Astragalus, Codonopsis, Longan and Goji Berry Tea

Why people make this tea

Summer heat makes us sweat — that is normal. But when you find yourself drenched in perspiration even without activity, that is what traditional Chinese medicine calls “spontaneous sweating from qi deficiency” (qi xu zi han). It is a sign that the body’s protective energy is not holding firm. Astragalus (bei qi or huang qi) is one of the most valued tonic herbs in this tradition precisely because of its association with strengthening defensive qi, firming up the body’s boundaries, and consolidating sweat. Paired with codonopsis (dang shen) — which supports the spleen and stomach and helps the body make the most of what it consumes — this combination has been used for generations as a restorative pick-me-up. Longan flesh adds sweetness and is associated with calming the mind and nourishing blood; goji berries round it out with their liver- and kidney-supporting properties. The result is a pleasant, mildly sweet tea that steeps easily and can be refilled several times through the day.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Well-suited to people who sweat excessively without exertion, feel chronically fatigued, have low immunity, or are recovering from illness or surgery
• Also traditionally considered supportive for cancer patients experiencing blood deficiency, qi deficiency, or spontaneous sweating during chemotherapy
• Suitable for most adults, both men and women
• Pregnant women: do not use longan (yuan rou) — substitute 3–4 sliced red dates (hong zao) instead
• High blood pressure: avoid this tea — astragalus in small amounts (as in tea-steeping) may raise blood pressure; larger medicinal doses have a different effect

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Astragalus (bei qi / huang qi): One of the most studied tonic herbs; traditionally associated with tonifying qi, consolidating the exterior (reducing spontaneous sweating), supporting immune function, dilating small blood vessels, and improving microcirculation
• Codonopsis (dang shen): Often used alongside astragalus; associated with supporting the spleen and lungs, building energy, and benefiting people with shortness of breath or thirst from qi deficiency
• Longan flesh (yuan rou): Warm and sweet; associated with nourishing blood and calming the spirit; traditionally avoided during pregnancy
• Goji berries (gou qi zi): Associated with nourishing the liver and kidneys, supporting eye health, and boosting vitality

Ingredients (1–2 cups, refillable)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Astragalus root slices (bei qi / huang qi)	1/2 tablespoon	Sliced form is easiest for steeping
Codonopsis root slices (dang shen)	1/2 tablespoon
Dried longan flesh (yuan rou)	8 pieces	Omit if pregnant; substitute 3–4 sliced red dates
Goji berries (gou qi zi)	1 teaspoon
Boiling water	Enough to fill a teapot or flask

Method

1. Place all ingredients in a teapot, small flask, or heat-safe cup.
2. Rinse once with boiling water and pour off — this brief rinse cleans the ingredients.
3. Fill with boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes.
4. Sip throughout the day; refill with hot water as needed, repeating until the tea runs pale.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is gentle, fragrant, and genuinely pleasant to drink — no need to force it down. It suits people of most constitutions and both genders. The ingredients can be refilled several times before their flavor fades.

Note for those with high blood pressure: astragalus has what herbalists call a “bidirectional” effect on blood pressure — large medicinal doses lower it, but the smaller amounts used in a daily steeping tea tend to raise it slightly. If you have hypertension, it is better to avoid this particular tea.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Yanice): Can I substitute huang qi for bei qi? Bro Niu: They are the same herb — bei qi is another name for huang qi (astragalus).

• Q (ANG): When the weather gets hot, I drench my clothes in sweat the moment I go outside. I also feel exhausted afterward. What can help? Bro Niu: You can try a decoction of 5 qian bei qi, 5 qian floating wheat grain (fu xiao mai), and 6 red dates, simmered in 5 bowls of water down to 2 bowls. Take for 5–6 consecutive days to help consolidate qi and reduce spontaneous sweating.

• Q (Wing): Can people with high blood pressure drink this tea? Bro Niu: Bei qi’s effect on blood pressure is dose-dependent — at larger doses it lowers blood pressure, at smaller amounts it raises it. Since tea steeping uses only a small amount, people with high blood pressure should avoid this tea.

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Published July 24, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.