Herbal Teas
Dried Fig, Honeysuckle & Licorice Tea (Wuhuaguo Jinyinhua Gancao Cha)
Dried Fig, Honeysuckle & Licorice Tea is a classic medicinal tea known for its core benefits of clearing heat, detoxifying, and soothing the throat. Figs clear heat, generate fluids, and moisten the lungs; honeysuckle clears heat, detoxifies, and disperses wind-heat; licorice root tonifies the spleen, resolves phlegm, relieves cough, and harmonizes the other ingredients. Together, they achieve the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, soothing the throat, moistening the lungs, and resolving phlegm. The tea is sweet, mellow, and soothing – an ideal daily wellness tea for chronic pharyngitis, sore throat, and hoarseness. This tea is also suitable for those who overuse their voice.
Main Ingredients
- Fresh figs 5 pieces
- Honeysuckle flowers 20g
- Licorice root 6-10g
- Rock sugar or honey to taste
Steps
Rinse 5 fresh figs (approx. 150-200g) and slice thinly. Rinse 20g of honeysuckle flowers and 6-10g of licorice root quickly to remove dust.
Put the sliced figs, honeysuckle flowers, and licorice root into a glass pot or large cup. Pour freshly boiled water (about 500-800ml) over the ingredients. Cover and steep for 30 minutes before drinking.
Add rock sugar or honey to taste if desired (diabetics may omit). Consume 1 dose daily, drinking frequently as tea for 5-7 consecutive days. Finally, chew and eat the fig slices to make full use of dietary fiber and nutrients.
TCM Notes
Fresh Figs: Sweet in taste, cool in nature; enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Known for clearing heat, generating fluids, moistening the lungs, relieving sore throat, and strengthening the spleen. Contains malic acid, citric acid, lipase, and protease, which aid digestion and help lower blood pressure. Active compounds have anti-inflammatory and swelling-reducing effects. Honeysuckle Flowers: Sweet in taste, cold in nature; enters the Lung, Heart, and Stomach meridians. Known for clearing heat, detoxifying, and dispersing wind-heat. Used for wind-heat, febrile diseases, and sore throat. Contains luteolin glycoside and chlorogenic acid, which inhibit various pathogenic bacteria and upper respiratory tract viruses. Licorice Root: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Heart, Lung, Spleen, and Stomach meridians. Known for tonifying the spleen, resolving phlegm, relieving cough, and harmonizing the other herbs. Licorice is neutral in nature and helps balance the coldness of honeysuckle, making the tea more温和. Synergistic Effect: Figs clear heat, generate fluids, and relieve sore throat; honeysuckle clears heat, detoxifies, and reduces inflammation; licorice harmonizes the herbs and resolves phlegm. Together, they achieve the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, soothing the throat, moistening the lungs, and resolving phlegm.
Suitable for：Those with chronic pharyngitis, sore throat, and hoarseness Those with wind-heat colds manifesting as fever, sore throat, and cough Those who overuse their voice (e.g., teachers, singers, broadcasters) Those with throat discomfort due to autumn-winter dryness Those who frequently smoke or have dry mouth General population for daily heat-clearing and moistening wellness
Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – honeysuckle is cold in nature and figs are cool; may damage Spleen yang, causing abdominal pain and diarrhea Pregnant women – honeysuckle is cold in nature and may affect pregnancy Women during menstruation – cold-natured herbs may cause qi and blood stagnation Those with wind-cold colds – this tea is for wind-heat, not wind-cold Diabetes patients – strictly control or omit sugar Those with hypotension Those with allergies – avoid if allergic to figs, honeysuckle, or licorice Not suitable for long-term excessive consumption – honeysuckle is cold in nature and may damage the spleen and stomach
