Albizzia Flower Bud and Goji Berry Tea

Why people make this tea

Modern city life moves quickly, and many people find that stress accumulates without them quite noticing — until sleep becomes difficult, or the mind stays restless long after work has finished. Albizzia flower (he huan hua) has been used in Chinese herbal practice for centuries specifically as a calming herb: its Chinese name literally means “happy union flower,” and it is traditionally associated with lifting emotional heaviness, releasing tension, and promoting peaceful sleep.

The buds (hua lei) are preferred over the open flowers for this tea — they are visually beautiful, and in traditional practice the buds are considered to have a stronger calming and eye-brightening effect. Paired with goji berries, which gently nourish the liver and kidneys and are associated with eye health, this tea makes a soothing, slightly sweet daily ritual for anyone who wants to take care of their nervous system along with their eyes.

Method

1. Place the albizzia flower buds and goji berries into a teapot or infuser.
2. Pour a small amount of boiling water over them and immediately drain — this rinse cleans the ingredients.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot.
4. Cover and steep for 7–8 minutes.
5. Pour and enjoy. The tea can be re-infused once until the flavour fades.

Nourilo’s Tips

Herbalists stock two forms of albizzia flower: the open, cotton-like blooms and the smaller, still-closed buds. Nourilo prefers the buds for their beautiful appearance and their traditionally stronger calming and eye-nourishing properties. When shopping, specify “he huan hua lei” (the bud form) to make sure you get the right product and avoid mixing it up with the unrelated night-blooming lily.