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. Bro Niu recommends drinking it between meals — not on an empty stomach — three times a week.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for those with gastric heat symptoms: stomach pain, acid reflux, bloating, nausea, or persistent bad breath.
• Traditionally used to support recovery alongside medical treatment for H. pylori.
• Not suitable for those with a constitutionally cold stomach (those who feel worse after cold food or who tend toward cold-type diarrhoea). If you are cold-constitutioned but still want to try this tea, add 2 slices of fresh ginger and a couple of red dates to warm the formula.
• Three servings per week is the general recommendation.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Dandelion leaf (pu gong ying): Often described in Chinese medicine as a natural antibiotic herb; associated with clearing stomach heat and fire, reducing inflammation, and supporting the repair of the stomach lining. The dried leaf form used here is lighter and more delicate than the root, with a pleasantly herbal flavour.
• Licorice root (gan cao): A harmonising herb used in almost every Chinese herbal formula; associated with reducing inflammation, protecting mucous membranes, relieving stomach spasm and pain, and moderating the cooling effect of dandelion. Research has suggested it may inhibit H. pylori independently.

Ingredients (1 pot, refillable)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried dandelion leaf tea (pu gong ying)	2 tablespoons	Available from Chinese herb shops; some Western health stores
Licorice root slices (gan cao)	4 to 5 slices	Dried; available from Chinese herb shops

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.

Bro Niu’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.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Jacky): I have just been diagnosed with H. pylori and want to avoid antibiotics. Can I take dandelion tea, blackcurrant juice, and licorice honey all at the same time? How should I schedule them? Bro Niu: Dandelion tea can help, but H. pylori is quite tough — patience is essential. Because dandelion is cooling, always add ginger slices or extra licorice. Blackcurrant juice works by helping the bacteria detach from the stomach wall — drink it on an empty stomach, 5 to 10 minutes before eating. The bacteria only survive in an acidic environment, so once dislodged by food movement into the intestines, they cannot thrive and will eventually pass out of the body. You can use both the tea and the juice in the same day — drink the tea between meals and the juice just before eating.

• Q (Letty): I am cold-constitutioned and start coughing when I have cold drinks. Can I add ginger to the dandelion tea? Bro Niu: Absolutely — add fresh ginger slices and red date pieces to the teapot together with the dandelion and licorice. This reduces the cooling nature of the formula considerably.

• Q (Elaine): My husband had H. pylori treated years ago but still has acid reflux and bloating. Can he drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, acid reflux and bloating after H. pylori treatment may suggest the bacteria was not fully eliminated — it is very resilient. Try this tea, and also look for pure blackcurrant juice at the supermarket; drinking it twice daily can further help dislodge the bacteria. Three servings of the tea per week is the right frequency.

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Published April 6, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.