Herbal & Flower Teas
American Ginseng, Tienchi Ginseng and Goji Berry Tea
Traditionally associated with supporting heart function and cardiovascular wellness
Why people make this tea
Tienchi ginseng (tian qi, also written as san qi) is one of the most celebrated herbs in Chinese medical history. Long used to stop bleeding and move blood in trauma medicine, it is now also well-studied for its cardiovascular effects — research has noted its potential to reduce blood lipids, lower blood pressure, increase coronary blood flow, and support the heart’s own blood supply. Combined with American ginseng (which is considered a cooler, heart-qi-supporting tonic), goji berries (for liver, kidney, and immune support), and a few slices of ginger (to keep things moving and warm), this simple quick-brewed tea is Bro Niu’s recommendation as a maintenance drink for people in their middle years and beyond who are looking to support their cardiovascular wellness.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for middle-aged and older adults as a preventive wellness tea for heart and cardiovascular support
- Suitable for those with elevated blood lipids, mild hypertension, or a family history of coronary disease who wish to support their health alongside proper medical care
- Strictly contraindicated for anyone taking blood-thinning medication (warfarin, aspirin therapy prescribed by a cardiologist, or similar) — tienchi ginseng has blood-moving properties and may interact with anticoagulants; please consult your doctor
- Not suitable for pregnant women — tienchi ginseng is contraindicated in pregnancy
- Children can drink small amounts (according to one reader’s question, Bro Niu confirmed children can drink it)
- In hot summer months, Bro Niu advises that American ginseng may be replaced with Asian ginseng only in cooler weather, as Asian ginseng tends to cause heat or flushing
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Raw tienchi ginseng (sheng tian qi): In its raw form, tienchi is primarily used for stopping bleeding, moving blood, reducing swelling, and relieving pain; it is also the form associated with cardiovascular support through its effect on blood lipids and coronary circulation; cooked tienchi (shu tian qi) has a different emphasis — it is more nourishing and used for blood deficiency and growth
- American ginseng (xi yang shen): A cooling ginseng that supports heart qi and nourishes heart yin; associated with easing palpitations and shortness of breath in people with qi-yin dual deficiency
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Associated with nourishing liver and kidney, improving vision, and supporting immune function; a gentle tonic ingredient suitable for daily use
- Fresh ginger (sheng jiang): Warms, promotes circulation, and prevents the cooler ingredients from being too stagnating
Ingredients (2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw tienchi ginseng slices (sheng tian qi pian) | 8 g (2 qian) | Ask the herbal medicine shop to slice it — tienchi is very hard to cut at home |
| American ginseng slices (xi yang shen) | 8 g (2 qian) | — |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 8 g (2 qian) | Rinse |
| Fresh ginger | 3 slices | — |
| Water | 2 bowls (~400 ml) | — |
Method
- Place all ingredients in a small pot with about 2 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Pour and drink while warm.
- The ingredients can be added to a vacuum flask with boiling water for subsequent steeping throughout the day.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea can be used in a vacuum flask, adding boiling water multiple times for a gentler brew throughout the day — making it practical for middle-aged and older adults as a daily maintenance drink. Tienchi ginseng is quite hard and is best purchased pre-sliced from the herbal medicine shop. If you have already ground tienchi into powder, you can prepare the rest of the tea and then stir in the powder at the end. When cooking for a family of five, Bro Niu suggests using about 15 grams of each ingredient (not multiplying per person). Important: Anyone taking warfarin (blood-thinning medication) must not use this tea.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Wendy, 2019): I have blended tienchi, salvia root, and American ginseng into a mixed powder. I have high blood pressure. How should I take it, and does it need refrigeration? Bro Niu: Ground herb powders are best used within 3 months for optimal potency. Store in a cool, shaded place — no need to refrigerate. Take one teaspoon of the mix twice a day, dissolved in warm water.
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Q (fire-horse reader, 2019): Can I add dendrobium and ophiopogon root to this tea? And can I use tienchi powder instead of slices, adding it to the finished tea? Bro Niu: Yes, dendrobium and ophiopogon root can be added together. If you already have tienchi powder, brew the other ingredients first, then stir in the powder at the end before drinking.
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Q (Katherine, 2021): Can I replace raw tienchi with cooked tienchi? And can American ginseng be replaced with red ginseng? Bro Niu: Cooked tienchi is fine to use. Replacing American ginseng with red (Korean) ginseng is better suited to cooler weather — red ginseng tends to cause heat, so use it when the weather turns cold rather than in warm seasons.
Published October 30, 2012 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
