This Saturday I went to get a foot massage at a local reflexology place in Culver City. After an hour of pampering I felt like a jellyfish, my cheeks rosy, my heartbeat soft. On the way out, the Chinese lady who manages the place handed me a cup of tea. It was lightly sweet, and felt so nourishing that in no time I was ready for another one.

She smiled, read my expression, and said, “I’ll make you another, so you can take it home with you.” As I watched, I saw her putting a handful of Goji berries and red dates into my tea. And aha! It became clear to me then that she was making one of my favorite teas of all time.

Red dates and Goji berries are widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. Because of its rich properties in amino acids and natural minerals, red date and Goji berry tea is known in China as the longevity drink.

It’s especially beneficial to women’s health, as it contains a high concentration of antioxidants that are capable of fighting free radicals in the body, thus promoting good wellbeing. In addition to helping with anxiety and insomnia, red date and Gogi berry tea also helps to protect liver function, boost the immune system and improve circulation.

So on Sunday, I made a large pot of red date and Goji berry tea for myself. It’s extremely simple. Make one for yourself and enjoy this super rich and nourishing tea at home…

You’ll need some Goji berries and red dates of course. They are widely available in health food stores and Chinese herbal stores. Sometimes I also like to add some red tea for its detoxification and energizing effect.

Put the a handful of red dates, a handful of Goji berries, and a couple of teaspoons of red tea into a tea pot and fill it up with water. You know me by now. I’m not very strict on measurements. To me, a handful works just fine.

Now it’s time to put the teapot on the stove and boil the water. Once the water starts to boil, turn down the fire and let it brew for a little while longer, say 10 to 15 minutes if you like a stronger flavor and extra richness.

And in a couple of minutes, you are ready to enjoy this rich, delicious and nourishing tea. Pour out a cup for yourself, sit back and enjoy. Note that you can probably make a couple of teapots with the same ingredients. “Use up everything and don’t waste.” This is what my Chinese tradition would say.

Sometimes I also pour some tea into my little thermos bottle and take it to go. So I can enjoy it while driving, or in the office, and nourish myself all day long…

You can find the red date and Goji berry tea at our online Harmony Store. Let us know how you like it!