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Goji Chrysanthemum Cassia Seed Tea

杞菊决明子茶

 

Goji Chrysanthemum Cassia Seed Tea

杞菊决明子茶
 

Dietary Therapy for Brightening the Eyes and Clearing the Liver
明目清肝食疗方

 

Ingredients

• Goji berries (枸杞子 Gǒu qǐ zǐ) — 10 g
• Chrysanthemum flowers (菊花 Jú huā) — 3 g
• Cassia seeds (决明子 Jué míng zǐ) — 20 g

 

Preparation

Place goji berries, chrysanthemum, and cassia seeds into a large cup with a lid.
Pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 15 minutes before drinking.

 

Dosage

Drink as tea.
You can typically steep the same ingredients 3–5 times.

 

Effects

• Clears liver heat
• Nourishes yin
• Brightens the eyes
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces blood lipids

 

Indications

Used for conditions of Liver-fire and ascending liver-yang, especially in post-stroke sequelae of the “excess-heat” type, including:

• Limb paralysis
• Dizziness
• Heavy head with light feet
• Facial flushing
• Irritability and anger
• Elevated blood pressure
• Tongue: red with yellow coating
• Pulse: wiry

 

Explanation

Modern research shows that:

• Goji berries dilate coronary arteries and improve microcirculation.
• Chrysanthemum helps lower blood lipids and soothe liver heat.
• Cassia seeds reduce blood lipids and blood pressure.

This tea is particularly effective for post-stroke patients with excess heat, strong liver-fire, and hyperactive liver-yang.

 

Goji Berry

(枸杞子, Gou Qi Zi)

Goji berries—also known simply as Lycium fruit—are the ripe fruits of plants in the Solanaceae family.
They taste sweet, are neutral in nature, and enter the liver and kidney meridians (肝腎經).
They have a long history as both food and medicine.

 

Major Functions

1. Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys (滋补肝肾)

Useful for:

• Physical fatigue, low vitality
• Weakness of the lower back and knees
• Dizziness, tinnitus
• Male sexual weakness, nocturnal emission

 

2. Nourishes essence and brightens the eyes (益精明目)

Improves:

• Blurred vision
• Eye strain
• Dry eyes

Especially suitable for people who use computers frequently.

 

3. Immune regulation and anti-aging

Studies show:

• Immune-boosting effects
• Anti-aging properties
• Antitumor potential

 

4. Liver protection

Helps:

• Prevent liver damage
• Promote liver cell regeneration
• Reduce fatty liver and lipid accumulation

 

5. Beauty and skin health

Rich in vitamins and trace elements:

• Moisturizes skin
• Improves complexion
• Anti-aging

 

How to Consume Goji Berries

1. As tea – alone or with chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, astragalus, longan.
2. In porridge or soups – common in tonic and restorative dishes.
3. Eat directly – better absorption.
4. In herbal formulas – paired with other herbs.

 

Precautions

Recommended Intake

• Normal health: 20 g/day
• Therapeutic use: up to 30 g/day

 

Excess intake may cause heat signs:

• Mouth dryness
• Nosebleeds
• Heat sensation

 

Use with caution if:

• You have hypertension and tend to feel hot
• You have fever or acute inflammation
• You are experiencing diarrhea
• You have a red face from excess heat or heavy meat intake

 

Chrysanthemum

(菊花, Jú Huā)

Chrysanthemum morifolium is a perennial plant with a long history of use both ornamentally and medicinally.

 

Botanical & Horticultural Features

• One of the most highly developed flowering plants
• Its “flower head” is composed of many small flowers
• Categories include:
  • Large chrysanthemum (大菊)
  • Medium chrysanthemum (中菊)
  • Small chrysanthemum (小菊)
• Flowering season: June–November
• Shapes: single-petaled, double-petaled, anemone-type

 

Symbolism (Flower Meanings)

• Longevity
• Integrity
• Joy
• Optimism

Yellow chrysanthemum: sincerity or unrequited love
Pompon chrysanthemum: “My heart is sincere.”

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine Properties

• Taste: sweet, bitter
• Nature: cool
• Meridians: lung, liver
• Functions:
  • Dispels wind
  • Clears heat
  • Calms the liver
  • Brightens the eyes
  • Detoxifies

Commonly used in chrysanthemum tea or herbal formulas.

 

Cassia Seed

(决明子, Jué Míng Zǐ)

Cassia seeds are the dried mature seeds of Cassia obtusifolia or related species.

• Taste: sweet, slightly bitter
• Nature: slightly cold
• Functions:
  • Clears liver heat
  • Brightens eyes
  • Moistens intestines to relieve constipation

 

Major Functions

1. Clears the liver and brightens eyes (清肝明目)

Useful for:

• Red, swollen eyes
• Photophobia
• Tearing

 

2. Relieves constipation by moistening intestines (润肠通便)

 

3. Lowers blood pressure and blood lipids (降压降脂)

 

4. Adjunctive therapeutic effects

Supports:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Hypertensive eye symptoms

 

Contraindications

Avoid or use cautiously if:

• You have spleen/stomach deficiency-cold
• You have diarrhea
• You are pregnant
• You have low blood pressure

 

How to Consume

 

1. Cassia Seed Tea – roasted seeds steeped in boiling water.
2. Goji–Chrysanthemum–Cassia Seed Tea – synergistic formula.
3. Cassia Seed Porridge – cassia seed/chrysanthemum decoction used as stock for porridge.