Goji Berry & Stevia Leaf Tea

Why people make this tea

Stevia (tian ju ye) is a remarkable plant. Its leaves contain steviol glycosides — compounds that are around 200 times sweeter than cane sugar, yet contribute virtually no calories and have no significant effect on blood glucose. For people with diabetes or those trying to avoid sugar, stevia offers a way to enjoy a genuinely sweet drink without any of the metabolic downsides of regular sweeteners. Bro Niu discovered stevia leaves at a Chinese herb shop in Sai Ying Pun among an array of flower and herb teas — and immediately recognised their value. Paired with goji berries, which are deeply nourishing to the liver and kidneys and associated in traditional food therapy with eye health, fatigue relief, and cholesterol support, this tea becomes something both practical and pleasant to drink every day.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Excellent for people with diabetes, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides who want a sweet daily tea without blood-sugar impact
• Good for anyone prone to fatigue, dry eyes, or blurry vision
• Suitable for most ages; described as an all-family tea
• Pregnant women should generally avoid herbal teas; consult a practitioner
• Those with a tendency toward bloating or excess stomach acid: add a small piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) to counteract any bloating

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Goji berries (gou qi zi): One of the most widely used Chinese food-therapy ingredients; nourishes the liver and kidneys; associated with supporting eye health, reducing fatigue, improving skin, and — importantly for this formula — helping to support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• Stevia leaves (tian ju ye): 200 times sweeter than sugar, virtually calorie-free, and water-soluble; in traditional Chinese usage, associated with blood-sugar regulation and reducing the burden of excess sweetness on the body

Ingredients (1 teapot / 2–3 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Goji berries	1 tablespoon (~8–10 g)	Rinse before steeping
Stevia leaves	6–8 leaves	Dried or fresh; available at Chinese herb shops
Hot water	To fill teapot	Use boiling or near-boiling water

Method

1. Place goji berries and stevia leaves in a teapot or large mug.
2. First rinse: pour in a small amount of boiling water, swirl briefly, and pour it off (this rinses any dust from the herbs).
3. Fill with fresh boiling water and steep for 7–8 minutes.
4. Pour and drink. The tea can be re-steeped 2–3 times until the flavour fades.

Bro Niu’s tips

Stevia leaves can be found at Chinese herb and spice shops in areas with concentrated herb stores — in Hong Kong, Sai Ying Pun (around nos. 149–174) has multiple shops worth visiting. For those worried about bloating or stomach acid with this tea, add a thin strip of dried tangerine peel — it helps the qi circulate and prevents a heavy, gassy feeling. This tea is naturally sweet and pleasant enough to enjoy daily; regular drinking is associated with skin-brightening and eye-nourishing benefits alongside the blood-sugar and cholesterol-supporting effects.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Susanna): Where can stevia leaves be purchased? I have a weak constitution with bloating and stomach acid — is this tea suitable for me? Bro Niu: Stevia leaves are available at herb shops in Sai Ying Pun (nos. 149–174), worth comparing prices between shops. For bloating and stomach acid, this tea is fine — just add a small piece of tangerine peel (chen pi) to help with digestive comfort.

• Q (Yi): My mother is 85, has had diabetes for over 30 years, and is on Western medication. She has severe nocturia (waking 4–5 times a night) — are there any food remedies that might help? Bro Niu: For frequent night urination, try a soup of 15 ginkgo nuts (de-shelled, hearts removed), 1 liang qian shi, 3 qian each of jin ying zi and fu pen zi, simmered with lean pork for 4–5 doses. Eat some of the ginkgo and qian shi with the soup.

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Published July 8, 2021 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.