Astragalus, Goji Berry & Jiaogulan Tea

Why people make this tea

When it comes to building everyday immune resilience through food, few combinations are more widely used in Chinese herbal food therapy than astragalus and goji berries. Research has found that both herbs can activate immune cells that might otherwise be underperforming, helping the body mount a better response to external threats. To these two classics, Nourilo adds jiaogulan — a vine herb sometimes called the “Southern ginseng” — which contains saponin compounds linked to immune modulation and antioxidant activity. The result is a remarkably easy three-ingredient tea that can be brewed in under half an hour.

Method

1. Rinse all three ingredients.
2. Place in a pot with 1.2 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, reducing to 600 ml.
4. Strain and drink warm. The goji berries can also be eaten.

Nourilo’s Tips

Jiaogulan is also known as “jin sang zi” (golden throat herb) and is traditionally considered helpful for chronic bronchitis and throat inflammation. Although its nature is cooling, it has a strengthening and adaptogenic quality — making it appropriate even for those who feel generally depleted or fatigued. For general health maintenance, Nourilo suggests drinking this tea about twice a week. If your constitution runs cold, add a piece of dried tangerine peel (chen pi) and a couple of red dates to the brew.