Goji Berry, Chrysanthemum and Rush Pith Tea (Qi Zi Ju Hua Deng Xin Cao Cha)

Why people make this tea

Stressful periods — financial pressure, disrupted routines, children stuck at home, work uncertainty — can quietly build up inside the body in ways that eventually show on the surface: tightness in the sides of the chest, dull headaches, dry or gritty eyes, low mood, broken sleep, a bitter taste in the mouth, or a short fuse that surprises even yourself. Traditional Chinese food therapy describes this pattern as “liver qi stagnation” — when the body’s natural flow of energy becomes constrained by chronic tension, it can transform into what the tradition calls “liver fire,” showing up as heightened irritability, restlessness, and emotional volatility.

This simple four-ingredient tea — goji berries, chrysanthemum flowers, rush pith, and licorice — is a time-honored remedy for exactly this. Light and gently fragrant, it is pleasant enough to drink regularly, and safe for the whole household including children.