Keeping these ten Chinese herbs at home makes it easy to brew nourishing teas or cook medicinal soups anytime. They help fight inflammation, prevent colds, support eye health, and aid digestion. The benefits are numerous and versatile.

1. Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle tea with a little honey is ready in minutes and just one teaspoon per serving is enough. It’s great for soothing a sore throat or itchy skin and can also be used as a mouth rinse to protect your gums. Concentrated honeysuckle water can even be applied to children’s skin for prickly heat or irritation.

Because it’s slightly cooling, it’s best to drink honeysuckle tea after meals. Avoid drinking it on an empty stomach, especially if you’re prone to stomach discomfort or are menstruating. If you have cold hands and feet, use it only at the first sign of a chill.

2. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is slightly bitter and a little colder than honeysuckle. It helps clear the liver, brightens the eyes, and disperses wind-heat. It can also help lower blood pressure and ease chronic eye problems like dryness, inflammation, or allergies. Chrysanthemum is packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, making it perfect for daily use.

3. Goji Berries

Goji berries are sweet, mildly warming, and highly nourishing. They support liver and kidney health, improve vision, and can reduce age-related tinnitus. Use four to five berries for tea or ten to twenty for soup. Eating too many may cause heat, especially in the eyes.

Goji berries are often paired with chrysanthemum. Adjust the amount based on how your body reacts. Reduce chrysanthemum if the tea causes stomach discomfort, or add a bit more if your throat feels dry or your gums swell.

4. Red Dates

Red dates are sweet and neutral in nature. They help nourish the blood and support digestion, and they also balance other herbs in a formula. Two to three dates in tea or ten to twenty in soup works well. If you are prone to bloating, use a smaller amount.

5. American Ginseng

American ginseng is cool and gently energizing. It protects the respiratory system, boosts energy, and helps maintain vitality. Drink it before three in the afternoon so it doesn’t affect your sleep. Use three to five slices per serving. Steep it in hot water or simmer gently to keep its active compounds. When cooking with meat, pre-cook the meat first or use a double boiler with the ginseng.

6. Ginger

Fresh or mature ginger helps promote sweating, warms the stomach, relieves nausea, and stops coughs. Drink ginger tea at the first sign of a chill, but avoid it if you already have a fever or sore throat. It pairs well with cold foods like seafood. Use in moderation, as too much may cause heat in the body, especially if you tend to get dry or stay up late.

7. Angelica

Angelica is sweet, spicy, and warming. It nourishes and regulates the blood, promotes tissue repair, improves circulation, relieves pain, and supports digestion. It’s best cooked in soups or stews. Herbal recipes should be adjusted individually since everyone’s age and constitution are different.

8. Coix Seed

Coix seed is slightly cold and mildly sweet. It helps remove dampness, promotes urination, and strengthens the spleen. It’s safe to eat during diarrhea but should be avoided during constipation. Coix seed is hard, so it’s best cooked with beans rather than rice. Red bean with coix seed soup warms and nourishes in cold, damp weather. Green bean with coix seed soup cools and detoxifies during hot, humid months.

9. Astragalus

Astragalus is sweet, slightly warm, and supports qi, immunity, and energy. It’s great for those who feel weak, fatigued, or catch colds easily. Avoid it if you are sick or prone to heat symptoms such as dry mouth, mouth sores, or acne.

10. Chinese Yam

Chinese yam is neutral and nourishing. It strengthens the spleen and stomach, supports lung and kidney health, improves appetite and digestion, and helps boost overall vitality. It’s especially helpful for older adults with weak knees or frequent urination. High in starch, it’s best cooked in soups or porridge like Four-Herb Soup or Yam and Pork Rib Soup.

Storage and Use

All of these herbs can be stored in the refrigerator. Flowers and fruits are great for teas, while roots and rhizomes are best simmered. Adjust the amount you use depending on the season and your body’s needs for the best results.