Herbal & Flower Teas

American Ginseng, Goji Berry and Ophiopogon Tea

traditionally associated with nourishing yin, clearing heat, and supporting kidney and lung health

In short: American Ginseng, Goji Berry and Ophiopogon Tea is a herbal & flower tea that traditionally associated with nourishing yin, clearing heat, and supporting kidney and lung health. It is most often made for respiratory & lung wellness, children's wellness, kidney & urinary wellness. Total time about 45 min. Key ingredients: american ginseng, goji berries, rock sugar.

Prep
5 min
Cook
40 min
Total
45 min
Makes
2 cups
American Ginseng, Goji Berry and Ophiopogon Tea

Why people make this tea

If you regularly stay up past midnight — whether for work, study, or caregiving — you may notice familiar signs of what traditional Chinese food therapy calls “yin deficiency”: a persistently dry mouth, a throat that feels parched no matter how much water you drink, gums that feel slightly swollen or tender, or the occasional mouth ulcer. This gentle three-ingredient tea addresses exactly those symptoms. American ginseng is mild yet effective, goji berries add a natural sweetness and colour, and ophiopogon root provides the deep moistening action that makes this tea genuinely refreshing. It is light enough to drink regularly and simple enough to prepare on a busy evening.

What studies say about the key ingredients

Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.

  • American ginseng · Randomized controlled trial · 2013
    The change in the general fatigue score was not significantly different from placebo at 4 weeks (P = .07). At 8 weeks, the ginseng group improved more than placebo (20 vs 10.3, P = .003). Toxicities did not differ between arms.Limitation: The primary endpoint at 4 weeks was not statistically significant, and fatigue was self-reported. Benefit appeared greater in people still receiving cancer treatment.PubMed 23853057 · 1 more american ginseng study
  • Goji berries · Meta-analysis, 161 participants · 2012
    Compared with placebo (n=80), the goji juice group (n=81) reported greater improvements in several self-rated symptoms, including stress, mental acuity, sleep quality and overall well-being, under a random effects model.Limitation: Outcomes were self-reported symptom questionnaires, and several symptoms showed significant heterogeneity across the four pooled trials of a single branded juice.PubMed 22897500 · 3 more goji berries studies

From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.

Safety first — read before you cook

This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
  • take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
  • have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.

Ingredient notes for this recipe

  • American ginseng: Has been shown to weaken the effect of warfarin and may lower blood sugar. Talk to your doctor first if you take blood thinners or diabetes medicines. Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering — American Ginseng
  • Goji berries: A few cases of raised INR (a bleeding-risk marker) have been reported in people taking warfarin after drinking concentrated goji tea or wine. If you take a blood thinner, check with your doctor. Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering — Lycium

Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes

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