Soup Name: Red Dates Tea
Traditional Chinese Name: 红枣茶 (Hóng zǎo chá)
Introduction:
My herbalist suggested I drink a simple tea made of red dates during my period. It’s super easy to make, as the dates are already sitting in the fridge and you just add hot water. Some people will boil it with a few other ingredients, such as wolfberries and fresh ginger slices. This is also an ideal confinement drink if you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth – replace this in place of coffee or tea to avoid the caffeine, but get the benefits of the blood replenishment.
Amount serves: 1 cup for 1 person (you!)
What Ingredients are required?
6 dried red dates, sliced
1 cup of boiling water
How do I prepare it?
- Slice your red dates thinly
- Add to a mug and add boiling water
- Steep for 2 minutes. It will get sweeter over time as the tea steeps further.
Any benefits?
- Helps rejuvenate the body after a period and restore blood loss
- Excellent for maintaining healthy blood pressure
- Excellent source of Vitamin C
Any precautions?
- Make sure you remove the seeds of dried red dates as the seeds are known to create “fire” in the body
Thank you for this great reminder. Do you usually eat the red dates as well? Or is it meant to be sufficiently helpful to drink the tea?
Many thanks
Dear burgbabe, I don’t eat the red dates, but you can. I use it just for flavor and I’ve found lately it’s a great substitute for tea and coffee while at work. So I’ll make a cup of 10 cut up dates and refill it with hot water about 3-4 times before it’s really bland. Hope this helps! Lisa
Hi! Can you recommend a soup great for nourishing the lungs after a cough from heaty yellow phlegm? I have recovered from my cold and been drinking ginger tea to keep my lungs warm because my lungs feel cold now. I think its due to the heat clearing food I’ve been eating to remove the heat from my body and to resolve the phlegm. Thank you.
Hi,
Can you clarify what do you mean by the seeds of dried dates are known to create fire? Does it mean if I cook with the seeds, it will be heaty for the body?
Thank you
Hi,
My understanding red date has the “replenish blood” effect. I wonder why your herbalist suggest you to have this tea when you are having your period. Then you will get very heavy period?
However, It is normally recommended for having after period to ” replenish the blood” in the body. Thanks.
Dear,
May I check with you if red date tea suitable for pregnant women?
Dear Christine, absolutely! Red dates is a warming ingredient and suitable for both pregnant and postpartem. Congrats! Lisa
Hello, my sister got me to drink this last year to combat tiredness and achy body. After couple of drinks, my period came heavily for a week. I am in my mid-50s and had stopped my period a year ago then. She is now trying to get me to drink this again daily (she gave me your link) but I’m reluctant because of what happened. Can you please advise if the drink did actually cause the period? Thanks.
Dear Connie, from my understanding, red dates actually increase blood flow and production. I don’t drink this drink this during or before period and it’s usually recommended to drink red dates after period for recovery of blood. To be honest, I’m not sure of the effects on women who have stopped their periods and whether it causes anything funny. Sorry I can’t be of more help! Lisa
Hi Lisa, thanks for replying. No worries, I was hoping I could go back to my sister with an answer and tell her to stop bugging me hahha. Maybe I will try drinking this just once or twice a week..to help give me energy, Cheers!
Can you drink this while pregnant?
Hi Monica, absolutely! It’s actually perfect for pregnancies. Red dates are warming ingredients and actually part of the postpartum repertoire of things to eat! Enjoy! Lisa
Hi
Can i repeat to drink dates soup for 3 or 4 time per days?
Can i steep it overnight?
Hi Cece,
The most I’ve drank is about 3 times per day and at one point, it got too heaty for me. You’ll have to test what works with your body based on whether you’re a ying or yang based. Chinese doctors can tell you which one you are! Hope this helps! Lisa
Hi
Can i steep it overnight?
Yes! That’s what I do! And then perfect to drink the next day! I use the Japanese hot insulated mugs. Great idea! Lisa
Dear Lady Tong,
Can red-dates be drunk during first trimester? Is it okay to drink after it is in the fridge? Thank you!
Dear Joey, yes, red dates are women’s friend! You can drink almost any time of the year, any condition as it’s slightly warming and perfect for our bodies, especially in recovery, post partum, post period. However, the Chinese always do say, to drink “warm” things, so after taking out from fridge, let it warm a bit before consuming. Lisa