Herbal & Flower Teas
Ophiopogon, Goji Berry and Chrysanthemum Tea
Traditionally associated with supporting liver health and helping prevent fatty liver
Why people make this tea
Most people associate fatty liver with heavy drinking or obesity, but it can also develop from protein malnutrition, abnormal lipid metabolism, or long-term use of medications such as painkillers, antibiotics and steroids that place strain on the liver. Early-stage fatty liver often produces no symptoms at all, which makes it easy to overlook. Only as it progresses does it start to cause upper abdominal discomfort, fatigue, poor appetite or foggy thinking.
This simple three-ingredient tea takes just minutes to prepare. In traditional Chinese food therapy, the combination of ophiopogon, goji and chrysanthemum is believed to nourish liver yin, inhibit the accumulation of fat within liver cells, and support liver cell regeneration. It is also pleasant for the eyes — a welcome bonus for anyone spending long hours at a screen.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suitable for adults of most constitutions; especially helpful for those with yin-deficiency patterns (late nights, dry eyes, easy fatigue)
- Beneficial for people with declining vision or dry eyes from screen use
- If stored cold, allow to warm slightly before drinking — very cold drinks can irritate the stomach
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Ophiopogon (mai dong): Nourishes yin and moistens the lungs; traditionally used to cool internal heat and support the stomach; associated in food therapy with inhibiting fat deposition in liver cells
- Goji berries (gou qi zi): Nourish liver and kidney yin; traditionally associated with brightening the eyes and gently tonifying; the richest tonic element in this formula
- Chrysanthemum (ju hua): Clears liver heat and brightens the eyes; balances the warmer, richer qualities of goji and ophiopogon; provides a pleasant floral note
Ingredients (2 cups, refillable)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ophiopogon tuber (mai dong) | 1 tablespoon | |
| Goji berries (gou qi zi) | 1 tablespoon | |
| Chrysanthemum flowers (ju hua) | 1 tablespoon | Hangzhou (hang ju) or bud chrysanthemum (tai ju) both work |
Method
- Place all ingredients into a reusable tea bag or loose-leaf strainer.
- Put into a teapot or large mug.
- Pour off the first rinse of boiling water immediately to wash the herbs.
- Pour fresh boiling water over the herbs and steep for 10 minutes.
- Drink in portions throughout the day; refill with boiling water until the flavour is spent.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is fragrant and pleasant. Its three ingredients work together in a complementary way: goji enriches and nourishes, ophiopogon cools and moistens, and chrysanthemum clears heat and brightens the eyes. Together they are associated with slowing the accumulation of fat in liver cells and supporting liver cell renewal. For vision health, this is also a fine daily tea. If you prefer to make it as a cold drink, you can brew it on the stovetop, allow it to cool, then refrigerate — but warm it slightly before drinking to protect the stomach.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (wan): I already have fatty liver. Will drinking this help? What can help eliminate it? Bro Niu: Fatty liver has many causes — not just excess fat and oil in the diet. Chronic stress, late nights, and overall eating habits all play a role. This tea can be drunk regularly as a supportive measure. Cooking a soup with green beans, adzuki beans, black beans and tangerine peel is also helpful. A tea of hawthorn berry (shan zha), chrysanthemum and cassia seed (jue ming zi) can also be taken regularly.
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Q (KK): I have alcoholic fatty liver and tend to cough more at night after drinking. What soups are suitable? Bro Niu: Excess alcohol strains the liver — reducing intake is the most helpful thing. You can also buy ge hua (kudzu flower) from a Chinese herbal shop and make a tea with 2 tablespoons per bag, steeped until pale. This is traditionally used to help the body process and clear alcohol; use every day or every other day.
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Q (YIYI): My husband in his forties is under a lot of stress and has been suffering from insomnia. What soups or teas are good for him? Bro Niu: You can simmer lily bulb (bai he) and longan flesh (yuan rou / long yan rou) in water for 20 minutes — this is a gentle, nourishing drink traditionally associated with calming the mind and nourishing the blood. For a tea approach, try toasting a tablespoon of wheat grains (xiao mai) and a tablespoon of sour jujube seeds (suan zao ren) in a dry pan until fragrant, then steep as tea.
Published May 24, 2022 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
