Schisandra, Goji and Licorice Tea

Why people make this tea

Nourilo calls schisandra a remarkable herb: its skin and flesh are sweet-sour, the seed is pungent-bitter, and the whole berry carries a touch of salt — five flavours in one, hence the name “five-flavour seed.” In traditional thinking, the five flavours reach the five organs, so it is associated with steadying the body, easing cough, settling sweat and supporting the gut, and in recent years it is often used to support those with frayed nerves. For people who tend to sweat at night, he shares this simple tea, traditionally seen as helpful for night sweats, a stubborn cough and poor sleep.

Method

1. Rinse the ingredients.
2. Cook in 1.2 L of water for half an hour, reducing to 600 ml. Serve.

Nourilo’s Tips

Northern schisandra is generally regarded as better quality than southern: the northern berries are a darker, duller red, while the southern ones are brighter. The goji and licorice in the tea are traditionally seen as supporting the body’s resilience.