Fresh Dendrobium, Reed Root & Ophiopogon Tea

Why people make this tea

A bitter taste in the mouth — especially on waking — is one of the most common oral complaints Bro Niu receives questions about. In traditional food therapy it is often linked to excess heat in the liver and gallbladder, or to a shortage of fluids following a fever or illness. This simple herbal tea uses three classic ingredients to gently nourish and cool the body. It is particularly popular among parents whose children have recovered from a fever but still seem listless, dry-mouthed, and reluctant to eat. Bro Niu notes that fresh dendrobium orchid stem is the stand-out ingredient here — look for the purple, thicker variety at Chinese herb shops or Asian grocers for the best quality.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for adults and children with a dry, bitter mouth, especially following a cold or fever
• Can be given to young children whose appetite has not returned after illness
• Generally considered a cooling, nourishing tea — those who tend toward cold constitution (always feeling chilly, with watery stools) should use in moderation
• If fresh dendrobium is unavailable, substitute 9 g (3 qian) dried dendrobium; alternatively, one-quarter of a luo han guo (monk fruit) works as a substitute

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Fresh dendrobium orchid stem (xian shi hu): One of the premier yin-nourishing herbs in traditional food medicine; associated with generating fluids, nourishing the stomach, and clearing heat without being harsh. The purple, thick-stemmed variety is considered highest quality.
• Reed root (lu gen): A cooling herb from the hollow root of common reed; traditionally used to clear lung and stomach heat, relieve thirst, and encourage the production of body fluids.
• Ophiopogon root (mai dong): A sweet, slightly cooling herb classically paired with reed root; associated with nourishing the lungs and stomach and alleviating dryness.
• Rock sugar (bing tang): Added at the end purely for palatability; neutral in temperature, it does not counteract the cooling effect of the other ingredients.

Ingredients (2 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh dendrobium stem	~75 g	Soaked, rinsed, cut into 3–4 cm sections
Reed root	~40 g	Rinsed
Ophiopogon root	~9 g	Rinsed
Rock sugar	a small amount	Added at the end
Water	6 bowls (~1.2 L)

Method

1. Soak and rinse all ingredients. Cut the fresh dendrobium stems into 3–4 cm sections.
2. Place all ingredients except the rock sugar into a pot with 6 bowls of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for 45 minutes.
4. Add a small amount of rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
5. Serve warm. Suitable for all ages.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is gentle and nourishing. It works well for children who have recently recovered from a cold or fever and are still showing poor appetite, low energy, or an oral dryness. If you cannot find fresh dendrobium, dried dendrobium (3 qian) works — it still nourishes the stomach and benefits the eyes. Fresh dendrobium is available at Chinese or Asian grocers and herb shops, or online; look for thick, purple stems, which are considered the best grade.

For those who take it as a daily supplement, dendrobium powder dissolved in warm water (especially the霍山 huo shan variety) is effective too — taken on an empty stomach before meals is said to be ideal.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (anonymous): I wake up every morning with a dry, bitter mouth. Could this be liver heat? Is lack of sleep a factor? Bro Niu: You may well have some liver heat. Are you regularly staying up late and not getting enough sleep? Good sleep is the foundation — eat less spicy and fried food too. Try brewing American ginseng (hua qi shen) with chrysanthemum flowers as a daily tea; adding dendrobium powder makes it even more effective.

• Q (anonymous, on behalf of daughter, age 3): My daughter’s tongue coat is often thick and white. She has been dry-coughing in the mornings. Can she drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, brew this tea for your daughter. Drink 2 doses — if you see improvement, continue for another 2. It helps nourish the stomach and generate fluids.

• Q (janice): My 2-year-old had bad breath last week. He saw a Chinese medicine doctor and improved, then got a fever the next day. Now the bad breath is back — what soup or tea is suitable? Bro Niu: You can brew this reed root and dendrobium tea for him. If you cannot find fresh dendrobium, substitute one-quarter of a luo han guo (monk fruit).

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Published August 11, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.