Mulberry Leaf, Mulberry Fruit and Goji Berry Tea

Why people make this tea

In Chinese food therapy, the mulberry tree is considered one of the most generous plants around — almost every part of it has a traditional use. This particular tea brings together three of its gifts: the leaf, the fruit, and the trusty goji berry. People brew it when their eyesight feels less sharp than it used to be, when their eyes feel dry after a long day on the computer, or when they notice the early fuzziness that comes with age. Bro Niu says it is also well suited to anyone who spends long hours staring at screens — not as a substitute for rest, but as a small daily kindness to the eyes.

Who it suits / who should be cautious

• Suited to adults whose vision has gradually declined, or whose eyes feel dry, tired or irritated from prolonged screen use
• People with blurry or unfocused vision, or early-stage age-related eye changes
• Caution: if you have a loose stool tendency, start with smaller amounts; mulberry fruit has a mild laxative effect
• Menstruating women may prefer to wait until after their period (the combination is considered mildly activating in traditional terms)

Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)

• Mulberry leaf (sang ye): Traditionally considered to dispel wind-heat and brighten the eyes; associated with cooling liver fire, which in Chinese medicine is linked to red or irritated eyes
• Mulberry fruit (sang shen zi): Traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys and to enrich the blood; the deep purple color is associated with antioxidant-rich pigments
• Goji berries (gou qi zi): Perhaps the most well-known Chinese food-therapy ingredient for the eyes; traditionally used to supplement liver and kidney yin, and widely associated with supporting visual acuity and eye moisture

Ingredients (2 cups)

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Mulberry leaf (sang ye)	18 g	Dried; from a Chinese herb shop
Dried mulberry fruit (sang shen zi)	18 g	Or 75 g fresh mulberries
Goji berries (gou qi zi)	18 g	Dried
Water	600 ml (about 3 bowls)

Method

1. Rinse all three ingredients briefly under cold water.
2. Combine with 600 ml of water in a small pot.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Pour into cups and drink warm.
5. The goji berries can be eaten after drinking.

Bro Niu’s tips

This tea is well suited to those who spend long hours at a computer or on their phone — it can be taken regularly. If the whole family wants to share it, add 3 slices of fresh ginger and 75 g of fresh clam meat, and simmer for 15 minutes. The ginger balances the cooling nature of the other ingredients, and clam meat adds extra yin-nourishing benefit.

Community questions answered (selected)

• Q (Polly): Can I mix mulberry leaf, dried black mulberry, goji berries and longan together as a daily tea for someone with yin deficiency? And can it be taken during menstruation or pregnancy? Bro Niu: If you have yin deficiency symptoms, swap the longan for 4 pieces of nan zao (southern dates) in the blend. Regarding menstruation — it is best to wait until after your period has finished.

• Q (Stephy): My eyes have had persistent red veins for a long time, getting worse in the evenings. I have seen a Chinese doctor for a while with little improvement. What would you suggest? Bro Niu: You may have eye fatigue or fragile blood vessels in the eyes. This mulberry-goji tea is a good choice, or you can try brewing black goji berries and eating them after drinking. Also, try to rest your eyes for a short while every hour when using a computer or phone. Search for “jin chan hua” (cordyceps flower) on this site — there is an article with a soup specifically for eye nourishment.

• Q (reader, re: dry eye syndrome): I have severe dry eyes. Are there soups or drinks that might help? Bro Niu: You can try a soup with goji berries (4 qian), one carrot and 6 red dates, cooked with fresh clam meat or fish maw. You might also pick up a bottle of Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (a classic Chinese herbal supplement for liver-kidney eye nourishment) from a Chinese herbal pharmacy.

---

Published April 7, 2016 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 3 min read.