Herbal & Flower Teas
Astragalus (Bei Qi) and Goji Tea
Traditionally used to support qi, build strength and nourish the body
Why people make this tea
Astragalus grows in the northern reaches of China, so Hong Kong people often call it “bei qi”. It’s especially valued for qi-deficient folk — those who tire easily, sweat without exertion, get puffy limbs or struggle with urination. Bro Niu pairs it with goji as an easy daily tea to build strength.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good as a daily wellness tea for older or run-down, qi-deficient people; middle-aged and older women who drink it regularly may also find it supports the complexion and helps even out the skin.
- Not for those with a cold or fever, a damp-heat constitution, or who tend to be irritable and hot-tempered.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Astragalus (huang qi / bei qi): traditionally used to support qi and strengthen the body; associated with helping fatigue, spontaneous sweating and puffiness.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): associated with nourishing the blood and supporting the eyes.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sliced astragalus | 1 tbsp | |
| Goji berries | 1 tbsp |
Method
- Put the sliced astragalus and goji into a pot.
- Rinse once with boiling water, then refill with boiling water and steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is fragrant and nourishing for the whole body. But avoid it during a cold or fever, and if you have a damp-heat constitution or tend to run irritable and hot.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Amy): Can I drink American ginseng and dendrobium powder during chemotherapy? Bro Niu: Yes, you can during chemo — buy it from a large, reputable shop.
- Q (reader): My 4-and-a-half-year-old sweats a lot day and night; online it says night sweats are from yin-deficiency heat. Does dendrobium suit a child, how much, and with what? Bro Niu: Daytime sweating leans qi-deficient, night sweating yin-deficient — your child likely has both. Try 3 qian tai zi shen, 3 qian dendrobium, 1 liang black beans, 5 qian fu xiao mai and 4 southern dates in 5 bowls of water boiled to 2 bowls, for 3–4 doses.
- Q (Sum Sum): My adult daughter just recovered from hand-foot-and-mouth — any food therapy to help her recover? Bro Niu: Try 1 liang each of red beans, mung beans and raw job’s tears, 1 tangerine peel and 5 red dates in 7 bowls of water boiled 1 hour to 4 bowls, split over 2 days, for 2–3 doses.
Published March 5, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
