Herbal & Flower Teas
Black Bean, Floating Wheat & Southern Jujube Tea
Traditionally used to ease night sweats from yin deficiency
Why people make this tea
Some people sweat easily — especially those carrying extra weight, women going through menopause, or women feeling depleted after childbirth. In traditional thinking, sweating heavily during the daytime without exertion is called “spontaneous sweating” and is usually linked to qi deficiency; sweating at night that stops once you wake is called “night sweats” and is more often linked to yin deficiency. Bro Niu offers this warming little tea for the night-sweat type.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People who wake up damp at night (night sweats) of the yin-deficiency pattern; the floating wheat in it is also gentle enough for daytime spontaneous sweating.
- If night sweats go on for a long time and you feel cold after sweating, this may signal an underlying problem — please get a check-up with a doctor. Occasional sweating after heavy drinking, overwork, or stress is more ordinary.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Black soybean (hei dou): Traditionally nourishing; the green-kernel variety is considered more effective than the yellow-kernel kind.
- Floating wheat (fu xiao mai): A classic ingredient associated with reducing both yin-deficiency night sweats and qi-deficiency daytime sweating.
- Southern jujube (nan zao): Adds gentle sweetness and is traditionally used to support the blood and round out the tea.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green-kernel black soybeans | 2 tbsp | Rinse and soak |
| Floating wheat | 2 tbsp | Rinse and soak |
| Southern red jujubes | 4 pieces | Rinse clean |
Method
- Soak and rinse the black soybeans and floating wheat separately; rinse the jujubes.
- Add everything to 5 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 45 minutes until reduced to 2 bowls. Drink warm.
Bro Niu’s tips
The green-fleshed black soybean works better than the yellow-fleshed type. If you are too busy to simmer a pot, you can dry-roast the rinsed black soybeans in a pan for about 12 minutes and the floating wheat for about 5 minutes, then store them in a glass jar. Steep 15–20 minutes whenever you want a quick cup.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (reader): Can I leave the black beans un-roasted and just steep them in boiling water? Should men avoid drinking it daily? Bro Niu: The black beans should be cooked until properly done — simmer them at least 20–30 minutes. Men can have it 4–5 times a week.
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Q (Ms. Au): After a high fever (flu, then COVID, then a shingles vaccine, each over 39.6°C), I started having night sweats. I drank black bean, floating wheat, astragalus and jujube tea for three days and felt better, but on the fourth night the sweating came back. What can I cook to improve it? Bro Niu: Try adding 5 qian (about 19 g) of astragalus (bei qi) to the pot — it helps with excessive sweating.
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Q (Cola): I have qi and yin deficiency with internal heat — no sweat when still, but lots when I move; no night sweats, but occasional hot flushes. Is this tea right for me (blood pressure slightly high)? Bro Niu: For qi deficiency you can add 5 qian of astragalus. If you worry about it being too “heating,” swap in 3 qian of tai zi shen. Note: astragalus over 5 qian tends to lower blood pressure, while under 3 qian tends to raise it — it is a two-way qi-tonifying herb.
Published February 19, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
