Perilla Leaf, Ginger and Brown Sugar Tea

Why people make this tea

Hong Kong summers are hot, but the air-conditioning on transit, in malls and offices runs very cold — so many people end up with a stuffy or runny nose and cough. In traditional thinking “the nose is the window of the lungs,” and when lung-qi can’t spread, you get sneezing and a clear runny nose — signs of lung-cold. This simple tea is traditionally used to warm the lungs and ease that clear, watery runny nose.

Method

1. Rinse the perilla leaf; slice the ginger.
2. Cook with 900 ml of water for 5 minutes.
3. Add the brown or black sugar and stir until dissolved. Drink warm. Take 3–4 batches.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is quite aromatic and is traditionally said to warm the lungs and stomach, suitable also for those with a cold cough and during pregnancy. You can also make it in a vacuum flask: rinse the leaves once with boiling water, then steep in fresh boiling water for about 7 minutes. Fresh perilla is fragrant but not always available, so dried is commonly used (double the amount if fresh).