Herbal & Flower Teas
Walnut, Spring Onion, and Ginger Tea
Traditionally used to release the exterior, dispel cold, and promote sweating
Why people make this tea
When the weather turns, children catch colds easily, so Bro Niu always reminds parents to teach little ones to wash their hands. As the cool season sets in and classrooms and school buses run the air-con, the wind-cold type cold becomes more common — its tell-tale signs are feeling cold with fever, headache, stuffy nose, clear runny nose, sneezing, cough, an itchy throat, no thirst, and a throat that is not red. This warming tea is traditionally given to children of weaker constitution with this kind of cold, to release the exterior, dispel cold, and encourage a light sweat.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Children of weaker constitution with a clear wind-cold cold (chills, clear runny nose, throat not red); adults with a wind-cold cold can take it too
- Not for heat-pattern colds with a red, swollen, sore throat or fever — those need a doctor’s assessment
- Adults may stir in a little rice wine if there is headache and body aches; children should not have the wine
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Walnut kernel (he tao ren): warming and nourishing, supporting a weaker constitution.
- Spring onion white (cong bai): traditionally used to release the exterior and dispel cold.
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): warming, traditionally used to promote a light sweat.
- Tea leaves (cha ye): a traditional carrier that helps clear the head.
Ingredients (2 to 3 small servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walnut kernels (he tao ren) | 1 liang (~37 g) | Chop |
| Spring onion whites (cong bai) | 5 | Chop |
| Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) | 5 slices | Chop |
| Tea leaves (cha ye) | 1 tablespoon |
Method
- Chop the walnut kernels, spring onion whites, and ginger slices.
- Put them with the tea leaves into a pot with 1.5 bowls of water.
- Boil for 15 minutes.
- Strain out the solids and serve in 2 to 3 portions.
Bro Niu’s tips
Adults with a wind-cold cold can take this tea too. If there is also headache and aching limbs, an adult may stir in a little rice wine — but children should not.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Carrie): My 15-month-old had a throat infection and fever for 3 days. After the fever broke, lots of runny nose and cough started. Is this walnut, ginger, and spring onion tea suitable for him? Bro Niu: After a throat infection with runny nose and cough, you can use magnolia flower (xin yi hua), ophiopogon (mai dong), and platycodon (jie geng) 3 qian each, a quarter of a luo han guo, and 1 qian licorice (gan cao), boiled in 4 bowls of water for half an hour — traditionally used to help clear lung heat, ease the throat, dry up the nose, and calm a cough.
- Q (yan): After a sore throat I have a lot of nasal mucus. I have a cold constitution and cannot take cooling things — what soup do you suggest? Bro Niu: If there is no throat pain, just lots of mucus, snip open 3 qian of magnolia flower (xin yi hua) and steep as a tea, with a little honey added. Magnolia flower is not cooling.
Published October 11, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
