Dried Burdock and Goji Berry Tea

Why people make this tea

Urban diets heavy in rich, fatty, and processed foods have made elevated blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol — collectively known in Chinese medicine as “the three highs” — increasingly common across all age groups. Rather than waiting for a problem to develop, traditional food therapy emphasizes everyday habits that gently nudge the body toward balance. This two-ingredient tea is one of Nourilo’s simplest go-to recommendations: it takes five minutes to prepare, has a pleasant earthy-sweet flavour, and is gentle enough for daily drinking.

Burdock root has long been regarded in East Asian herbal tradition as a cooling, detoxifying food with a particular affinity for the cardiovascular system. Paired with goji berries — a gentle tonic associated with nourishing the liver, kidneys, and eyes — the combination creates a tea that is both easy to make and easy to keep up with long-term.

Method

1. Place the dried burdock slices and goji berries in a teapot or heatproof mug.
2. Rinse once with a small splash of boiling water, then discard the rinse water.
3. Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot, cover, and steep for 5 minutes.
4. Pour and drink. Continue to re-steep with fresh hot water until the tea loses its flavour.

Nourilo’s Tips

When choosing goji berries, look for ones that are deep red, round, plump, and dry with no signs of moisture or insect damage. Goji berries from the Ningxia region of China are particularly prized — they tend to have thinner skin, more flesh, a sweeter taste, and fewer seeds. A good Chinese herb shop will usually stock these. This tea can be enjoyed daily and works well as a replacement for coffee or sugary beverages.