Ophiopogon Goji Lotus Plumule Tea

Why people make this tea

Modern city life brings a particular kind of stress: not always physical exhaustion, but a restless, unsettled quality — trouble falling asleep, an irritable undercurrent, a sense of heat that seems to come from nowhere. Traditional Cantonese food therapy has a term for this state and a simple remedy for it. This three-ingredient tea — ophiopogon root, goji berries, and lotus seed embryo — is one of the gentlest ways to address that restless, overheated feeling. Nourilo recommends it especially in summer, when the heat outside can amplify the heat within.

Method

1. Rinse all the ingredients briefly in cool water.
2. Add the rinsed ingredients to a small pot with 900 ml of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Pour and serve warm. A small amount of rock sugar or honey may be added to taste.

Nourilo’s Tips

If you are lucky enough to find fresh lotus seeds, the little green heart (plumule) inside can be removed, frozen, and used for tea whenever needed. Dry lotus plumule is available at Chinese herbal medicine shops. Use 1 teaspoon of dried plumule versus 2 teaspoons of fresh — the dried form is more concentrated. Beyond calming the mind, lotus plumule is traditionally associated with blood-pressure support, which is worth noting for anyone whose blood pressure already runs low. In that case, simply swap the lotus plumule for 10 longans.