Scrophularia, Ophiopogon and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

Eating too many fried or grilled foods, or simply burning the candle at both ends, can leave the throat feeling scratchy, dry, or like there is something stuck in it — and the phlegm, when it does appear, tends to be thick and hard to shift. Traditional Chinese food therapy attributes this to “heat injuring the yin” of the lungs and throat. Nourilo puts together three well-known cooling and moistening herbs to make a tea that is easy to simmer on a weekday evening. It has a gentle, slightly bitter-sweet flavour and is designed to be sipped throughout the day.

Method

1. Rinse all three herbs briefly under cold water.
2. Place the herbs in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for approximately 45 minutes until reduced to 600 ml.
4. Divide into two portions and sip throughout the day (morning and afternoon/evening).

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is good for yin-deficient fire patterns and mouth sores in addition to throat discomfort. However, those with a cold stomach or loose stools should not use it — it is a cooling formula. If the main symptom is throat tickle without pain (rather than soreness), Nourilo suggests a gentler alternative: steep dried plum (wu mei), chrysanthemum, and a few slices of licorice in hot water instead — it is less cooling and works well for an itchy cough.