Rose and Albizia Phlegm-Clearing Tea

Why people make this tea

Have you ever felt like something is lodged in your throat — not painful, not itchy, just persistently there — that you can neither swallow nor cough up? In traditional Chinese medicine this is called mei he qi (plum-stone qi), and it is thought to arise when emotional stress causes qi to stagnate and fluids to congeal into phlegm along the throat. It is particularly common in people under heavy work pressure, those prone to emotional fluctuation, and women approaching menopause. This simple flower tea uses herbs traditionally valued for their ability to gently move liver qi and dissolve phlegm, making it easy to prepare daily in a tea bag.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suited to adults who experience the classic “something stuck in the throat” sensation linked to stress or emotional tension, especially when accompanied by mild low mood or irritability.
• Pregnant women should avoid herbal flower teas — this recipe is not suitable during pregnancy.
• If symptoms are severe or accompanied by actual swallowing difficulty, weight loss, or pain, please see a doctor promptly; these require medical evaluation.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Rose buds (mei gui hua): Traditionally considered to soothe liver qi stagnation, ease emotional tension, and support the smooth flow of qi and blood.
• Albizia flower buds (he huan hua lei): Classically called “the happiness flower,” traditionally used to calm the mind and ease depressive feelings that accompany qi stagnation.
• Processed pinellia (fa xia): A core herb in classical phlegm-resolving formulas; traditionally used to descend rebellious qi and dissolve phlegm in the throat.
• Aged tangerine peel (chen pi): Supports qi movement in the middle, helps transform phlegm, and adds a pleasant aroma to the tea.
• Golden monk fruit (jin luo han guo): Adds natural sweetness, traditionally associated with clearing heat and moistening the throat.

Ingredients (1 serving, re-steep until pale)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried rose buds	1 small pinch (~3–5 buds)	Widely available at Chinese herb shops
Albizia flower buds	1 small pinch	Buy the small, fluffy-looking type; avoid the large thick-petalled “night-blooming” variety
Processed pinellia (fa xia)	1 small pinch	Crush lightly before use
Aged tangerine peel (chen pi)	1 small pinch	Snip into small pieces
Golden monk fruit (jin luo han guo)	1 small pinch	Crush lightly; available at Chinese herb shops

Method

1. Place all ingredients into a cloth tea bag and seal.
2. Put the tea bag into a small teapot or mug.
3. Pour boiling water over it once, then discard that first rinse.
4. Pour in fresh boiling water and steep covered for 10–15 minutes.
5. Drink warm. Re-steep with fresh boiling water until the tea loses its flavour.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea has a pleasant floral aroma with minimal herbal bitterness, suitable for both men and women. For best results, take it consistently for two to three weeks — do not expect overnight results. If liver qi stagnation symptoms are already present, aim for three portions per week; if you are drinking it as a general wellness measure, drink it as you like. Prepare a fresh portion each day; do not re-boil yesterday’s tea.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Kristy): We cannot find albizia flower buds — can we use the open albizia flower instead? How much should we use? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use open albizia flower. However, be careful not to buy the large thick-petalled “night-blooming” flower that some herb shops also call albizia — the genuine one looks fluffy like cotton floss when it has opened.

• Q (Susanna): How many times a week should we drink this tea? Bro Niu: If you are already experiencing liver qi stagnation symptoms, three portions a week. If you have no symptoms and are drinking it as a general health measure, drink it as you please.

• Q (Susanna): Does “one portion” mean I need to make a fresh batch each time, or can I re-brew? Bro Niu: One fresh batch per day — do not re-boil the same tea from the previous day.

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Published August 30, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.