Golden Monk Fruit and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

Everyone knows that smoking and heavy drinking damage health — but knowing and stopping are two different things. For people who smoke because of work pressures or stress, or who simply haven’t found the right moment to quit, this gentle tea offers a small measure of support in the meantime.

Research suggests that regular smokers die ten to twelve years earlier on average than non-smokers, and second-hand smoke carries its own risks. Chronic heavy drinking affects judgment, strains the liver, and can lead to cirrhosis and gastric bleeding over time. Nourilo is honest about this: the best course of action is to smoke and drink less. But for those who struggle to stop, having a daily cup of this tea is at least something useful.

When smoking or drinking leads to a hoarse voice, dry throat, persistent thirst, or a dry cough, golden monk fruit is one of the most effective and pleasant food-therapy ingredients available. Unlike the traditional smoked version of monk fruit — which has a distinctive medicinal tang that some people find off-putting — golden monk fruit is prepared by low-temperature dehydration, making it sweeter and milder in both flavour and energetic quality. Its slightly cold nature is reduced, making it suitable for a wider range of people.

Method

1. Chop the golden monk fruit into pieces (it can be broken by hand — the shell is thin).
2. Combine with licorice root in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid reduces to about 900 ml.
4. Drink throughout the day. Can be served warm or cooled; both are suitable.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is naturally sweet and pleasant — suitable for the whole family, young and old. It can be drunk warm or cold. For those with a colder constitution or stomach sensitivity, Nourilo suggests using only one-sixth of the monk fruit rather than a whole one, and adding a piece of tangerine peel (chen pi) to warm and balance the formula.