Safflower, Goji Berry and Longan Flesh Tea

Why people make this tea

Safflower (hong hua) is a well-known ingredient in Chinese herbal medicine, prized for its traditionally blood-moving and circulation-supporting properties. There is a saying that Nourilo often shares: “used in large amounts, safflower breaks stagnation; used in small amounts, it nourishes the blood.” So this recipe uses just one spoonful — enough to encourage gentle circulation without over-stimulating. Paired with the sweetly nourishing goji berries and longan flesh, the result is a pleasantly sweet and fragrant tea that people drink to support skin clarity, easier sleep and healthy circulation. The taste is mild and easy to enjoy.

Method

1. Place all three ingredients into a teapot or heatproof cup.
2. Rinse briefly with a small amount of boiling water; discard the rinse water.
3. Add fresh boiling water and steep, covered, for about 7 minutes.
4. Pour and enjoy. You may refill with hot water once or twice more.

Nourilo’s Tips

Use the regular Carthamus safflower (川红花) from a Chinese herb shop — it costs only a few dollars per liang and has a pleasant, slightly unusual scent that mellows nicely in the tea. The more famous saffron (番红花 — used in Spanish paella) is extremely expensive and not needed here. If you use Tibetan saffron, half a teaspoon is sufficient. Take this tea for 2–3 days in the week before your period, not as a daily year-round drink.