Herbal & Flower Teas
Astragalus, Goji Berry & Red Date Tea
supports immune function and eye comfort; traditionally associated with strengthening qi, nourishing the blood, and supporting vision
In short: Astragalus, Goji Berry & Red Date Tea is a herbal & flower tea that supports immune function and eye comfort; traditionally associated with strengthening qi, nourishing the blood, and supporting vision. It is most often made for energy & vitality, blood nourishment, eye wellness. Total time about 25 min. Key ingredients: goji berries, red dates.
Why people make this tea
Nourilo came across a report from a Taiwanese medical research team suggesting that astragalus (bei qi) may be helpful for supporting the health of the optic nerve in people managing glaucoma. While Nourilo is careful to note that online health claims should not be taken at face value, he points out that this particular three-ingredient combination is one he has recommended for years for general immune support and vitality — making it a worthwhile daily habit regardless. It is one of the simplest and most versatile teas in Cantonese food therapy, and it can be prepared in about 25 minutes.
Method
- Rinse the astragalus slices and snip into shorter sections if desired. Soak and rinse the goji berries. Pit the red dates.
- Place all ingredients in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat for about 20 minutes, until the liquid reduces to 900 ml.
- Drink in three portions throughout the day — morning, noon, and evening.
Nourilo’s Tips
This is a very versatile and accessible daily tea. It can be sipped throughout the day as a substitute for plain water. Nourilo notes that astragalus is one of the few herbs with a dose-dependent directional effect on blood pressure — use the full 38 g (approximately 6–7 slices) if you have high blood pressure; use 11 g or fewer if blood pressure is on the lower side.
What studies say about the key ingredients
Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof. Here is the strongest human research we found for each ingredient, limitations included.
- Astragalus root
TA-65 was associated with longer leukocyte telomeres compared with controls, but the meta-analysis found no significant improvement in frailty measures or inflammatory markers (CRP/IL-6). Mild gastrointestinal effects were reported.Limitation: Industry-funded trials reported larger effects than others, and the compound is a purified extract at doses not comparable to eating Astragalus root.PubMed 41286474 · 3 more astragalus root studies - Goji berries
Compared with placebo (n=80), the goji juice group (n=81) reported greater improvements in several self-rated symptoms, including stress, mental acuity, sleep quality and overall well-being, under a random effects model.Limitation: Outcomes were self-reported symptom questionnaires, and several symptoms showed significant heterogeneity across the four pooled trials of a single branded juice.PubMed 22897500 · 3 more goji berries studies - Red dates
Jujube was associated with significantly lower BMI and triglycerides, and lower fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. LDL and total cholesterol fell only in some subgroups. HDL, AST and ALT did not change significantly.Limitation: The authors state the overall quality of the evidence is limited, and results varied significantly by dose, treatment duration and disease type.PubMed 40399274 · 3 more red dates studies
From the Nourilo Research Library. Findings come from specific doses, extracts and populations and may not apply to a home-cooked recipe.
Safety first — read before you cook
This is a traditional food, not a treatment. Please check with your doctor or pharmacist before making it a regular part of your diet if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a young child;
- take regular medicines — especially blood thinners, blood-pressure, diabetes or immune-suppressing drugs;
- have a kidney, liver or heart condition, or a known food allergy.
Ingredient notes for this recipe
- Goji berries: A few cases of raised INR (a bleeding-risk marker) have been reported in people taking warfarin after drinking concentrated goji tea or wine. If you take a blood thinner, check with your doctor. Source: Memorial Sloan Kettering — Lycium
- Astragalus: May interact with medicines that suppress the immune system. A thorough safety evaluation has not been done, and little is known about its safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Source: NIH NCCIH — Astragalus
Stop eating it and seek advice if you notice an allergic reaction or feel unwell. Safety notes reviewed 8 October 2026 · How we write safety notes
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