Astragalus, red date and lotus seed tea
A little astragalus with red dates and lotus seeds — mildly sweet and gentle, no sugar needed, and you can eat the lotus seeds too.
- 50 min
- Serves 3
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: Sensitive types are prone to hay fever and itchy skin, and Lichun's wind and sudden temperature swings often set them off. A small amount of astragalus firms up defensive qi while red dates and lotus seeds support digestion — simple, gentle and free of common allergens.
Method
Prep 5 min · Cook 45 min- 1Soak the lotus seeds for 30 minutes. Rinse the astragalus and red dates, and pit the dates.
- 2Bring everything to the boil with the water, then simmer for 40 minutes until the lotus seeds are soft.
- 3Pour into a flask for the office and sip warm in the afternoon; eat the lotus seeds and dates too.
Cautions
- Pause the astragalus during a cold, fever or sore throat; use fewer lotus seeds if you tend to be constipated.
Chef's tips
- Thermal cooker option: boil everything for 10 minutes in the morning, pour into the cooker and it is ready by the afternoon.
The TCM view
Astragalus is sweet and slightly warm; it builds qi and firms the body's surface against wind. Red dates are sweet and warm, build qi and harmonise the defences; lotus seeds are sweet, astringent and neutral and support the spleen and heart. The astragalus is kept small, so it warms without drying and suits spring's rising yang.
