Herbal & Flower Teas
American Ginseng and Blueberry Tea
traditionally associated with supporting eye comfort, mental clarity, and energy for people who work long hours at screens
Why people make this tea
Anyone who stares at a screen for most of the working day knows the feeling — eyes that feel gritty and dry by mid-afternoon, a mind that has lost its sharpness, and a low-grade fatigue that coffee only masks. This two-ingredient tea is Bro Niu’s answer for exactly that kind of depletion. American ginseng (hua qi shen) is prized in both Chinese herbal tradition and modern wellness for its ability to support energy without overstimulating — it nourishes rather than pushes. Blueberries are well known in the West for their anthocyanin content, which is associated with protecting the small blood vessels of the retina and supporting visual sharpness. Together they make a pleasant, lightly sweet tea that is easy to prepare at a desk.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Well suited to knowledge workers, students, and anyone with tired, dry eyes from screen use
- Suitable for long-term daily use in healthy adults
- American ginseng has a cooling, yin-nourishing nature — it is generally considered suitable for people who feel they run hot or are depleted; it is less suitable for those with very cold or weak constitutions
- Nursing mothers: can be consumed; pairing with a few mulberries or dried figs adds further benefit
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- American ginseng (hua qi shen): Unlike Asian red ginseng, American ginseng is cool in nature and tonifies qi while nourishing yin and clearing heat. Traditionally associated with supporting the brain, calming the spirit, and reducing heat-related fatigue. Always buy genuine USA- or Canada-origin root; purchase whole roots if possible and have the shop slice them, as pre-sliced ginseng is harder to verify.
- Dried blueberries: Rich in anthocyanins (purple-red pigments), which are associated in both traditional and modern contexts with protecting the retinal blood vessels, supporting night vision, and slowing oxidative stress on eye tissues.
Ingredients (1–2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| American ginseng slices | 2 teaspoons (~3–5 g) | Buy original root; have shop slice thinly |
| Dried blueberries | 2 teaspoons (~5–8 g) | Available in supermarkets |
Method
- Place both ingredients in a tea infuser or small teapot.
- Pour over boiling water.
- Steep for about 7 minutes.
- Sip slowly. You may top up with more hot water and steep again until the flavour and colour fade.
Bro Niu’s tips
When buying American ginseng, make sure it is genuinely from the USA or Canada (Panax quinquefolius). The best approach is to buy whole roots from a reputable herbal shop and ask them to slice it for you. Supermarkets routinely stock dried blueberries, which work well here. This tea is a practical wellness companion for anyone who spends hours in front of screens every day.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (siunam): My friend is a doctor who is also a new mother breastfeeding, staying up late and getting sick frequently. She has no time to cook soup. Can she drink this tea daily? Should she stop during a cold? She tends to run hot. She cannot get nan dates here in the US. Bro Niu: Your friend can drink American ginseng tea regularly — it is not heating. For a nursing mother, adding a few mulberries or sliced dried figs is beneficial: figs support milk production, and mulberries are antioxidant-rich, moistening, and help with bowel regularity. She can brew all three together. These ingredients should be available in the US. She can drink it daily; no need to stop for a mild cold.
Published November 26, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.
