Herbal & Flower Teas
Prepared Fo-Ti and Goji Berry Tea
Traditionally used to nourish yin, support the kidney, and help dark hair
Why people make this tea
Graying hair can run in families or follow an illness, but Bro Niu notes that a great deal of it comes from over-strained nerves — too much worry, mental overwork, fright, or stress. He has shared the fo-ti-and-black-sesame powder before; this time it is an easy steeped tea of prepared fo-ti slices with goji berries, traditionally taken to help maintain dark hair.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- People with premature graying linked to stress or a kidney-yin-deficient picture who want a gentle daily tea
- Always use prepared (processed) fo-ti, not the raw root
- Be patient — these effects build slowly over a sustained period, not overnight
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Prepared fo-ti (zhi shou wu): traditionally associated with nourishing the liver and kidney and supporting dark hair.
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): traditionally used to nourish yin, support the kidney, and benefit the eyes.
Ingredients (1 pot)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prepared fo-ti (zhi shou wu) | 5 qian (~19 g) | Use prepared, not raw; can swap goji for black goji and add rose buds |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 5 qian (~19 g) |
Method
- Put both ingredients into a teapot.
- Rinse once with boiling water and pour it off.
- Pour in fresh boiling water and steep for about 7 minutes.
- Drink; you can keep re-steeping until it runs pale.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is traditionally associated with nourishing yin and supporting the kidney, and it suits people with hardening of the blood vessels and those managing blood sugar. Buy your fo-ti fresh and finish dried herbs within a year for best quality.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (黄小姐): Can I switch to black goji and add rose buds? Bro Niu: Yes, you can use black goji and add rose buds.
- Q (Amethyst): For graying plus hair loss at the hairline, what can fo-ti be combined with? Bro Niu: Fo-ti can be combined with walnut kernels, black sesame, and black mulberry (sang shen) — traditionally associated with supporting dark hair and reducing hair loss, but take it patiently for a sustained period. As a soup: prepared fo-ti 5 qian, walnut kernels 1 liang, black sesame 5 qian, black mulberry 5 qian, boiled in 6 bowls of water for 45 minutes down to 2 bowls; eat a little of the ingredients too. About 2 to 3 times a week.
- Q (Wing): Can someone with uterine fibroids take fo-ti and goji tea long-term? Bro Niu: With uterine fibroids you can drink this tea, but be mindful: eat less poultry or fast-grown fish raised with hormones and fewer oversized fruits and vegetables, and go easy on raw, cold, and chilled foods day to day.
Published October 13, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
