Astragalus, atractylodes and siler tea
A tea version of the classic Jade Screen formula — three herbs simmered into a gently sweet brew that helps the body put up its own protective screen.
- 25 min
- Serves 2
- Simmer
- Easy
Why it suits you: A special constitution is easily sensitised — hay fever, sneezing and itchy skin flare up in air-conditioned rooms or when the weather turns. Jade Screen is TCM's classic formula for firming the body's surface: astragalus boosts qi, atractylodes strengthens the spleen and siler expels wind, like putting up a screen against outside triggers.
Method
Prep 5 min · Cook 20 min- 1Rinse the astragalus, atractylodes, siler and red dates and soak in water for 15 minutes.
- 2Tip everything, including the soaking water, into a pot, top up with the remaining water, bring to the boil and simmer for 20 minutes until about 500 ml remains.
- 3Strain and drink warm, in two portions over the day.
Cautions
- Stop while you have a cold, fever, sore throat or other heat signs. This is a medicinal tea, so consult a Chinese medicine practitioner before long-term use or if you take other medication.
Chef's tips
- A Chinese herbal shop can weigh out the herbs for you; choose genuine northern astragalus. Two or three times a week is plenty.
The TCM view
Astragalus is sweet and slightly warm, boosting qi, firming the surface and stopping sweating. Atractylodes is bitter, sweet and warm, strengthening the spleen and drying damp. Siler is pungent, sweet and slightly warm, expelling wind and relieving the surface. Red dates harmonise. Together they form Jade Screen, firming the surface without trapping pathogens and expelling wind without harming the body.
