Longan and Black Goji Berry Tea (Yuan Rou Hei Qi Zi Cha)

Why people make this tea

Some people — especially those who tend to be pale, tired, or constitutionally fragile — experience a particular kind of disturbed sleep: waking from vivid nightmares, heart pounding, a feeling of lingering dread in the chest. In the Chinese tradition this is associated with a pattern called “heart blood insufficiency” — the heart lacks the nourishment it needs to anchor the spirit through the night. Longan flesh has been used for centuries as one of the premier sweet tonics for the heart and spleen. Black goji berries, richer in anthocyanins than the common red variety, add an antioxidant dimension and are traditionally associated with supporting the blood and improving circulation and vision. Together they make a tea that is delicious enough to drink every evening as a small ritual of self-care.