Bei Qi (Astragalus) Mulberry Chrysanthemum Tea

Why people make this tea

Growing up in Hong Kong, Bro Niu has watched a steady rise in the number of children presenting with eye sensitivity, nasal allergies, and skin reactions — and attributes this in part to increased environmental pollution and changing immune landscapes. The famous classical formula Yu Ping Feng San (“Jade Screen Powder”) was developed precisely for this kind of defensive weakness: astragalus builds the body’s outer defences, saposhnikovia root keeps wind pathogens from penetrating, and white atractylodes strengthens the spleen-lung axis that underpins immune resilience. For eye-specific sensitivity, adding mulberry leaf and chrysanthemum — both traditionally associated with clearing liver heat and dispelling wind from the eyes — transforms the classic tonic into a targeted eye-allergy support tea.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Children and adults with recurring eye redness, itching, tearing, or sensitivity to wind, light, or pollen
• People with nasal allergies who also have eye involvement (add dried magnolia flower, xin yi hua, 6 pieces, if nasal symptoms are prominent)
• Suitable year-round; gentle enough for preventive use even without active symptoms
• People with G6PD enzyme deficiency (broad bean allergy): this formula is safe to use
• Suitable during menstruation

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Astragalus root (bei qi / huang qi): The cornerstone of Yu Ping Feng San; traditionally considered to tonify defensive qi (wei qi), strengthening the body’s outer layer against wind and pathogenic invasion.
• Saposhnikovia root (fang feng): “Wind-dispersing” herb; classically paired with astragalus — the astragalus keeps the defence strong while the saposhnikovia actively dispels any wind that does penetrate.
• White atractylodes (bai zhu): Strengthens the spleen and dries dampness, supporting the production of qi at the foundation level.
• Mulberry leaf (sang ye): Cool and slightly bitter; traditionally clears heat from the liver channel and dispels wind — particularly associated with soothing irritated, tearful, or light-sensitive eyes.
• Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Cool and sweet-bitter; one of the most widely used herbs for eye health in the Cantonese tradition. Contains volatile oils — add it in the last 10 minutes of cooking to preserve its aroma and activity.

Ingredients (2 bowls / 1 day’s serving)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Astragalus root (bei qi / huang qi)	3 qian (~9 g)
Saposhnikovia root (fang feng)	3 qian (~9 g)
White atractylodes (bai zhu)	3 qian (~9 g)
Mulberry leaf (sang ye)	2 qian (~6 g)
Chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua)	2 qian (~6 g)	Add in the final 10 minutes — do not cook with the first three herbs

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients briefly under cold water.
2. Place the astragalus root, saposhnikovia root, and white atractylodes into a pot with 5 bowls (approximately 1.25 litres) of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for 45 minutes.
4. Add the mulberry leaf and chrysanthemum flowers. Continue simmering for a further 10 minutes. (Do not add the flowers too early — the volatile oils that give chrysanthemum its therapeutic properties will dissipate with prolonged boiling.)
5. Strain and divide into two portions. Drink one portion in the morning and one in the afternoon or evening.
6. During active symptoms: drink daily for 3–5 consecutive days. For prevention: 2 doses per week until symptoms resolve.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is mild and well-tolerated. It can be used year-round as a preventive measure — two doses a week during seasons when eye or nasal symptoms typically flare up. Remember that chrysanthemum contains volatile oils, so it should always be added in the final 10 minutes of cooking, not at the start. Mulberry leaf, by contrast, does not contain significant volatile oils and can go in at the same time as the flowers without concern. If you find the tea hard to drink, a small amount of honey improves the flavour.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Mandy): My eyes have been very itchy these past few days — is there anything I can drink to help? Bro Niu: You can use saposhnikovia root, white atractylodes, mulberry leaf, and chrysanthemum, each 3 qian, in 4 bowls of water simmered to 2 bowls. Drink for 3 consecutive days.

• Q (Candy): My 13-year-old daughter has nasal sensitivity and now also has red veins in her eyes and discharge, sometimes with yellow tinge. The doctor says it is eye allergy and conjunctivitis but the eye drops are not working well. Is this Bei Qi Sang Ju tea suitable for her? Can she drink it during menstruation? Bro Niu: Try using mulberry leaf, chrysanthemum, and honeysuckle flowers (jin yin hua), each 3 qian, in 3 bowls of water simmered for 15 minutes, and use the warm, strained herb residue wrapped in a small cloth to compress the eyes. This helps with inflammation. Drink for 3 consecutive days. It is suitable during menstruation.

• Q (Wang Tai): Should mulberry leaf also be added in the last step like chrysanthemum? Bro Niu: Chrysanthemum contains volatile oils and so should be added late to preserve its effect. Mulberry leaf does not have this concern and can go in with the other herbs.

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Published April 15, 2015 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.