Herbal & Flower Teas
Perilla Leaf, Ginger and Brown Sugar Tea
Traditionally used to warm the body and ease early wind-cold chills
Why people make this tea
When the weather turns cool and you have not dressed warmly enough, you can catch what the old folks call a wind-cold chill — that shivery, stuffy-nose, clear-runny-nose, sneezy feeling where you crave a hot drink and have no thirst. Bro Niu’s go-to in that moment is this three-ingredient tea. Perilla leaf and ginger are warming and traditionally said to “scatter wind-cold” and settle the chest, while a little brown sugar makes it pleasant to drink and helps you feel comforted faster.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suited to people at the very first sign of a cold-type chill: aversion to cold, clear (not yellow) nasal discharge, sneezing, no thirst, a preference for warm drinks.
- Bro Niu notes this tea has a settling, pregnancy-friendly quality, so it may be taken in pregnancy. For young children with a weak constitution, keep the brown sugar light (too much sweetness can encourage phlegm).
- It is not for hot-type colds with sore throat and thick yellow phlegm. If symptoms are severe or persistent, please see a doctor.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Perilla leaf (zi su ye): Traditionally used to scatter wind-cold, move qi, and gently calm coughing. Fresh leaf is considered more effective than dried.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): Warming; traditionally pairs with perilla to drive out cold.
- Brown sugar (hong tang): Warming and comforting; used here to make the tea palatable and to support recovery.
Ingredients (2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh perilla leaves (zi su ye) | ~40 g (or ~19 g dried) | Sold at fresh-herb stalls; fresh is preferred |
| Fresh ginger (sheng jiang) | ~19 g | Sliced |
| Brown sugar (hong tang) | To taste | Keep it light for children |
Method
- Rinse the fresh perilla leaves well.
- Combine perilla, ginger and brown sugar with 3 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 20 minutes until reduced to 2 bowls. Drink warm.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fresh perilla leaf is sold at fresh-herb stalls and works better than the dried form, but do not over-boil it — about 20 minutes is enough. If a child has a weak constitution, you can pan-fry an egg and drop it into the soup to simmer along with the tea.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (yy): Can I take this together with Western medicine? Bro Niu: This tea should not clash with Western medicine. Just space them about an hour apart.
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Q (dada): Bro Niu, is it alright in early pregnancy? Bro Niu: This tea has a calming, pregnancy-supportive quality, so it can be taken during pregnancy.
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Q (man): My 1.5-year-old started sneezing yesterday with a little clear runny nose and stuffiness, sleeping poorly and drinking less milk. Is this tea suitable? Bro Niu: You can give this tea to your little one — just use less brown sugar so it does not encourage phlegm.
Published December 8, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
