Fresh Lotus Seed, Lily Bulb and Juncus Tea

Why people make this tea

When babies and toddlers cry through the night without an obvious cause — hunger, cold, heat, insect bites, or a wet nappy — Chinese food-therapy tradition looks to the possibility of too much “heart fire,” a concept roughly describing internal heat affecting the nervous system. This simple three-ingredient tea is made precisely for little ones who cry at night with a flushed face, red lips, and a warm belly. The tea has almost no herbal bitterness, making it one of the friendlier remedies to give young children. Bro Niu notes that prevention starts during pregnancy: a balanced, moderate diet avoiding both extreme cold foods and spicy, fried foods lays a good foundation for the baby’s constitution.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Infants and toddlers who cry at night, appear restless, have a flushed face and warm abdomen, suggesting heat patterns
• Children who sleep too much during the day and are therefore unsettled at night — pair this tea with better sleep-habit training
• Generally safe for infants and young children; the tea is mild in flavour
• If the child has an ongoing cough, runny nose, or fever, address those first before using this tea; please see a doctor if symptoms are worrying

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Fresh lotus seeds with the green embryo intact (xian lian zi): The green embryo (lotus plumule) inside the seed is believed to be the most potent part for clearing heat from the heart channel. Keeping it in — rather than removing it — is important here.
• Lily bulb (bai he): A gentle, slightly sweet herb traditionally associated with calming the spirit, supporting sleep, and moistening the lungs.
• Juncus pith (deng xin cao): Delicate white pith bundled into small sticks, traditionally used to clear heat from the heart and small intestine meridians, and to calm restlessness in young children.

Ingredients (1 bowl)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh lotus seeds (xian lian zi)	~40 g	Split open; keep the green embryo inside
Dried lily bulb (bai he)	~20 g	Rinse and soak briefly
Juncus pith bundles (deng xin cao)	6–8 small bundles	Rinse
Water	4 bowls (about 800 ml)

Method

1. Rinse fresh lotus seeds and split them open — do not remove the inner green embryo.
2. Rinse lily bulb and juncus bundles briefly, then soak for a few minutes to remove any dust.
3. Combine all ingredients with 4 bowls of water in a pot.
4. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then simmer for 30 minutes until reduced to 1 bowl.
5. Strain and allow to cool to a suitable temperature before offering to the child.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is naturally light and fragrant with almost no medicinal taste, making it easy for babies and toddlers to accept. If fresh lotus seeds are unavailable, look for dried lotus seeds that have been kept with the embryo intact (labelled “you xin lian zi” — “lotus seeds with heart”). Soak them until soft, then crack them open before cooking. The little green embryo is the key part for clearing heart-heat. Offer the tea at a comfortable warm temperature.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (carlychan_915): My child is 3.5 years old — she falls asleep easily but has poor sleep quality and wakes frequently. Is this tea suitable for her? Bro Niu: Children often get too much stomach and stomach fire, which disturbs sleep quality. This tea is suitable; try three consecutive days, and if improvement is seen, pause for three days and then repeat.

• Q (reader, 2023-01-31): My five-year-old has been sleeping badly — lots of dreams, making sounds, moving around, and sometimes waking and struggling to fall back asleep. What can I brew? Bro Niu: This lotus seed, lily bulb and juncus tea is very suitable for children. It helps clear heart-heat and supports sleep. You can give it for three consecutive days.

• Q (苏太): What heat level should I use when cooking this tea? My grandson is ten-and-a-half months old, has no appetite for solid food, and doesn’t sleep well. Bro Niu: Medium heat is fine. For a baby’s solid food, rice paste, milk paste, and small-millet congee with lotus root starch are all gentle options — just keep portions small.

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Published September 22, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.