Premature Grey Hair and Tired Eyes: Mulberry, Ligustrum, and Goji Berry Tea

Name: Mulberry, Ligustrum, and Goji Berry Tea
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2–3 cups
Cuisine: Asian, Wellness
Ingredients: Mulberry fruit, dried — 19 g; Ligustrum berries — 15 g; Goji berries — 15 g; Rock sugar — to taste; Water — 1.2 L

Mulberry, Ligustrum, and Goji Berry Tea

Traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys, support natural hair colour, and brighten the eyes

By Bro Niu · Registered Nutritionist & TCM Practitioner

Prep

5 min

Cook

40 min

Total

45 min

Makes

2–3 cups

Why people make this tea

Premature grey hair, gradual hair thinning, and eyes that tire easily are, in Chinese food therapy, commonly viewed through the lens of liver and kidney health. The liver and kidneys are said to govern the quality of blood that nourishes hair follicles, and to store the essence that keeps the eyes clear and bright. When these stores run low — whether from ageing, overwork, stress, or blood loss — the hair may lose its colour and the eyes may feel dry or strained. Nourilo came across two different varieties of dried mulberry at separate herb shops while testing this formula: one deeply black and the other reddish-brown. Both can be used for tea. The black variety is generally considered to have a more concentrated effect, but either works. This tea is mild, naturally sweet-tart, and easy to make as a daily or several-times-weekly drink.

Method

Rinse all three berries briefly in cool water.
Place in a pot with 1.2 L of water.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
Cook for approximately 40 minutes.
Add rock sugar, stir to dissolve, and serve warm.
The cooked berries can be eaten along with the tea.

Alternative — medicinal wine (optional): The same three berries can be used to make a medicinal wine. Soak them first in a small amount of rice wine (bai jiu) and steam gently for 15 minutes to open up the herbs. Allow to cool, then place in a glass jar and cover with rice wine (herb-to-wine ratio approximately 1:5). Leave to infuse for 10 days. Drink 1–2 tablespoons morning and evening.

Nourilo’s Tips

For daily use, this tea can also be prepared by steeping in a cup: ligustrum berries can be placed in a thermos or steeping cup with boiling water for 20–30 minutes. Add goji berries and mulberry the same way.
The black, fully ripe variety of dried mulberry is considered the most potent. If what you buy is the reddish-brown variety, it still works — the traditional therapeutic direction is the same.
This tea is one of three herbs that Nourilo also recommends infusing together in a medicinal wine — a traditional method for strengthening the liver-kidney tonifying action. See the method above.
Consistency matters with this type of tea: drinking it two to three times a week over several weeks or months gives better results than occasional use.

Frequently asked questions

What is this tea traditionally used for?

This tea is traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys — the organ systems most closely linked in TCM to hair colour, hair loss, and eye health. It is particularly associated with supporting the body when dealing with premature greying, hair thinning from blood deficiency, and age-related vision decline, as part of a balanced diet.

How much does this recipe make and how long does it take?

The recipe yields 2 to 3 cups. It takes approximately 5 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook, for a total time of about 45 minutes.

Can the cooked berries be eaten, or is only the liquid used?

The cooked berries can be eaten along with the tea.

Does it matter which colour of dried mulberry I use?

Both the deeply black variety and the reddish-brown variety can be used for this tea. The black, fully ripe variety is considered the most potent, but if only the reddish-brown variety is available, the traditional therapeutic direction is considered the same.

How often should this tea be drunk to support its traditional purpose?

The file notes that consistency matters: drinking it two to three times a week over several weeks or months is suggested to give better results than occasional use.