Herbal & Flower Teas
Golden Monk Fruit and Sterculia (Pang Da Hai) Tea
Traditionally soothes the throat and clears heat
Why people make this tea
Winter is peak cold-and-flu season, and the first thing both tend to hit is the upper respiratory tract — runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache or fever. A common cold usually starts with a sore throat and clears in a day or two; flu tends to be heavier, with worse headache and fever. This monk fruit and sterculia tea is traditionally taken to soothe the throat and clear heat — handy for a hot, sore throat and for those with dry, sluggish bowels.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with a hot, sore or hoarse throat, dry cough, and dry constipation.
- Sterculia is cooling — do not exceed 3 seeds in one go. Not suited to those with a cold, weak stomach or a cold-wind type cold.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Golden monk fruit (jin luo han guo): Dehydrated and low-temperature roasted, so it is fragrant and sweet without being cloying, and retains more of its natural goodness; traditionally used to soothe the throat.
- Sterculia (pang da hai): Traditionally used to clear heat, moisten the lungs, ease the throat and free the bowels — associated with helping a hoarse, dry throat and constipation.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Golden monk fruit | 1/4 fruit | broken open |
| Sterculia (pang da hai) | 3 seeds |
Method
- Break open the monk fruit and put it with the sterculia in a pot.
- Rinse once with boiling water, then pour in fresh boiling water and steep 15 minutes. Re-steep until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
Sterculia is fairly cooling, so do not use more than 3 seeds at a time. Besides soothing a sensitive airway and a sore throat, this tea is traditionally associated with easing the bowels and supporting blood pressure. Avoid it if you have a cold, weak stomach or a cold-wind type cold.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Penny): Can a 10-year-old with a sore throat drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, a 10-year-old may take it.
Published December 5, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
