Added to taste; in this context it also helps to moderate any lingering bitterness.
Ingredients (1 bowl / 1 serving)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black reishi slices | ~18 g (5 qian) | Use red reishi for stronger effect; tiger milk mushroom for children |
| Walnut kernels | ~18 g (5 qian) | Shelled; no need to remove skin |
| Mixed apricot kernels (nan bei xing) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Available at Chinese herbal shops and grocery stores |
| Rock sugar | To taste | Add in last few minutes |
| Water | 4 bowls (~1 litre) |
Method
- Rinse the reishi slices, walnut kernels, and apricot kernels under cold water.
- Combine all three in a pot with 4 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for about 1 hour until the liquid reduces to approximately 1 bowl.
- Add rock sugar to taste and stir to dissolve.
- Take warm each morning, on an empty stomach. Continue for 3–5 consecutive days.
Bro Niu’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.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Ms Lai): Is this suitable for a 14-month-old baby? Can the ingredients be found at an herbal shop? Bro Niu: For a 14-month-old, I would recommend using tiger milk mushroom (hu ru ling zhi) instead of reishi — it is much milder and very suitable for young children. Apricot kernels and walnuts are also fine. Yes, all ingredients are available at herbal medicine shops.
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Q (applewong): My son has bronchitis — can he drink this? He coughs day and night; I cannot tell what colour the phlegm is. His tongue coating is white and granular. Bro Niu: If the phlegm is white and thin and the cough is worse at night, this tea is suitable. However, with a white granular tongue coating, you might also try dwarf lilyturf (mai dong), balloon flower root (jie geng), schisandra berry (wu wei zi), goji berries (qi zi), and licorice root (gan cao) — each two qian, simmered in four bowls of water for 20 minutes for three consecutive doses. This helps with a lingering cough.
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Q (Carol): I have a cold constitution and also high blood pressure and airway sensitivity. Can I drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, you can drink the reishi, walnut, and apricot kernel tea.
Published January 12, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
