Rush Pith Poria Spirit Lily Tea

Why people make this tea

Babies and young toddlers sometimes cry through the night without an obvious cause — no fever, no wet diaper, not hungry. In Cantonese food-therapy tradition, this pattern is sometimes attributed to an excess of “heart fire” (xin huo), which is broadly understood as the infant’s nervous system being overstimulated or unsettled. This three-ingredient brew uses very mild herbs — rush pith, poria spirit, and dried lily bulb — and has been used for generations as a calming bedtime drink for unsettled infants. It is considered gentle enough for small babies.

Before using any herbal remedy for an infant, however, first rule out common causes: hunger, gas, teething, overheating, and illness. If a child has a fever or other symptoms, see a doctor before trying food remedies.

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly under cool water.
2. Combine with 1.2 L of water in a small saucepan.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, reducing to about 300 ml of liquid.
4. Strain and cool to a comfortable drinking temperature before serving to infants.

Nourilo’s Tips

The medicinal flavour of this tea is mild, and many children accept it without fuss. It is also helpful for adults who feel anxious, irritable, or cannot settle at night — heart fire does not only belong to the very young. For a family of three, scale up to 10 bundles of rush pith, 38 g each of poria spirit and lily bulb, and 1.8 L of water simmered to 900 ml.