Jian Pi Qu Shi Tea (Spleen-Strengthening Dampness-Clearing Tea)

Why people make this tea

In Hong Kong and other humid subtropical regions, summer brings not just heat but a pervasive, sticky dampness that many people feel in their bodies — heavy limbs, sluggish digestion, loss of appetite and a general sense of waterlogged fatigue. In Cantonese food therapy, this condition is described as “dampness accumulation” (shi) affecting the spleen and digestive system. This six-ingredient herbal tea is one of the most commonly prescribed remedies: mild, safe and effective enough for children and adults alike. Most Chinese herbal shops stock a pre-packaged mix that provides one batch, making it one of the most accessible food-therapy teas around.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Adults and children in humid summer weather who feel heavy, sluggish or have poor appetite
• Those who are about to start a nourishing or tonic programme: drinking 1–2 doses of this tea first is said to improve the body’s ability to absorb tonics
• Postpartum women (Bro Niu confirmed this is appropriate)
• Those with heavy sweating can add 3 qian of huang qi (astragalus) and 5 qian of floating wheat (fu xiao mai) to the batch to help with sweat regulation

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Coix seed (yi mi): One of the most widely used dampness-clearing ingredients in Chinese food therapy. Associated with supporting the spleen and draining dampness through the urinary system.
• White atractylodes (bai zhu): Traditionally associated with strengthening the spleen and drying dampness. Works well in combination with poria.
• Poria mushroom (fu ling / yun ling): A mild, slightly sweet mushroom used extensively in Chinese herbal medicine. Associated with calming the mind and supporting the spleen in clearing dampness.
• Hyacinth bean coat (bian dou yi): The dried skin of the hyacinth bean. Gentler and less starchy than the whole bean; traditionally used to clear summer dampness and heat.
• Water plantain rhizome (ze xie): A cooling herb associated with promoting urination and draining dampness. Balances the formula.
• Corn silk / corn cob (su mi xin): Mild and slightly sweet; widely used in Cantonese soups for its association with clearing heat and dampness. Children find this flavour pleasant and it makes the tea more palatable.

Ingredients (4–5 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Coix seed (yi mi / sheng yi mi)	11–19 g (3–5 qian)
White atractylodes (bai zhu)	11–19 g (3–5 qian)
Poria mushroom (fu ling / yun ling)	11–19 g (3–5 qian)
Hyacinth bean coat (bian dou yi)	11–19 g (3–5 qian)
Water plantain rhizome (ze xie)	11–19 g (3–5 qian)
Corn silk / corn cob (su mi xin)	11–19 g (3–5 qian)
Water	6–7 bowls (~1.2–1.4 L)

These herbs are typically sold pre-packaged as a set at Chinese herbal medicine shops — one packet provides one batch.

Method

1. Rinse all the herbs briefly under running water.
2. Place all ingredients in a pot with 6–7 bowls of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour.
4. The liquid should reduce to approximately 4–5 bowls.
5. Drink throughout the day, warm or at room temperature.

Bro Niu’s tips

• The corn silk in the mix gives the tea a mild, pleasant flavour that children don’t mind — this is one of the few herbal teas where kids rarely need convincing.
• You can add one piece of fresh corn (the cob) if corn silk is not available. Honey dates or dried figs can also be added to sweeten slightly.
• If you sweat heavily in summer, Bro Niu suggests adding 3 qian of huang qi (astragalus / bei qi) and 5 qian of floating wheat (fu xiao mai) to the pot — this can help with excessive sweating.
• For 2 people: use 5 qian of poria, 5 qian of bai zhu, 4 qian of bian dou yi and 2 honey dates. 6 bowls of water, cooked down to 3–4 bowls.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Tiff D): Should I use raw coix seed (sheng yi mi) or cooked/toasted coix seed (shu yi mi)? Bro Niu: Raw coix seed is generally used for this dampness-clearing tea.

• Q (Tiff D): Besides clearing dampness, does this tea help with heavy sweating and excessive facial sweating? Bro Niu: For heavy sweating, add 3 qian of huang qi (bei qi) and 5 qian of fu xiao mai (floating wheat) to the tea — that will help stop the sweating.

• Q (Lingbboy): Can I drink this tea right after giving birth? My family says I should drink a dampness-clearing tea before starting any tonic drinks. Bro Niu: Poria, bai zhu and bian dou yi are mainly for strengthening the spleen and clearing dampness. Drinking one or two doses before tonic drinks does help with absorption of the tonics.

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Published May 28, 2013 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.