Goji Berry, Chrysanthemum and Rush Pith Tea (Qi Zi Ju Hua Deng Xin Cao Cha)

Why people make this tea

Stressful periods — financial pressure, disrupted routines, children stuck at home, work uncertainty — can quietly build up inside the body in ways that eventually show on the surface: tightness in the sides of the chest, dull headaches, dry or gritty eyes, low mood, broken sleep, a bitter taste in the mouth, or a short fuse that surprises even yourself. Traditional Chinese food therapy describes this pattern as “liver qi stagnation” — when the body’s natural flow of energy becomes constrained by chronic tension, it can transform into what the tradition calls “liver fire,” showing up as heightened irritability, restlessness, and emotional volatility.

This simple four-ingredient tea — goji berries, chrysanthemum flowers, rush pith, and licorice — is a time-honored remedy for exactly this. Light and gently fragrant, it is pleasant enough to drink regularly, and safe for the whole household including children.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Those feeling frequently irritable, emotionally wound-up, prone to anger, or having difficulty winding down at bedtime
• Also helpful for dry or strained eyes, mild headaches associated with stress, and restless dreamy sleep
• Suitable for children and adults alike; the tea has a pleasant, mild flavor
• Use raw (unprocessed) licorice (sheng gan cao), not roasted licorice (zhi gan cao), as confirmed by Bro Niu
• If irritability and emotional dysregulation continue or become severe, please seek help from a mental health or medical professional

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Goji berries (gou qi zi): Traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys, supporting vision, and clearing mild eye fatigue and dryness
• Chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua): One of the most widely used flowers in Chinese herbal teas; traditionally associated with clearing heat from the liver, soothing headaches, and relieving eye strain
• Rush pith (deng xin cao): A small, delicate herb used in traditional formulas to clear heart-heat and calm the mind; mild enough for children
• Licorice root (gan cao): Harmonizes and softens the formula; adds a gentle sweetness and moderates the cooling character of the other herbs

Ingredients (2 cups / 1 serving)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Goji berries	1 tablespoon	—
Dried chrysanthemum flowers	1 tablespoon	—
Rush pith (deng xin cao)	6–8 bundles	Available at Chinese herb shops
Licorice root (gan cao)	3–4 slices	Use raw licorice (sheng gan cao)
Water	3 bowls	—

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly.
2. Place everything in a small pot with 3 bowls of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes.
4. Strain and serve. Drink in portions over the day or evening.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea has a light, clean fragrance and is easy to drink. Both children and adults can take it for an extended period when needed. That said, the real remedy for liver qi stagnation is not just a cup of tea — mutual understanding and patience within the family makes a bigger difference than any herb. If irritability and emotional outbursts continue for an extended period and feel out of control, it is important to reach out to a professional for support.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Polly): Should we use roasted licorice (zhi gan cao) for this tea? Bro Niu: Use raw licorice (sheng gan cao) — that is fine.

• Q (Soup): Is it okay to add the ingredients to boiling water rather than cold water for this soup? Bro Niu: For ingredients with a bitter or astringent flavor, or for vegetables and fruits, boiling water is fine. But for meat and Chinese medicinal herbs, it is better to start from cold water — when herbs are added to boiling water, proteins coagulate instantly at the surface, which reduces how well the flavour and active compounds can be drawn out. For meat, starting from cold water also allows blood and impurities to surface slowly so you can skim them off.

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Published September 5, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.