Herbal & Flower Teas
Lemon, Roselle and Black Mulberry Tea
Traditionally enjoyed to support the skin, refresh and feel light
Why people make this tea
Bro Niu loves to brew a flower tea in a quiet moment — partly for wellbeing, partly as a small everyday pleasure. Fresh lemon is bright and fragrant; with roselle and dried black mulberry it makes a ruby-coloured tea traditionally enjoyed to support glowing skin, refresh the spirit, brighten the eyes and help you feel light. Black mulberries are inexpensive yet lovely, and are traditionally valued to nourish liver and kidney, support the eyes and keep hair dark.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Anyone wanting a pleasant daily tea to support the skin, the eyes and a light, refreshed feeling.
- Pregnant women should skip the roselle; use goji berries (gou qi zi) instead.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Lemon (ning meng): Traditionally valued as a refreshing, antioxidant-rich fruit that supports the skin.
- Roselle (luo shen hua): Associated with supporting the complexion, quenching thirst and a light feeling.
- Black mulberry (hei sang shen): Traditionally used to nourish liver and kidney, support the eyes and keep hair dark.
- Honey (mi tang): Rounds out the flavour (add once the tea has cooled a little).
Ingredients (1 pot / 2 cups)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh lemon | 2–3 slices | |
| Roselle / hibiscus | 4–5 flowers | Swap for goji if pregnant |
| Dried black mulberries | 1 tbsp | |
| Honey | to taste | Add off the heat |
Method
- Put the lemon slices, roselle and mulberries in a pot and rinse once with boiling water.
- Pour in fresh boiling water, cover and steep 7–8 minutes.
- Stir in honey to taste and serve.
Bro Niu’s tips
Fragrant and tasty, suitable for young and old, and also a kind choice for supporting the eyes. Pregnant women should not use roselle — use goji berries in its place.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Wen Wen): Can people with G6PD deficiency drink dandelion (pu gong ying) tea? Bro Niu: Yes, those with G6PD deficiency can drink dandelion tea.
- Q (Karen): People with diabetes find eucommia (du zhong) tea heating — what can I add to balance it? Bro Niu: Are you steeping eucommia leaf tea? Add a small pinch of green tea to the brew and it will ease the heatiness.
Published April 6, 2024 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
