Lingzhi and Longan Tea

Why people make this tea

Insomnia is one of the most common urban complaints — and going several nights without proper sleep can leave anyone frazzled and on edge. In traditional thinking, sleeplessness comes in a few types: a “heart-spleen deficiency” pattern (waking easily, hard to fall back asleep, low appetite); a “yin-deficient with heat” pattern (restless, palpitations, dry mouth at night); and a “gallbladder-deficient, liver-overactive” pattern (startling awake, easily frightened or irritable). Soaking the feet in hot water for ten minutes before bed helps with all of them. This particular tea is traditionally aimed at the heart-spleen pattern, with palpitations and disturbed sleep.

Method

1. Rinse the lingzhi and longan flesh.
2. Simmer in 1.5 L of water for about 1 hour until reduced to 600 ml.
3. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

This tea is traditionally regarded as helpful for those with a weaker constitution who feel cold easily and catch colds or nasal allergies readily. As a bedtime habit, soaking the feet in hot water for about ten minutes before sleep pairs well with it.