Herbal & Flower Teas
Rush Pith Poria Spirit Lily Tea
Traditionally calms the heart and eases restless night-time crying in infants
Why people make this tea
Babies and young toddlers sometimes cry through the night without an obvious cause — no fever, no wet diaper, not hungry. In Cantonese food-therapy tradition, this pattern is sometimes attributed to an excess of “heart fire” (xin huo), which is broadly understood as the infant’s nervous system being overstimulated or unsettled. This three-ingredient brew uses very mild herbs — rush pith, poria spirit, and dried lily bulb — and has been used for generations as a calming bedtime drink for unsettled infants. It is considered gentle enough for small babies.
Before using any herbal remedy for an infant, however, first rule out common causes: hunger, gas, teething, overheating, and illness. If a child has a fever or other symptoms, see a doctor before trying food remedies.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suited to infants and young children who cry at night without obvious cause (no fever, no illness)
- Also beneficial for adults with heart restlessness, anxiety, or difficulty sleeping
- If the child has a fever, blocked nose, or other signs of illness — treat the illness first and consult a doctor
- Always check with a paediatrician before giving herbal teas to very young infants
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Rush pith (deng xin cao): A delicate, feather-light herb used in Chinese food therapy to “clear heart fire” — traditionally associated with calming agitation and reducing heat in infants; very mild in nature
- Poria spirit (fu shen): The innermost portion of the poria mushroom, thought to be more calming than ordinary poria (fu ling); traditionally used to quiet an unsettled mind and support sound sleep
- Lily bulb (bai he): A neutral, sweet herb traditionally associated with calming the heart and easing emotional restlessness; widely used in children’s and adults’ calming formulas
Ingredients (1 bowl)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rush pith (deng xin cao) | 6–7 small bundles | Sold pre-bundled in Chinese herb shops; very lightweight |
| Poria spirit (fu shen) | 3 qian (~9 g) | Distinguish from ordinary poria (fu ling); fu shen has a pine-root core |
| Lily bulb (bai he), dried | 4 qian (~12 g) | Pale dried slices; rinse before using |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients briefly under cool water.
- Combine with 4 bowls (about 1 litre) of water in a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, reducing to about 1 bowl of liquid.
- Strain and cool to a comfortable drinking temperature before serving to infants.
Bro Niu’s tips
The medicinal flavour of this tea is mild, and many children accept it without fuss. It is also helpful for adults who feel anxious, irritable, or cannot settle at night — heart fire does not only belong to the very young. For a family of three, scale up to 10 bundles of rush pith, 1 liang each of poria spirit and lily bulb, and 6 bowls of water simmered to 3 bowls.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Y Y): This tea — is it suitable for my 2-year-old girl? She has many dreams, sleeps restlessly, often wakes up crying, and rarely sleeps through the night. We are all exhausted. Bro Niu: Yes, this calming-heart tea is fine for her. Try three doses in a row and see how she responds.
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Q (Cherry): My son is 8 years old. He has slept poorly since he was small — wakes several times a night, grinds his teeth, and needs us very close before he can fall asleep. What soup could help? Bro Niu: Teeth-grinding in children is usually linked to underlying nervous tension. Talk with him, understand what worries him, and encourage him openly. For the tea, try a formula with wheat grain (xiao mai mi, 1 liang), roasted licorice root (zhi gan cao, 2 qian), lily bulb (1 liang), poria spirit (5 qian), longan flesh (yuan rou, 5 qian), and five red dates — simmer as a light sweet soup. The whole family can drink it. Three doses per week, as a gentle support.
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Q (mandy): My baby girl is 11 months and fell out of bed yesterday. Since then she wakes easily and cries. Can she have this tea? Bro Niu: A tumble can give babies a fright, and this tea is appropriate. However, if she cries without stopping or vomits at all, please see a doctor right away to rule out concussion.
Published February 11, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
