Astragalus, Mai Dong, Goji, Red Date and Apple Tea

Why people make this tea

Bro Niu recalls that during the SARS epidemic, a professor urged students to brew immune-supporting teas to lower the chance of infection. The professor explained that most tonic herbs are traditionally regarded as supporting immunity; since many people don’t know whether their constitution is cold, hot, deficient or excess, it is wise to choose milder, balanced tonic herbs. Astragalus, goji and red dates are among the gentlest, so back then Bro Niu brewed these three for his family daily. Here he adds mai dong and apple for a clearer, sweeter taste that is traditionally associated with generating fluids, moistening the lungs and supporting immunity — good for those with a weak constitution who get sick easily.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for those with a weak constitution who get sick easily, and for all ages
• A reader confirmed it is fine for pregnant women
• Cautions: apple cores are mildly toxic and must be removed; during a cold, runny nose with fever, do not take this or any tonic tea

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Astragalus (bei qi): Traditionally regarded as supporting vital energy and immunity.
• Mai dong (ophiopogon): Traditionally regarded as nourishing yin and moistening the lungs.
• Goji berries and red dates (gou qi zi, hong zao): Mild, balanced tonics traditionally associated with nourishing the blood and supporting the body.
• Apple (ping guo): Adds natural sweetness and fluids; use cored apples only.

Ingredients (3–4 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Astragalus root	~19 g	Soaked and rinsed
Mai dong	~19 g	Soaked and rinsed
Goji berries	~11 g	Soaked and rinsed
Red dates	6	Pitted
Apple	1–2	Washed with skin on, cored, cut into chunks

Method

1. Soak and rinse the herbs separately; pit the red dates.
2. Wash the apples (skin on), remove the cores, and cut into chunks.
3. Boil all ingredients in 7 bowls of water for half an hour, reducing to 3–4 bowls. Serve.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is clear, sweet and tasty, suitable for young and old. Apples are inexpensive right now; if they are small, use 3 — but the apple cores are mildly toxic and must be removed.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Ling): Can pregnant women drink this tea? Bro Niu: Yes, pregnant women can drink this tea.
• Q (anonymous reader): Can a 3-year-old with an asthma-prone constitution and a cold-cough drink this? Bro Niu: A child with an asthma-prone constitution can drink it, but if they have a cold, chill or fever, they should not take any tonic soup, so as not to let the illness take hold.
• Q (Ping Ping): Can this tea be reboiled and drunk the next day? Bro Niu: Yes, this tea can be drunk the next day.

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Published March 23, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.