Herbal & Flower Teas
Schisandra, Codonopsis, Longan and Lotus Seed Tea
traditionally associated with calming anxiety, easing low mood, and supporting restful sleep
Why people make this tea
City life brings a particular kind of exhaustion: not just physical tiredness, but the mental wear of constant pressure, packed schedules, and too little sleep. When this accumulates over time, you may start to notice low mood, forgetfulness, unease, or a racing heart at night — what traditional Chinese medicine broadly describes as “neurasthenia” or weakness of the nervous system rooted in deficiency of the heart and spleen.
This four-ingredient tea has been gaining attention in recent years as a supportive daily brew. Schisandra berries are its centrepiece — small, five-flavoured fruits that are one of the most studied adaptogens in Chinese herbal practice. Paired with the gentle qi-tonifying power of codonopsis, the calming quality of lotus seeds, and the blood-nourishing sweetness of longan, this tea is designed for people who look pale, feel drained, lose concentration easily, or find themselves lying awake with a restless mind. It can be drunk regularly as a wellness tea, not just during a crisis.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Suits those with fatigue, low mood, mild anxiety, difficulty concentrating, heart palpitations, insomnia, or poor memory
- Particularly associated with the pattern of heart and spleen deficiency: pale complexion, low energy, unsteady mood
- Also considered beneficial for depression, according to Bro Niu
- Do not drink this tea during an active cold, flu, or any acute illness — wait until fully recovered
- People who tend to run hot (easily get internal heat / “shang huo”) should substitute the longan flesh with 1 liang of dried lily bulb (bai he) to temper the warming quality
- Drink 3–4 times a week rather than daily — give your body time to process and respond
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Schisandra berries (wu wei zi): Named for its five flavours — sour, sweet, bitter, salty, pungent — schisandra is traditionally associated with tonifying all five organ systems. It is particularly used to calm the spirit, support the heart, and help the body adapt to stress. Modern research has also explored its potential to support liver function and cognitive performance, though more evidence is needed.
- Codonopsis root (dang shen): A gentler alternative to ginseng, often used to replenish qi and strengthen the spleen and lungs — addressing the root of fatigue and low appetite.
- Lotus seeds (lian zi): Traditionally used to calm the mind, strengthen the spleen and kidneys, and ease anxiety and insomnia. A foundational ingredient in many sleep-supporting and calming recipes.
- Longan flesh (gui yuan rou): Sweet and warming, associated with nourishing the blood, tonifying the heart, and calming the spirit. Those prone to internal heat should reduce or replace with lily bulb.
Ingredients (2 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schisandra berries (wu wei zi) | 3 qian (~11 g) | Available at Chinese herbal shops |
| Codonopsis root (dang shen) | 5 qian (~18 g) | Slice if purchased whole |
| Lotus seeds (lian zi) | 5 qian (~18 g) | Dried; remove the green core if present |
| Longan flesh (gui yuan rou) | 4 qian (~15 g) | Dried; substitute bai he if heat-prone |
Method
- Rinse all ingredients briefly.
- Combine in a pot with 5 bowls of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour until reduced to 2 bowls.
- Drink warm. The lotus seeds and longan can be eaten.
Bro Niu’s tips
This tea is beneficial for people with depressive tendencies, but do not reach for it while you have a cold or any active external illness — it is strictly for when you are otherwise well.
No matter how beneficial a tea is, Bro Niu recommends drinking it 3–4 times a week rather than every single day. Let your body have some days to work on its own. Continue until your symptoms improve.
If you tend to get hot or irritated easily, swap the longan flesh for dried lily bulb (bai he, 1 liang). Longan is warm and nourishing, but quite drying — lily bulb is cooling and calming and will suit your constitution better.
Community questions answered (selected)
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Q (anonymous): Can this tea be drunk every day? How often should I take it, and for how long? Bro Niu: No matter how beneficial a tea is, 3–4 times a week is enough — leave your body some days to function on its own. Drink it until your symptoms improve.
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Q (Qing): I tend to get hot and bothered easily. Is this tea still suitable for poor sleep and difficulty falling asleep? Bro Niu: Yes, but substitute the longan flesh with 1 liang of lily bulb (bai he). Longan is quite warming; lily bulb clears the heart and calms the spirit and will suit you better.
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Q (lee / keung): Can an 11-year-old boy drink this tea? He is very thin. Can he drink codonopsis-type soups every day? Bro Niu: Yes, an 11-year-old boy can have codonopsis-type soups. On regular days, use yam, lotus seeds, poria, fox nuts (qian shi), and red dates cooked with chicken or lean pork to strengthen the spleen and aid absorption. For the whole family, use 1 liang of each ingredient, cook for 2 hours, and eat the solids as well as drinking the broth.
Published July 10, 2014 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 4 min read.
