Roxburgh Rose and Mulberry Tea

Why people make this tea

Roxburgh rose (ci li) is a Guizhou speciality with famously high vitamin C, plus vitamins K and P. It is traditionally used to strengthen the stomach, aid digestion and consolidate. On its own the taste is a little thin, so Bro Niu pairs it with black mulberries, which traditionally nourish the blood and the liver and kidney. Together they make a fragrant little tea for those with weak digestion, poor appetite, and liver-kidney deficiency.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Good for weak digestion, poor appetite, liver-and-kidney-deficient types: anaemia, hair loss, fading vision.
• Traditionally also valued by those mindful of the “three highs” (blood pressure, lipids, sugar).
• Gentle and pleasant — a light everyday tea.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Roxburgh rose (ci li): rich in vitamin C; traditionally strengthens the stomach, aids digestion and consolidates.
• Black mulberry (hei sang shen): traditionally nourishes the blood, the yin, and the liver and kidney; it also gives the tea a fuller flavour.

Ingredients (2 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried Roxburgh rose	2 tbsp	lightly rinsed
Dried black mulberries	2 tbsp	lightly rinsed

Method

1. Lightly rinse the dried Roxburgh rose and the mulberries.
2. Simmer in 4 bowls of water for 15 minutes down to 2 bowls, and serve.

Bro Niu’s tips

The plant in the photo is the Roxburgh rose itself. This tea is fragrant and pleasant, and traditionally associated with better circulation. It is also valued by those guarding against the “three highs” and by people with fading vision. Dried ci li is available at Chinese or Asian grocers, or online.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (A Fei): Can a pregnant woman drink ci li and black mulberry tea? I had bad hair loss after my last birth and want to head it off this time. Bro Niu: Yes, you can drink ci li and black mulberry tea. You can also get a “shou wu, walnut and black sesame” instant powder from the supermarket, three times a week, to help with hair and reduce shedding.
• Q (RoseChan): I have just finished radiotherapy for breast cancer. What soups or teas do you suggest? Is yun zhi or ling zhi good for me? Bro Niu: After radiotherapy the body is weak — keep everything warm, avoid cold foods like salads. Yun zhi and ling zhi products are beneficial for building strength. You can steep rose and bergamot tea; and in cool weather, gently tonify with bei qi, dang shen, black fungus, snow fungus, goji and red dates in a lean-pork soup, twice a week.
• Q (Liza): Where can I buy dried ci li? Bro Niu: Dried ci li is available at Chinese or Asian grocers, herb shops, and online. Look for loose dried fruit or instant granule packs.

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Published November 14, 2023 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.