Herbal & Flower Teas
Goji, Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Tea
Traditionally used to soothe the liver and brighten the eyes
Why people make this tea
As we get older, blurry vision or sensitivity to light is worth taking seriously — Bro Niu always says get an eye exam first. Alongside that, this gentle daily tea of goji, chrysanthemum and toasted cassia seed is a long-loved habit. It is traditionally enjoyed to soothe the liver and brighten the eyes, and it is especially welcome for people who stare at a computer all day and end the day with tired, strained eyes.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Middle-aged and older adults who want a daily eye-friendly tea, and anyone whose eyes feel tired from long screen time.
- Those with a weak spleen, loose stools, or a cold stomach should not over-drink this tea.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Traditionally considered nourishing and beneficial for the eyes.
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Long associated with clearing heat and brightening tired eyes.
- Toasted cassia seeds (jue ming zi): Traditionally used to ease eye strain and the redness and discomfort of overworked eyes.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Goji berries | 1 tablespoon | |
| Chrysanthemum flowers | 1 tablespoon | |
| Toasted cassia seeds | 1 tablespoon | dry-toast in a pan to release flavour |
Method
- Put all the ingredients in a teapot and rinse once with boiling water.
- Pour in fresh boiling water and steep, covered, for 5–7 minutes.
- Drink, re-steeping with more hot water until the flavour fades.
Bro Niu’s tips
Dry-toasting the cassia seeds in a pan for a moment makes them release their flavour more easily. This tea is also friendly for people managing high blood pressure, blood sugar or cholesterol — but those with a weak spleen, loose stools or a cold stomach should not over-drink it.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Boma): My little girl, 1 year 4 months, is slowly recovering from pneumonia caused by RSV, human metapneumovirus, rhinovirus and HIB. She still has a lot of phlegm and a cough and a poor appetite. A friend says the airways are weaker after RSV. Any soup or food-therapy suggestions? Bro Niu: First make a soup with 3 taels fresh houttuynia (yu xing cao), 1 tael north-and-south almonds (nan bei xing) and 3 figs simmered with lean pork — the whole family can drink it, to clear lung heat. After that, regularly use 2 taels hairy fig root (wu zhi mao tao), 1 tael Chinese yam (huai shan), 3 qian white fungus (xue er), 1 tael lily bulb (bai he) and 4 red dates simmered with lean pork; it helps strengthen the spleen and moisten and soothe the lungs. One apple simmered with one dried tangerine peel for 20 minutes is also good.
Published August 3, 2025 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
