Dried Fig & Mint Tea (Wuhuaguo Bohe Cha)

Main Ingredients

• Dried figs 2-3 pieces
• Fresh mint leaves 5-6 pieces
• Rock sugar or honey to taste
• Water 350-500ml

Steps

1. Rinse 2-3 dried figs and cut into small pieces; rinse 5-6 fresh mint leaves (if using dried mint leaves 2-3g, rinse quickly to remove dust).

   

2. Place the cut figs into a thermos, pour freshly boiled water (about 350-500ml) over them, cover, and steep for 30 minutes to fully release the active compounds from the figs.

   

3. After 30 minutes, open the thermos, add the rinsed mint leaves, and steep for another 2-3 minutes. Note: Do not steep mint for too long, as volatile oils may dissipate and reduce efficacy.

   

4. Add rock sugar or honey to taste if desired. Let cool to warm before drinking. Consume 1 dose daily, drinking frequently as tea. Finally, chew and eat the figs to make full use of dietary fiber and nutrients. Can be re-brewed until flavor fades.

   

TCM Notes

Dried Figs: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians. Known for clearing heat, generating fluids, strengthening the spleen, and detoxifying. Rich in amino acids, vitamin C, and iron, they nourish the lungs, protect the liver, and strengthen immune cells. Dietary fiber helps promote intestinal motility. Mint: Pungent in taste, cool in nature; enters the Lung and Liver meridians. Known for dispersing wind-heat, refreshing the head and eyes, relieving sore throat, and soothing the liver. The Compendium of Materia Medica states: "Mint is pungent and dispersing, cool and clearing, specialized in dispelling wind and heat; therefore, it is a key herb for headaches, head wind, eye, throat, and dental conditions". Modern research shows that mint's refreshing aroma comes from volatile mint oil, which has expectorant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Synergistic Effect: Figs clear heat, moisten the lungs, and strengthen the spleen; mint disperses wind-heat and relieves sore throat. Together, they achieve the effects of clearing heat, relieving sore throat, moistening the lungs, regulating qi, and stimulating appetite.

Suitable for：Those with sore throat, dry mouth, and hoarseness Those with wind-heat colds manifesting as headache, sore throat, and cough Those who frequently smoke, drink alcohol, or consume spicy foods Those with indigestion, poor appetite, and abdominal bloating Those with bad breath in need of fresh breath Those with lung dryness or internal heat in autumn General population for daily wellness, clearing heat, and moistening the lungs

Not suitable for：Those with Spleen-Stomach Cold Deficiency – mint is cool in nature and may damage Spleen yang, worsening diarrhea and stomach cold Pregnant women – mint is aromatic and dispersing; consult a doctor before consuming Breastfeeding women – consult a doctor before consuming Women during menstruation – mint is cool in nature and may cause discomfort Those with wind-cold colds – this tea is for wind-heat, not wind-cold Those with weak constitution and excessive sweating – mint is dispersing and may further deplete qi Those with hypotension – mint may affect blood pressure stability Those allergic to figs or mint