Roasted rice tea

What the tradition says

The tradition holds that 產婦坐月時不可飲開水而要飲炒米茶, that a confinement mother must not drink plain water but roasted rice tea instead, because 生產後脾胃虛弱 and plain water would cause 胃脹、尿頻、便秘、腳腫. Practitioners state that the tea is 開胃健脾、暖胃祛寒、加強新陳代謝. The belief that plain water causes oedema is a traditional one, no mechanism or evidence was located, and it inverts normal physiology.

After a caesarean

順產媽媽生產後可立即飲用炒米茶，而剖腹產媽媽則要醫生準許後才可開始飲, vaginal-birth mothers may start immediately; caesarean mothers start only once the doctor permits.

Ingredientsserves 1

Method

1. Dry-fry the rice and the peel over low heat to pale golden only.
2. Cool completely and store in glass.
3. Steep 1 tablespoon per cup in a vacuum flask for 30 to 45 minutes.

Also cooked then

Steamed chicken with shiitake and dried scallopCalming tea, lily bulb, finger citron, red date and gojiSteamed whole fish; steamed barramundi or sea bass with preserved mustard greens (梅菜清蒸鱸魚 / 蒸石斑)

Information only. This page records a food tradition and is not medical advice. Recovery differs for everyone. If you are breastfeeding, recovering from a caesarean, taking medication, or feeling unwell, speak to your doctor, midwife or a registered practitioner first. Full statement