Herbal & Flower Teas
Black Mulberry and Roselle Tea
Traditionally brightens the eyes and supports the liver
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu had picked up some roselle and dried black mulberries to make tea-bag gifts for a food-therapy talk at a seniors’ centre. Roselle and mulberry brewed together are traditionally enjoyed by anyone who spends long hours on a computer or phone and ends up with dry eyes and blurry vision. Both are rich in anthocyanins — antioxidant compounds traditionally associated with easing inflammation, supporting the heart and blood vessels, and helping guard against a fatty liver.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with tired, dry eyes or blurry vision from long screen time
- Traditionally valued for those mindful of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and a fatty liver
- Also considered helpful for dizziness and ringing in the ears
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Black mulberry (sang shen zi): rich in anthocyanins, traditionally associated with nourishing yin and blood and supporting the eyes
- Roselle (luo shen hua): sweet-tart and rich in anthocyanins, traditionally linked with supporting healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dried black mulberries | 1 tbsp | — |
| Roselle flowers | 4–5 | — |
| Honey | a little | Stirred in at the end |
Method
- Place the mulberries and roselle in a pot and rinse once with boiling water.
- Refill with boiling water, cover and steep for 7–8 minutes.
- Stir in honey and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
The tea is sweet with a gentle tartness, and is traditionally associated with nourishing yin and blood and supporting healthy blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. It is also considered helpful for those troubled by dizziness or ringing in the ears.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Grandma Pun): My 3-year-old granddaughter has sweated a lot from her head when sleeping since birth. What foods can help her? Bro Niu: You can simmer floating wheat (fu xiao mai, ~19 g), black bean (~38 g) and licorice (~8 g) in 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls, taken for three doses, to help with night sweats.
- Q (reader): My 4-year-old coughs morning and night, a few coughs with phlegm, and sweets bring on more phlegm. What soup can I make? Bro Niu: You can simmer tiger-milk mushroom (hu ru ling zhi, ~11 g), snow fungus (~8 g), north-and-south almond (~38 g), 6 red dates and 1 piece of tangerine peel with lean pork to support the lungs and ease a cough. Simmer about 1.5 hours; the whole family can drink it.
Published July 17, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
