Dried Mulberry and Longan Flesh Tea

Why people make this tea

Mulberry — that slightly translucent, deep-red fruit that appears briefly in early summer — is a humble-looking thing that belies its reputation as one of the finest blood-nourishing foods in Chinese medicine. The dried version is even more concentrated in beneficial compounds. When mulberry is paired with longan flesh (the dried, honey-brown flesh of the longan fruit), you get a combination that is warm, sweet, and deeply sustaining for a nervous system that has been run into the ground. Bro Niu introduced this recipe during a period when many people were dealing with job uncertainty and the emotional fallout of a prolonged pandemic — a time when insomnia, anxiety, and a general feeling of being depleted were all too common. The tea does not knock you out; rather, it gently supports the liver and kidneys, nourishes the blood, and over time helps the mind settle. Drink it at midday and again a couple of hours before bed.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suits people experiencing insomnia, nervous exhaustion, mild anaemia, tinnitus, blurred vision, premature grey hair, or early-stage hair loss associated with blood and liver-kidney deficiency.
• Suitable for those taking blood thinners (warfarin) — this tea does not interfere.
• Those with a tendency to stomach acid, eat this after a meal rather than on an empty stomach.
• Pregnant women: Longan is warming and not recommended during pregnancy. Substitute with 5 qian of lily bulb and 4 southern dates, simmered for 20 minutes — this supports restful sleep safely during pregnancy.
• When choosing dried mulberries, select the darkest ones — deep red to purple-black — as these contain the most anthocyanins and have the strongest nourishing effect. Unripe mulberries (lighter in colour) should be avoided as they can interfere with iron and calcium absorption.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Dried mulberry (sang shen): One of the most valued fruits in Chinese food therapy; associated with nourishing and supplementing the liver and kidneys, settling internal wind, and producing fluids. Traditionally used for anaemia, thirst, constipation, tinnitus, poor vision, joint stiffness, premature greying, and nervous exhaustion. The dried form is more concentrated and considered a genuine tonic herb.
• Longan flesh (yuan rou): Warming and sweet; classically paired with mulberry to balance its slightly cooling nature. Associated with nourishing the heart and spleen, calming the mind, and supporting sleep. A well-known ingredient in traditional sleep and stress formulas.

Ingredients (3 bowls)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Dried mulberries (sang shen)	2 tablespoons	Choose dark red to purple-black; available from Chinese herb shops
Dried longan flesh (yuan rou)	2 tablespoons	Available from Chinese herb shops and Asian grocery stores

Method

1. Rinse both ingredients briefly.
2. Place in a small pot with 4 to 5 bowls (about 1 litre) of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid reduces to approximately 3 bowls.
4. Drink the tea and eat the softened mulberries and longan flesh — both can be eaten and are worth eating.
5. Alternatively, you may steep rather than simmer: place ingredients in a teapot, steep for 15 minutes in boiling water. The fruit will swell considerably.

Bro Niu’s tips

Dried mulberries come in several colours — the darkest ones (deep red or purple-black, sometimes labelled “black mulberry” or hei sang zao) have the highest anthocyanin content and the strongest therapeutic effect. Lighter or partially ripe mulberries are less effective and may inhibit mineral absorption, so it is worth seeking out the dark variety. For a broader sleep-support formula, Bro Niu also likes a soup of Chinese yam, poria spiritus, lotus seed, lily bulb, and longan flesh with lean pork — cooked 2 to 3 times a week.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Hilda): I am 7 months pregnant and have difficulty falling asleep. Can I drink this tea? Bro Niu: During pregnancy it is better to favour cooling and moistening ingredients and avoid warm-natured ones — so longan is not suitable. Replace it with 5 qian of lily bulb and 4 southern dates, simmer for 20 minutes. This supports sleep safely during pregnancy. Take 3 to 4 servings.

• Q (Ms Mo): Mulberry is cooling — is it suitable for someone with a weak constitution and acid reflux? Bro Niu: Mulberry is only mildly cooling, and when paired with longan (which is warming) the combination becomes balanced — neither cold nor hot. For acid reflux, drink after meals rather than on an empty stomach.

• Q (Rosita): What time of day is best to drink this? Bro Niu: Midday and about 2 hours before sleep are good times. For broader sleep support, try a soup of Chinese yam, poria spiritus, lotus seeds, lily bulb, and longan flesh with lean pork — this is good for the whole family.

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Published April 10, 2020 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.