Tonic Drinks & Waters
Daylily, Lily Bulb and Red Date Drink
traditionally used to nourish blood, calm the mind, and support restful sleep
Why people make this drink
Daylily (huang hua cai, sometimes called the “flower of forgetfulness” or wang you cao) is one of Bro Niu’s favourite everyday food-therapy ingredients. It’s iron-rich — the iron content is said to be around twenty times that of spinach — and it’s prized for its lecithin, which is thought to support brain function and memory. Paired with the gently cooling lily bulb and sweet red dates, this drink has long been made in Chinese households for anyone who feels emotionally unsettled, has trouble sleeping, feels forgetful, or simply needs something restorative after a long stretch of mental work.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits most people of all ages, including children who are restless or have difficulty concentrating.
- Can be enhanced with a small amount of lean pork or fresh baby abalone for added nourishment.
- Generally very safe; no significant cautions for typical use.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Dried daylily buds (jin zhen, huang hua cai): Exceptionally rich in iron; traditionally associated with calming the mind, lifting mood, and supporting memory. One of the highest plant sources of iron available.
- Dried lily bulb (bai he, Lilium brownii): Traditionally used to clear heart heat, calm the spirit, and ease restlessness or emotional unease.
- Red dates (hong zao): Gently warming; traditionally used to nourish the blood, strengthen the spleen, and support overall vitality. Pitting them reduces their heating quality slightly.
Ingredients (~3 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried daylily buds (jin zhen) | ~19 g (5 qian) | Soak and rinse before cooking |
| Dried lily bulb (bai he) | ~38 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse before cooking |
| Red dates (hong zao) | 6–8 pieces | Pitted |
| Water | 6 bowls (~1.5 litres) | Reduces to ~3 bowls |
Method
- Soak and rinse the daylily buds and lily bulb separately; drain.
- Pit the red dates.
- Combine all ingredients in a pot with 6 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer for about 1 hour, until the liquid reduces to approximately 3 bowls.
- Drink the liquid and eat the softened ingredients.
Bro Niu’s tips
This drink is naturally sweet and pleasant, suitable for all ages and gentle enough for daily use. Children with hyperactivity or attention difficulties may also benefit. For a more substantial version, add a small piece of lean pork or a few fresh baby abalones when you put everything in the pot — it turns the drink into a light nourishing soup. A weekly batch is easy to keep in the fridge for a few days.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Eda): Is the chamomile-goji-ophiopogon tea suitable as a general health tea for someone without diabetes? Bro Niu: Yes, it works well as a wellness tea for non-diabetics too — but there is no need to drink it every day; three cups a week is plenty.
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Q (Amy): I am an elderly person and have recently developed dark patches on my forehead and temples. What might be causing this? Bro Niu: Age spots are often linked to a weakening liver in traditional medicine. If the spots are slightly raised, they could be flat warts. Try drinking coix seed (yi ren) powder stirred into water. You can also mix coix seed powder with honey and a little water to make a paste, apply it to the patches every other day for about 15 minutes until the skin turns slightly pink, then rinse off. This may help gradually lighten the spots.
Published March 12, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
