Herbal & Flower Teas
American Ginseng, Green Apple, Goji Berry and Longan Tea
traditionally associated with boosting energy, nourishing blood, easing mild low mood, and supporting restful sleep
Why people make this tea
Green apples are easy to underestimate. Compared to their sweeter counterparts, they feel purposeful — tart, crisp, with a clean fragrance that brightens a room when you slice into one. Bro Niu came to appreciate them after experimenting with a lemongrass and green apple tea for joint support, and now uses them regularly in wellness drinks. Their high pectin content is associated with helping the body eliminate heavy metals and environmental toxins, and in Chinese food-therapy tradition, green fruit corresponds to the liver — so green apple is linked with liver nourishment and a gentle anti-depressant quality.
Paired with American ginseng, goji berries, and longan, this tea covers the key bases for emotional and energy support: ginseng for replenishing qi, goji for the blood and eyes, longan for calming the heart-mind. The result is a warm drink that tastes pleasantly of tart apple with a sweet herbal finish — something you’d genuinely want to make and sit with.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for both adults and children. Double the quantities for a family pot.
- Particularly well suited to those who feel mentally drained, mildly low in mood, lethargic, or prone to poor sleep.
- The green apple skin is nutritious — leave it on. Just soak the whole apple briefly in hot water first to remove any surface wax and pesticide residue, then rinse.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Green apple: High in fibre, pectin, and antioxidants. In Chinese food-therapy thinking, green colour corresponds to the liver, so green apple is associated with liver nourishment, detoxification, and easing mild emotional stagnation. Modern research associates its pectin with supporting gut health and helping clear heavy metals.
- American ginseng (xi yang shen): Cooler-natured than Asian ginseng, associated with replenishing qi, generating fluids, and calming an overactive mind. Well suited to people who are depleted but also warm or anxious.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Rich in antioxidants and zeaxanthin. Traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys, supporting eye health, and enriching blood.
- Longan flesh (yuan rou): Associated with calming the heart-mind, nourishing blood, and supporting restful sleep. Its natural sweetness balances the tartness of the apple.
- Rock sugar (bing tang): Gentle sweetener, easier on the stomach than refined sugar.
Ingredients (2 cups — 1 serving; double for a family pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Green apple | 1 medium | Washed; briefly soak in hot water, then rinse to remove wax |
| American ginseng slices (xi yang shen) | 2 teaspoons | |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 1 tablespoon | Rinsed |
| Dried longan flesh (yuan rou) | 10 pieces | |
| Rock sugar (bing tang) | A small amount | Adjust to taste |
| Water | 4 bowls |
Method
- Briefly soak the whole green apple in hot water, then rinse thoroughly to remove surface wax and pesticide residue.
- Rinse the goji berries in cold water.
- Slice the green apple and remove the core. Leave the skin on.
- Place the apple slices, goji berries, and longan flesh in a pot with 4 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes until reduced to about 2 bowls.
- Add the rock sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Remove from heat. Add the American ginseng slices and allow to steep in the hot liquid for 2–3 minutes (ginseng is delicate and benefits from a lower temperature).
- Serve warm and drink directly.
Bro Niu’s tips
Apple skin is genuinely nutritious — rich in fibre and antioxidants — so it is worth keeping it on. The key step is the hot-water soak to remove surface wax and pesticide residue before cooking. For a family portion, simply double all the ingredients. The tart-sweet flavour is pleasant for adults and children alike.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (rainrain): My mother has been having terrible insomnia — she feels sleepy but cannot close her eyes, feels anxious and panicked, has no appetite, and the sleep medication makes it worse. A nurse suggested possible depression. What soup would help? Bro Niu: Your mother may be dealing with anxiety and depression — please also ensure she has emotional support and someone to talk to. Food therapy that may help: simmer wheat grain (xiao mai) 1 liang, prepared licorice root (zhi gan cao) 2 qian, poria with pine root (fu shen) 1 liang, and sour date seeds (suan zao ren) 3 qian with lean pork in 8 bowls of water down to 4 bowls. Take over 2 days; repeat for 3 doses. This is the classical “Wheat, Licorice and Jujube” variant. Please consult a doctor if symptoms persist.
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Q (Ming): I have poor qi, blood, and digestion. After my period I feel exhausted and dizzy. I get a lot of stomach qi rising to my throat. My doctor says it’s liver stagnation. I’m relaxed on holiday but it all comes back when I return — is stress causing it? Bro Niu: Very likely — stress keeps the liver from flowing freely, which is exactly what causes that feeling of qi rising and stagnation. Try steeping fo shou (finger citron) 3 qian, rose petals (mei gui hua) a small handful, and longan flesh 10 pieces in hot water as a daily tea, 3–4 doses per week. It is associated with easing liver stagnation and calming the digestive system.
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Q (Neko): My husband frequently works late nights — what soup would you recommend for him? Bro Niu: Regular late nights tend to deplete yin and create internal heat. Good options include: simmering glehnia root (sha shen), jade bamboo (yu zhu), snow fungus (xue er), goji berries, and carrot with lean pork; or using the ready-made clear tonic blend (qing bu liang) with dried tangerine peel, dried figs, and black-boned chicken (wu ji).
Published October 27, 2019 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 5 min read.
