American ginseng and fig tea
American ginseng slices simmered with dried figs and goji berries into a sweet, faintly bitter tea that clears heat, eases thirst and soothes a dry throat as autumn dryness arrives.
- 35 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: After End of Heat, autumn dryness starts to set in. A Yin-deficient constitution is already short of fluids, and after a summer of sweating easily suffers a dry mouth, a dry, sore throat and hot palms. American ginseng boosts qi, nourishes yin and generates fluids, while figs moisten the lungs and soothe the throat — a tea that refreshes without being cold.
Method
Prep 5 min · Cook 30 min- 1Halve the dried figs and rinse them with the ginseng slices and goji berries.
- 2Bring the water to the boil, add the ginseng and figs and simmer for 25 minutes.
- 3Add the goji berries and simmer for 5 minutes more, then strain and drink warm; the figs can be eaten too.
Cautions
- American ginseng is cooling: avoid it if your digestion runs cold, you have loose stools or a cold is just starting.
Chef's tips
- Choose ginseng slices with a pale yellowish cut face and a chrysanthemum-like pattern; good ones taste sweet, then bitter.
The TCM view
American ginseng is sweet, slightly bitter and cool, boosting qi, nourishing yin, clearing heat and generating fluids. Figs are sweet and neutral, moistening the lungs, soothing the throat and supporting the stomach and bowels; goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys. Together they replenish both qi and yin and moisten dryness, helping a Yin-deficient constitution ward off autumn dryness.
