Sweet Soups & Desserts
Fresh Sauropus Leaf, Loquat Leaf, Candied Kumquat and Snow Pear Water
Traditionally associated with easing phlegm and soothing a dry, wind-heat cough
Why people make this water
At the herb stalls you often see fresh sauropus leaf (long li ye) and fresh loquat leaf — both gentle and clearing. Sauropus leaf is mild in nature and traditionally associated with moistening the lungs and easing cough, so it suits cold, hot or dry coughs alike with the right partners. Loquat leaf is geared more to wind-heat and dry coughs. Bro Niu brews this clear, sweet water for the seasonal dry-weather cough; with candied kumquat and snow pear it tastes pleasant enough that neither children nor elders refuse it.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits the whole family, including children and elders, for a dry or wind-heat cough; also enjoyed as autumn-dryness prevention
- Important: brush the fine hairs off the back of the loquat leaves, or they will irritate the throat and worsen the cough
- For throat pain, a reader was told to leave out the candied kumquat and use half a luo han guo instead; if there is colored phlegm or fever, please see a doctor
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Sauropus leaf (long li ye): mild, traditionally associated with moistening the lungs and easing cough
- Loquat leaf (pi pa ye): traditionally directed at wind-heat and dry coughs
- Candied kumquat (jie bing): traditionally said to moisten the lungs and calm cough
- Snow pear (xue li): traditionally associated with generating fluids and moistening the lungs
- Northern apricot kernel (bei xing): traditionally used to ease cough and calm wheeze
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh sauropus leaf (long li ye) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Or ~19 g dried |
| Fresh loquat leaf (pi pa ye) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Brush off back hairs; or ~19 g dried |
| Northern apricot kernels (bei xing) | ~11 g (3 qian) | Rinsed |
| Candied kumquat (jie bing) | 2 | Rinsed, cut open |
| Snow pears (xue li) | 1–2 | Skin on, cored, cut into chunks |
Method
- Rinse the sauropus and loquat leaves; brush the fine hairs off the back of the loquat leaves.
- Rinse the candied kumquats and apricot kernels; cut the kumquats open.
- Wash the snow pears with skin on, core and cut into chunks.
- Put everything in a pot with 7 bowls of water and simmer 1 hour down to 4 bowls; serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This water is clear and mild, with no harsh herbal taste, so the whole family can enjoy it — and it makes a nice everyday drink against autumn-dryness cough. If you can only get dried leaves, use about 19 g (5 qian) of each; fresh works a little better, but dried is fine when fresh isn’t available.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Xin): Can I skip the candied kumquat? My 21-month-old started a dry cough with a little phlegm and runny nose after a park outing, and his throat seems sore — does this water suit him? Bro Niu: You can use a quarter of a golden luo han guo in place of the candied kumquat — traditionally used to clear lung heat and soothe the throat.
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Q (Heihei): If I use dried instead of fresh sauropus and loquat leaf, how much, and is the simmer time the same? Bro Niu: Use about 19 g (5 qian) of each dried; fresh works a little better, but dried is fine if you can’t find fresh.
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Q (Huo Ma): I have a sore throat and dry cough with a feeling of something stuck — can I drink this? Bro Niu: Yes, but leave out the candied kumquat and use half a luo han guo instead.
Published August 19, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
