Dandelion and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

Dandelion is one of those plants that most people in the West walk past without a second thought — it is, after all, the same bright-yellow weed that pushes up through lawn grass everywhere. But in Chinese medicine, and increasingly in pharmacological research, the dried leaf has attracted interest as a mild natural antimicrobial with particular relevance to the stomach. Modern studies have suggested that dandelion may inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori — the bacterium associated with gastric ulcers, chronic gastritis, and persistent bad breath — and may also help repair damage to the stomach lining. Paired with licorice root, which has its own body of research suggesting activity against H. pylori including antibiotic-resistant strains, this is a practical daily tea for those dealing with gastric discomfort or wanting to support a stomach that has been through a rough patch. Nourilo recommends drinking it between meals — not on an empty stomach — three times a week.

Method

1. Place the dandelion leaf and licorice slices into a tea filter bag or directly into a teapot.
2. Pour a small amount of boiling water over the ingredients and discard — this rinses the herbs.
3. Pour fresh boiling water over the herbs and steep for 7 minutes.
4. Drink when comfortably warm. The same ingredients can be steeped multiple times until the flavour fades.
5. Best consumed between meals, not on an empty stomach.

Nourilo’s Tips

Dried dandelion leaf tea is made from the tender young leaves of the dandelion plant, sun-dried for use. It can be found in Chinese herb shops in areas with herb districts (such as Sai Ying Pun and Mong Kok in Hong Kong). The tea has a pleasant herbal fragrance but leans cooling — those with a cold constitution should always add ginger. H. pylori is a stubborn bacterium that requires patience and consistency; this tea is not a quick fix but a gentle daily companion for stomach health. If you enjoy raw fish or cold foods frequently, you are at higher risk of reinfection, so it is worth pairing this tea with a more cautious diet. Three servings a week is a good rhythm.