Herbal & Flower Teas
Black Goji and Black Mulberry Tea
Traditionally used to brighten the eyes and support the mind
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu brewed this one almost by accident. He had leftover dried black mulberries and a fresh tin of black goji, so he tossed them together and got a gorgeous deep-purple cup that tasted wonderful. Dark purple-black fruits like mulberries and blueberries are rich in natural anthocyanins, which are associated with antioxidant activity and with supporting healthy aging of the brain and memory. Both dried fruits also carry vitamins, organic acids, and trace minerals.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits people with blood-deficiency type dizziness or blurry vision, sore lower back with ringing ears, early greying hair, restless sleep, or dry-type constipation
- Goes easy on most constitutions; if you tend to loose stools, start with a small cup
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Black goji (hei gou qi zi): traditionally nourishes the liver and kidney and is associated with brightening the eyes
- Black mulberry (hei sang shen): traditionally nourishes the blood and yin, moistens dryness, and supports the bowels
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black goji berries | ~1 tbsp | Lycium ruthenicum |
| Dried black mulberries | ~1 tbsp |
Method
- Put the black goji and black mulberries in a teapot.
- Rinse once with boiling water and pour it off.
- Refill with boiling water and steep, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Drink, refilling with hot water until the tea runs pale.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea nourishes yin and blood. It is traditionally helpful for blood-deficiency dizziness and blurry eyes, sore back and ringing ears, premature greying, restless dreaming sleep, and dry constipation.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Msllys): My 5-year-old has post-nasal drip every night and coughs from a tickly throat. Any soothing soup? Bro Niu: Try 2 qian perilla leaf (zi su ye) with 6 to 8 magnolia flower buds (xin yi hua) simmered in 3 bowls of water for 10 minutes; it helps ease nighttime throat-tickle and post-nasal drip. Take for 3 to 4 days. Use about 5 fresh perilla leaves if fresh, or 2 qian dried.
- Q (anonymous): My 8-year-old got a flu shot today. Any soup to give? Bro Niu: Flu shots rarely cause trouble, but you can simmer 5 qian reed root (lu gen), 1 tael raw barley (sheng yi mi), and 1 cored pear with a little rock sugar in 5 bowls of water down to 2; it helps clear internal heat.
- Q (Ckl): Can I add cordyceps to a stew of huai shan, red ginseng, goji, and longan? Bro Niu: Yes, but that combination is fairly warming and tonifying, so keep the amounts modest.
Published October 17, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
