Sea Polygonatum Pearl Oyster Shell Goji Chrysanthemum Tea

Why people make this tea

Cataracts tend to develop gradually, and in the period before surgery — or for those managing the early stages — many people in the Cantonese tradition turn to food therapy as a way to nourish the eyes and support overall vitality. This four-ingredient tea was designed with exactly that in mind: sea polygonatum to moisten and nourish, pearl oyster shell for its traditionally calming and liver-supporting properties, and the classic pairing of goji and chrysanthemum, which is one of the best-known eye-support combinations in Chinese herbal cooking.

The tea is also a practical choice for people with diabetes, who may have eye-related concerns associated with that condition.

Method

1. Rinse all ingredients.
2. Place the pearl oyster shell and sea polygonatum in a pot with 1.5 L of water.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium simmer for 20 minutes, until the liquid reduces to about 750 ml.
4. Add the goji berries and chrysanthemum flowers. Continue to simmer for a further 10 minutes.
5. Pour through a strainer and serve warm. Rock sugar may be added if desired.

Nourilo’s Tips

Huang jing (the standard Solomon’s seal herb) can be substituted for sea polygonatum if needed — the therapeutic properties are similar — but the resulting tea will be very dark in colour, which some people find less appealing. Sea polygonatum gives a much more attractive, amber-toned brew. Pearl oyster shell is found at Chinese herbal medicine shops and is quite inexpensive; do not skip it, as it is the ingredient that contributes the calming, liver-supporting quality to the tea.