Herbal & Flower Teas
Fresh Fingered-Citron (Fo Shou), Ginger and Red Date Tea
Traditionally used to soothe the 'liver' and move qi, easing stomach discomfort
Why people make this tea
Fresh fingered citron (fo shou) is beautifully fragrant — its golden colour and citrus scent make it a pleasure to work with. Brewed plain it is aromatic but quite bitter, so Bro Niu slices it and simmers it with ginger, red dates and a little rock sugar to make it easier to drink. This tea is traditionally used to soothe the “liver” and move qi, and is associated with the kind of stomach pain that shifts around, comes and goes, runs up into the sides, brings frequent belching, and flares with mood and stress — the classic “liver-stomach disharmony” picture in chronic gastritis and ulcer discomfort.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with chronic gastritis or ulcer discomfort that worsens with stress, with belching and shifting pain
- People who tend to “heat up” easily should go gently — one reader found two days of it brought slight gum and throat soreness; for them Bro Niu suggested pairing fingered citron with a pinch of osmanthus (gui hua) instead, which is less heating
- It can be drunk regularly as it is fairly mild, but stop if it doesn’t agree with you
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fingered citron (fo shou): traditionally used to soothe the liver, regulate qi, harmonize the stomach and resolve phlegm; its fragrant oils give a sense of ease.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): warms the stomach and disperses cold.
- Red dates (hong zao): nourish blood and soften the brew (can be swapped for dried figs if dates seem to bring phlegm).
- Rock sugar (bing tang): softens the bitterness and makes it easier to drink.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh fingered citron | ~19 g (5 qian) | Or dried, ~11 g (3 qian) |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | |
| Red dates | 6–8 | Or swap for 3 dried figs |
| Rock sugar | to taste |
Method
- Thinly slice the fresh fingered citron.
- Put it with the ginger and red dates in a pot with 3 bowls of water.
- Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in rock sugar until dissolved, then serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Dried fingered citron is sold at Chinese herbal pharmacies; fresh fingered citron, when in season, is available at Chinese or Asian grocers. As an everyday brew, you can pair it with rose buds (mei gui hua) to help soothe a stressed, stuck “liver-qi.” If you “heat up” easily, brew it with a pinch of osmanthus instead — gentler and kind to the stomach.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Naraaa): Where can I buy fresh fingered citron? Bro Niu: Fresh fingered citron can be found at Chinese herbal shops or Asian grocers when in season, though availability varies. The dried form is reliably stocked at Chinese herbal pharmacies year-round — use 2–3 qian.
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Q (Q): I made it without rock sugar and drank it as water for my mother; next morning she felt more phlegmy. Does this tea not suit her? Bro Niu: Fingered-citron tea shouldn’t bring on phlegm. Leave out the red dates and use 3 dried figs (wu hua guo) instead, and try again.
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Q (Qchan): I made fingered citron + ginger + red dates for two days; my stomach felt a bit better but my gums and throat started to ache slightly — I heat up easily and can’t take warming tonics. How else can I take fingered citron? Bro Niu: Pair the fingered citron with a small pinch of osmanthus (gui hua) instead — it’s less heating and kind to the spleen and stomach.
Published November 3, 2011 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
