Perilla-Ginger-Brown Sugar Tea (cold type) and Mint-Mulberry-Chrysanthemum-Honeysuckle Drink (heat type)

Why people make these teas

During flu season, Bro Niu points out that not all bodies respond the same way. Traditional Cantonese food therapy distinguishes between two tendencies: a “cold constitution” (people who easily feel cold, have pale complexions, dislike wind, and tend toward clear nasal discharge) and a “heat constitution” (people who feel warm easily, prefer cold drinks, have a tendency toward yellow phlegm, sore throat and red face). Each needs a different approach. These two simple herbal teas are designed accordingly — one warming, one cooling — and both are inexpensive, quick to make, and easy to find at any Chinese herb shop.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• The perilla-ginger tea suits people who tend to feel cold, have pale faces, clear runny nose, and feel worse in the wind and cold
• The mint-honeysuckle tea suits those who tend to feel warm, have yellow phlegm, sore throat, red face, and prefer cool drinks
• Children can take either tea at a reduced portion: use half the quantities
• Pregnant women may use the perilla-ginger formula (which is traditionally considered safe and even calming for the fetus) but should avoid the honeysuckle formula without guidance
• G6PD (favism) patients should omit honeysuckle (jin yin hua) from the second formula — mulberry leaf, chrysanthemum and mint alone still provide a clearing effect
• For those with a very weak constitution overall, Bro Niu recommends also considering Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Screen Powder) granules as a general immune-supporting supplement; consult a practitioner

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

Perilla-Ginger Tea (for cold constitutions):

• Perilla leaf (zi su ye): Warming and aromatic; traditionally used to disperse wind-cold, ease nausea and settle the stomach
• Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): A universal warming herb; traditionally supports stomach warmth, relieves nausea and gently induces a light sweat to help the body deal with wind-cold invasion
• Brown sugar (hong tang): Warms the middle, adds palatability

Mint-Mulberry-Chrysanthemum-Honeysuckle Drink (for heat constitutions):

• Peppermint (bo he): Cooling and aromatic; traditionally used to clear wind-heat from the upper body, ease sore throat and headache
• Mulberry leaf (sang ye): Traditionally clears lung heat and calms a dry cough
• Balloon flower root (jie geng): Traditionally used to soothe the throat and help the body expel phlegm
• Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Cooling; traditionally supports clearing head and eye heat
• Honeysuckle (jin yin hua): Widely used in Chinese medicine for its traditionally anti-inflammatory properties; modern research has looked at its antiviral and antibacterial activities
• Licorice (gan cao): Harmonizes the formula and soothes the throat

Ingredients (1 serving each; double for a family of 3–4)

Perilla-Ginger-Brown Sugar Tea (cold constitution)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Perilla leaf (zi su ye)	3 qian (~9 g)	Dried from herb shop, or fresh
Fresh ginger	4–5 slices
Brown or black sugar	To taste
Water	3 bowls (~600 mL)

Mint-Mulberry-Chrysanthemum-Honeysuckle Drink (heat constitution)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Peppermint leaf (bo he)	1 qian (~3 g)
Mulberry leaf (sang ye)	2 qian (~6 g)
Balloon flower root (jie geng)	2 qian (~6 g)
Chrysanthemum flower (ju hua)	2 qian (~6 g)
Honeysuckle flower (jin yin hua)	2 qian (~6 g)	Omit for G6PD patients
Licorice root (gan cao)	1 qian (~3 g)
Water	3 bowls (~600 mL)

Method

For both teas:

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly.
2. Combine with water in a small pot.
3. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Strain and drink while warm.
5. To make a family-sized batch for 3–4 people, simply double all quantities.

Bro Niu’s tips

These quantities are for one person. For a family of three or four, doubling the amounts is sufficient — no need to multiply further. If your constitution is very weak and you catch colds repeatedly, Bro Niu suggests looking into Yu Ping Feng San (玉屏风散) granules as a general immune-strengthening tonic; it is available at most traditional Chinese medicine shops.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Annie): For the Mint-Mulberry-Chrysanthemum-Honeysuckle Drink — G6PD patients cannot take honeysuckle. Is there a replacement, or can we just leave it out? Bro Niu: G6PD patients should skip the honeysuckle. The mulberry leaf, chrysanthemum and mint already provide a good clearing and cooling effect — the formula still works without it.

• Q (Man): My child is under two years old. Which flu-prevention tea is suitable? Bro Niu: If the child tends toward cold (cold hands and feet, pale complexion), use the perilla-ginger tea, three times a week. If the child tends to be warm (enjoys cold drinks, warm hands and feet), the mint-mulberry-chrysanthemum drink is suitable.

• Q (reader, pregnant, 19 weeks): I often have a dry sore throat. What can I drink? Bro Niu: Try a pot of white radish and snow pear with a little rock sugar — 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls — taken over 3 sessions. This is gentle and suitable during pregnancy.

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Published January 6, 2017 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.