Tonic Drinks & Waters
Loquat Leaf, Dragon Tongue Leaf, Dried Tangerine and Pear Water
Traditionally used to clear heat, dissolve phlegm, and gently support thyroid-related neck swelling; also helpful for dry throat and persistent cough
Why people make this herbal water
Mild neck swelling around the thyroid area is something many people — especially women — encounter at various life stages. Physiological swelling during puberty or pregnancy, where the thyroid is simply working harder to meet the body’s hormonal demands, is generally harmless and often resolves on its own. However, if the swelling appears suddenly, feels hard, or is accompanied by eye protrusion, heart palpitations, or changes in weight and appetite, these are signs of a pathological thyroid condition that requires medical evaluation.
This gentle herbal drink is traditionally associated with helping mild, physiological-type neck swelling. Its core ingredients — loquat leaves and dragon tongue leaves — are both well-established in Cantonese food therapy for clearing heat from the lungs and throat, dissolving phlegm, and supporting smooth airway function. The dried tangerine biscuit (a preserved citrus treat unique to southern Chinese culinary traditions) adds a warming, throat-clearing quality, while pear lubricates and moistens. Bro Niu notes that this water is mild and balanced enough that even pregnant women can drink it.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Appropriate for those with mild, physiological thyroid swelling — such as during puberty, pregnancy, or other periods of hormonal adjustment — as a supportive food-therapy drink.
- Safe for pregnant women.
- Also helpful for those who smoke or drink frequently, have a dry and rough throat, or experience a persistent phlegmy cough.
- For pathological thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or confirmed thyroid nodules with growth): food therapy is a complementary support only — please see a doctor and take prescribed medication. Food therapy alone is not sufficient treatment.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Fresh loquat leaves (xian pi pa ye): Bitter and neutral in nature. One of the classic lung-clearing herbs in Cantonese food therapy. Traditionally used to clear lung heat, reduce phlegm, and ease coughing. The fresh leaves are more potent than dried (use 5 qian of dried if fresh is unavailable).
- Fresh dragon tongue leaves (xian long li ye): A distinctive Cantonese herbal ingredient associated with clearing lung heat, lubricating the throat, and dissolving phlegm. Also available dried (5 qian).
- Southern and northern almonds (nan bei xing): The combined blend of both types of apricot kernel is a Cantonese staple for respiratory soups. Slightly sweet and moistening, they support lung function and help dissolve phlegm.
- Dried tangerine biscuit (jie bing): A preserved, slightly sweet-and-salty dried tangerine product unique to southern Chinese medicine food culture. The white crystalline coating is natural tangerine frost — a known expectorant. Available at Chinese herbal medicine shops.
- Asian pear (xue li): Sweet, cooling, and deeply moistening. Pear is one of the most used fruits in Cantonese lung-soothing recipes, especially for dry cough, throat irritation, and thirst.
Ingredients (3–4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh loquat leaves (xian pi pa ye) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse and cut into pieces; remove any fuzzy surface coating |
| Fresh dragon tongue leaves (xian long li ye) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse and cut into pieces |
| Southern and northern almonds (nan bei xing) | 37 g (1 liang) | Rinse |
| Dried tangerine biscuit (jie bing) | 2 pieces | Chop or roughly crush; available at Chinese herbal shops |
| Asian pear (xue li) | 1–2 pieces | Rinse, core, and cut into chunks; no need to peel |
Method
- Rinse the loquat and dragon tongue leaves and cut into sections.
- Chop the dried tangerine biscuits into pieces.
- Rinse the pear, remove the core, and cut into large chunks (no need to peel).
- Place all ingredients together in a pot with 7 bowls (about 1.75 litres) of water.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce to a medium-low simmer for 1 hour until the liquid reduces to 3 to 4 bowls.
- Strain and serve warm, or drink as-is including the softened pear.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fresh loquat leaves and dragon tongue leaves are available at Chinese herbal stalls (shan cao yao stalls). If you cannot find fresh versions, substitute with 5 qian each of the dried forms. If you live overseas and cannot find dried tangerine biscuit, replace it with 1 piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) — the tangerine biscuit’s white crystalline frost (natural tangerine oil) has a useful expectorant quality that the fresh fruit does not, but dried tangerine peel is a reasonable substitute. If you have thyroid nodules (confirmed by imaging), you can also regularly drink a simpler tea of summer plum spike (xia ku cao, 1 liang) and Zhejiang fritillaria (zhe bei mu, 4 qian) simmered in 4 bowls of water to 2 bowls — this is traditionally associated with clearing heat and dissolving lumps. Always combine with medical care.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Shum): My husband’s thyroid nodules and water cyst were confirmed on his most recent check-up. Is there a food therapy he can use? Bro Niu: He can regularly drink a tea of Luo Han Guo (golden monk fruit) and tangerine peel simmered together as a daily drink. If the nodules grow, it is important to see a TCM practitioner.
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Q (Shum, follow-up): After tests it was confirmed as benign nodules, with no medication from the Western doctor. The right side has visible swelling. Is there food therapy to reduce it? Bro Niu: You can try xia ku cao (summer plum spike), 5 qian, and zhe bei mu (Zhejiang fritillaria), 4 qian, together with half a golden monk fruit, simmered in 4 bowls of water for 30 minutes to 2 bowls. Take for 4 to 5 consecutive days. If there is improvement but not complete resolution, rest a few days and repeat another 4 to 5 doses. Avoid fried and spicy food.
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Q (KC / KH): I live overseas and cannot find fresh loquat leaves, dragon tongue leaves, or dried tangerine biscuit. Can I substitute dried leaves and fresh tangerine? Bro Niu: You can use dried loquat leaves and dried dragon tongue leaves — use 5 qian of each. Tangerine biscuit has a natural white crystalline coating that helps dissolve phlegm, which fresh tangerine does not have. Substitute with 1 piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) instead.
Published March 20, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 5 min read.
