Herbal Teas
Jujube & Lychee Drink (Lychee Red Date Soup)
Jujube & Lychee Drink is a classic tonic medicinal beverage from the Chinese Medicinal Diet Dictionary. Dried lychee nourishes blood and strengthens the spleen, while red dates tonify the middle, boost qi, and calm the mind. Together, they achieve the effect of strengthening the spleen and nourishing blood. Made primarily from lychee flesh, red dates, and white sugar, this drink generates fluids, quenches thirst, strengthens the spleen, nourishes blood, and regulates qi to relieve pain. The liquid is reddish and sweet, with the fruity aroma of lychee blending with the fragrance of red dates. It is especially suitable for qi-blood deficiency, poor appetite, fatigue, and dry mouth and throat.
Main Ingredients
- Dried lychee 15g
- Red dates (jujubes) 30g
- White sugar 20g
- Water 300-500ml
Steps
Shell 15g of dried lychee; rinse 30g of red dates. If using fresh lychee, take 150g of flesh, shell and pit, and cut into small pieces.
Place dried lychee and red dates in a pot with about 300-500ml of water. Soak for 15 minutes.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20 minutes until the red dates are soft and the lychee aroma is fully released.
Add 20g of white sugar (optional) and stir until dissolved. Take 1 dose daily, divided into 2 servings, warm. Drink the liquid and eat the lychee and date flesh, discarding the pits.
TCM Notes
Lychee: Sweet and sour in taste, warm in nature; enters the Spleen and Liver meridians. Known for nourishing blood, strengthening the spleen, generating fluids, quenching thirst, and regulating qi to relieve pain. Contains approximately 41mg vitamin C, 151mg potassium, and 0.4mg iron per 100g, along with glucose and sucrose that provide quick energy and relieve fatigue. Red Dates (Jujubes): Sweet in taste, warm in nature; enter the Spleen and Stomach meridians. Known for tonifying the middle, boosting qi, nourishing blood, and calming the mind. Rich in iron and cyclic AMP, supporting hemoglobin synthesis and improving iron-deficiency anemia. Synergistic Effect: Dried lychee nourishes blood and strengthens the spleen; red dates tonify the middle and nourish blood. Together, they strengthen the spleen and nourish blood. The organic acids in red dates also help the body absorb the iron in lychee more effectively. Total approx. 150-200 kcal (depending on sugar amount)—a warming tonic medicinal beverage.
Suitable for：Those with qi-blood deficiency, poor appetite, fatigue, and dry mouth and throat Those with anemia, postpartum blood deficiency, or scanty menstruation Those with spleen deficiency diarrhea and chronic loose stools (also suitable for children with weak spleen and stomach) Those with restlessness, insomnia, excessive dreaming, and neurasthenia Those with poor appetite and abdominal distension from chronic gastritis Those with weak constitution or in post-illness recovery
Not suitable for：Those prone to internal heat – both lychee and red dates are warm in nature; long-term excessive consumption in those with heat-prone constitution may cause symptoms such as dry mouth, thirst, and swollen gums Diabetes patients – use with caution. Lychee and red dates are relatively high in sugar; control intake to avoid blood sugar fluctuations Those with yin deficiency with internal heat – use with caution; reduce intake to avoid worsening internal heat Those with acute inflammation – not suitable during active acne, boils, colds, or acute inflammation, as it may worsen the condition Those with excess internal heat – not recommended Hypoglycemia patients and when fasting – avoid. Excessive lychee consumption may cause hypoglycemic symptoms such as nausea and fatigue Those with hyperuricemia – control lychee intake Those allergic to lychee or red dates – avoid. If symptoms such as skin itching or diarrhea occur after consumption, discontinue immediately
