Herbal & Flower Teas
Scrophularia, Ophiopogon and Licorice Tea
Traditionally used to soothe throat discomfort and reduce sticky phlegm
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. Bro Niu 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.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for those with throat dryness, mild soreness, hoarseness, or thick sticky phlegm associated with internal heat or yin deficiency
- Also traditionally associated with supporting the clearing of mouth sores linked to yin-deficient fire
- Not suitable for those with a cold, weak stomach, or tendency toward loose stools (spleen-cold pattern) — the herbs are cooling in nature and may aggravate these conditions
- Pregnant women with a cold-constitution should consult a practitioner before use
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Scrophularia root (xuan shen): A cooling, yin-nourishing herb traditionally used for sore throat and heat-related inflammation; tonifies the kidneys and disperses internal heat
- Ophiopogon root (mai dong): Moistens the lungs and throat; traditionally associated with calming thirst, clearing residual heat, and easing dry cough
- Licorice root (gan cao): Harmonises the formula; traditionally used for throat soreness, cough, and as a buffer for the stronger herbs
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Scrophularia root (xuan shen) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Rinse before use |
| Ophiopogon root (mai dong) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinse before use |
| Licorice root (gan cao) | ~4 g (1 qian) | Rinse before use |
| Water | 5 bowls (~1 L) | — |
Method
- Rinse all three herbs briefly under cold water.
- Place the herbs in a pot with 5 bowls (about 1 L) of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer and cook for approximately 45 minutes until reduced to 2 bowls.
- Divide into two portions and sip throughout the day (morning and afternoon/evening).
Bro Niu’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), Bro Niu 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.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Helen, teacher’s son with persistent hoarse voice): My son has been a teacher for half a year and has constant throat discomfort. What would help him? Bro Niu: I suggest he prepare a thermos of luo han guo (monk fruit, 1/4 piece) and mai dong (3 qian) cooked into water and bring it to school. He should sip some every half hour of teaching. This can help protect the throat over time. At home, a nourishing soup of green olive, green radish, snow ear fungus, dried figs, and sweet and bitter almonds with lean pork is also very helpful for the throat long term.
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Q (Helen, 2019): I have had a sore throat for over a week, and it is now itchy and I am losing my voice. What can I do? Bro Niu: Use this xuan shen mai dong gan cao tea, and add half a luo han guo. Simmer with 5 bowls of water down to 3 bowls, and drink throughout the day for 3 days. This helps restore the voice and soothe the throat.
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Q (reader, about 8-month-old with inflamed throat): My 8-month-old has a throat infection with some coughing. Is there something safe to give her? Bro Niu: For a baby that young, try 1/6 of a luo han guo, 3 胖大海 (pang da hai, boat sterculia seeds), and 3 slices of licorice, simmered in 2 bowls of water down to 1 bowl for 3 days. It has a gentle anti-inflammatory effect on the throat.
Published March 12, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
