Luo Han Guo Flower, Goji and Red Date Tea

Why people make this tea

Luo Han Guo flowers are a pleasantly fragrant and accessible ingredient available at Chinese herb shops. As someone who teaches regularly and relies on his voice, Bro Niu was already familiar with the whole Luo Han Guo fruit for throat care — but the flowers turned out to be easier to brew and less cloyingly sweet, making them a gentler option that even children tend to enjoy. Adding goji berries and red dates softens the slightly cool nature of the flower and rounds out the tea with a light, pleasant flavour.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suitable for people who use their voice a lot (teachers, singers, speakers), those who experience mild throat dryness or minor irritation from smoke or alcohol, and anyone looking for a simple daily wellness tea.
• Children generally tolerate this tea well due to the mild sweetness of the dates and goji berries.
• Pregnant women should not drink this tea — Luo Han Guo flower is contraindicated in pregnancy.
• Those with a cold-type constitution (constantly feeling cold, digestive weakness) should limit frequency, as the flower has a cooling nature.

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Luo Han Guo flower (luo han guo hua): Traditionally associated with clearing heat and supporting the throat and voice; also used in folk practice for mild skin concerns and freshening breath.
• Goji berries (gou qi zi): Considered in Chinese food therapy to nourish liver and kidney yin, support the eyes, and gently brighten the complexion.
• Red dates (hong zao): Warming and nourishing; traditionally used to support qi and blood and to moderate the cooling nature of other herbs in a blend.

Ingredients (1 pot / 2–3 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Luo Han Guo flower (dried)	1 tablespoon	Available at Chinese herb shops
Goji berries	1 tablespoon
Red dates	6 pieces	Pitted and sliced for better flavour release

Method

1. Pit and slice the red dates.
2. Place the Luo Han Guo flower, goji berries, and sliced dates into a teapot.
3. Pour in a small amount of boiling water to rinse the ingredients; discard this first rinse.
4. Pour in fresh boiling water to fill the pot. Steep for 7–10 minutes before drinking.
5. The tea can be re-steeped until the flavour fades.

Bro Niu’s tips

If you cannot find Luo Han Guo flowers, substitute about one-quarter of a whole Luo Han Guo fruit (crushed). Luo Han Guo flowers are available at Chinese or Asian herb shops. A large bag is very affordable and keeps well. This tea is delicious, but pregnant women should not drink it.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (reader): Can someone who has had a stroke drink Luo Han Guo tea? Bro Niu: Yes, Luo Han Guo tea is fine for people who have had a stroke.

• Q (Penny): I am a teacher and my voice is overworked. I also have chronically enlarged tonsils. Is there a simple steeped tea that can help? Bro Niu: Try using one-sixth of a golden Luo Han Guo fruit and a tablespoon of Mai Dong (ophiopogon root), placed in a tea bag inside your teapot. Rinse once with boiling water, then steep for 15 minutes. Drink daily for a week. If throat pain is present, add 4–5 Pang Da Hai seeds to the blend.

• Q (reader): Can a child with weaker lungs drink this tea? Bro Niu: For children with a weaker constitution of the lungs, Luo Han Guo tea is actually on the cooler side and may not be the best fit. A more suitable option would be a soup with Cordyceps flower, snow fungus, lily bulb, almonds, and figs — simmered for 2 hours. The whole family can drink it.

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Published December 30, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.