Herbal & Flower Teas
Mulberry Mistletoe Lotus Longan Egg Tea
Traditionally used to nourish the liver and kidneys, support tendons and joints, and calm the mind
Why people make this tea
This sweet egg tea is one of those time-honoured Cantonese home remedies that people have been making for generations. In its simplest form it is just sang ji sheng (Chinese mulberry mistletoe) simmered with a couple of eggs and a piece of rock sugar. Over time, lotus seeds and dried longan crept into the recipe, rounding out the flavour and deepening the nourishing effect. Bro Niu notes that nowadays some herb shops sell a processed version of sang ji sheng — steam-treated, darker in colour, and noticeably less bitter — which makes the tea even more pleasant to drink. The result is a warm, gently sweet brew that many Cantonese families make regularly, especially for women who experience lower back tiredness and for those who want something calming before bed.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for people with lower back fatigue or mild achy knees, especially after prolonged sitting or standing
- Well-suited to pregnant and postpartum women for lower back support; however, pregnant women must omit the dried longan (which is warming and stimulating) and use 6 to 8 red dates instead
- Those with low blood pressure should reduce sang ji sheng to around 5 qian (~18 g), as it has a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect
- Suitable for all ages including young children; cancer patients may drink it but should omit the sugar
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Chinese mulberry mistletoe (sang ji sheng): A classic herb in Cantonese food therapy; traditionally used to strengthen the sinews, bones, and lower back and to support a healthy pregnancy. The processed (steamed) version is less bitter and more palatable
- Lotus seeds (lian zi): Nourish the heart and spleen, calm the mind, and support digestive health. They add a light, starchy sweetness to the tea
- Dried longan (yuan rou): Warming and sweet; traditionally associated with nourishing the blood and calming the spirit. Not suitable for pregnant women — substitute with red dates
- Eggs: A complete protein that enriches the whole dish; they absorb the flavours of the brew beautifully when simmered in the sweetened liquid
- Raw cane sugar (pian tang): Adds natural sweetness; the slight mineral content of raw cane sugar is preferred over refined white sugar in traditional cooking
Ingredients (2 bowls / 1–2 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese mulberry mistletoe (sang ji sheng) | ~55 g (1.5 liang) | Processed / steam-treated variety preferred; soak and rinse |
| Lotus seeds (lian zi) | ~37 g (1 liang) | Soak and rinse |
| Dried longan flesh (yuan rou) | 10 pieces | Pregnant women substitute with 6–8 red dates |
| Eggs | 2 | Hard-boiled, then peeled |
| Raw cane sugar (pian tang) | To taste | Adjust to sweetness preference |
Method
- Hard-boil the eggs, peel, and set aside.
- Soak and rinse the sang ji sheng and lotus seeds.
- Combine sang ji sheng, lotus seeds, and dried longan in a pot with 6 to 7 bowls (about 1.5 litres) of cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 45 minutes.
- Add the raw cane sugar and the peeled hard-boiled eggs. Continue simmering until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Serve warm, eating the eggs and lotus seeds along with the liquid.
Bro Niu’s tips
The processed (steamed) sang ji sheng shown in the photo is noticeably darker and cleaner in appearance than the unprocessed variety; it tastes less astringent and makes for a much more pleasant drink. Regular consumption is said to support skin health as well. Pregnant women must replace the longan with red dates. Those with low blood pressure can still enjoy this tea by reducing the sang ji sheng to about 5 qian. Do not steep sang ji sheng like a teabag — it needs proper simmering to release its properties.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (Zara): I love this tea but a friend told me I cannot drink it because my blood pressure is low. Is there anything I can add to make it suitable? Bro Niu: Sang ji sheng does have a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect, but if you use a smaller amount — around 5 qian — and keep the longan and lotus seeds, it should be fine even for someone with low blood pressure.
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Q (Jackie): Every time after my period I drink sang ji sheng with lotus seeds, longan, and red dates, but I always get a headache afterwards. Why? Bro Niu: Longan is quite warming in nature and may cause some people to feel a bit over-heated. Try replacing the longan with 5 nan dates (南枣) and see if the headache goes away.
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Q (Naomi): I twisted my back doing housework a few days ago. I am still taking anti-inflammatory medication. Would this tea help? Bro Niu: Yes, you can drink this tea. For a back injury like yours, replacing the lotus seeds with green-kernel black beans (qing ren hei dou) would be even better.
Published March 22, 2018 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
