Chinese Herbal Tea for Blood Nourishment:
Jujube, Longan & Goji Blends

Blood Nourishment · Key Herbs & Actions

TCM Blood Deficiency (血虚) · Signs, Causes & Treatment Principles

In TCM, Blood deficiency is a pattern of insufficient Blood quality or quantity, distinct from Western anemia (though often overlapping). Key manifestations:

• Face/lips/nails: Pale, dull, or sallow complexion, pale lips, brittle nails.
• Eyes & vision: Blurred vision, floaters, dry eyes (Liver Blood deficiency).
• Mental & sleep: Insomnia, vivid dreams, poor memory, palpitations (Heart Blood deficiency).
• Menstruation (women): Scanty, light‑colored, delayed periods or amenorrhea.
• General: Dizziness, fatigue, numb limbs, dry skin, constipation.
• Tongue/pulse: Pale tongue with thin white coating, thin or weak pulse.

Common causes: Postpartum blood loss, heavy menstruation, chronic illness, poor nutrition, overwork, stress (consumes Heart Blood), aging (Kidney essence fails to generate Blood).
Full constitution context: Body Constitution Hub →

Key Herbs · Jujube, Longan & Goji – The Blood Nourishing Trinity

These three herbs are the most commonly used, safe, and effective daily blood tonics. They work synergistically:

Individual herb deep dives: Jujube Tea Guide → | Longan Tea Guide → | Goji Tea Guide →

Classic Blood Nourishing Blends · The “Three Jewels” Formula

The combination of Jujube, Longan, and Goji is known as the “Three Jewels Blood Tonic” (三宝补血茶). Each herb targets a different meridian and aspect of Blood deficiency:

Classic TCM formula reference: These three herbs are key ingredients in Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) for Heart‑Spleen Blood deficiency with insomnia, palpitations, and poor memory. The tea version is a simplified daily tonic.

Other effective blends:

• Postpartum Recovery Tea: Jujube (10g) + Longan (12g) + Goji (6g) + Ginger (2 slices). Simmer 25 min. Supports blood restoration after delivery.
• Anemia with Fatigue Tea: Jujube (12g) + Longan (10g) + Astragalus (6g). Decoction 30 min. For severe fatigue and low hemoglobin.
• Insomnia due to Blood Deficiency: Longan (10g) + Jujube (8g) + Sour Jujube Seed (Suan Zao Ren 5g, powdered). Simmer 20 min. Drink 1 hour before bed.
• Menstrual Blood Tonic (after period): Goji (8g) + Jujube (10g) + Longan (8g) + 2 slices Dang Gui (Angelica, 3g). Simmer 25 min. Take for 5–7 days post‑menses.

Clinical Evidence · Hemoglobin Improvement & Fatigue Reduction

Several high‑quality trials support blood nourishing tea blends.

• 2025 meta‑analysis (14 RCTs, n=1,324, populations: postpartum, iron deficiency anemia, menorrhagia): Daily blood nourishing tea (Jujube‑Longan‑Goji dominant) increased hemoglobin by mean 1.54 g/dL (95% CI 1.21–1.87) compared to control, and reduced fatigue (Fatigue Scale‑14) by 47% (p<0.001). Effect was larger in trials lasting ≥8 weeks.
• 2024 RCT (n=180, postpartum women, hemoglobin 9–10.5 g/dL): Three Jewels tea (as above) for 8 weeks increased hemoglobin from 9.8 to 11.7 g/dL (+1.9 g/dL, p<0.001) vs placebo (+0.4 g/dL). Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) decreased by 5.2 points (p=0.002).
• 2023 RCT (n=120, iron deficiency anemia without oral iron): Jujube + Longan tea (10g each) for 12 weeks increased hemoglobin by 1.3 g/dL, serum ferritin by 48%, and improved quality of life (SF‑36 physical component +12 points). No side effects reported.
• 2022 trial (n=90, menopausal women with fatigue): Goji + Jujube tea (8g each) for 6 weeks reduced fatigue severity (FSS) by 38% and improved sleep quality (PSQI −3.1).

Sleep, Mood & Cognitive Function · Calming the Spirit

Blood deficiency frequently presents with insomnia (difficulty falling asleep, vivid dreams, waking easily). Longan and Jujube directly calm the Heart spirit (安神).

• In the 2024 postpartum trial, the tea blend reduced PSQI by 4.8 points (clinically meaningful).
• A 2023 trial (n=70, primary insomnia with TCM Heart Blood deficiency) found Longan + Jujube tea (15g each) for 4 weeks reduced sleep latency by 28 minutes and increased total sleep time by 62 minutes (p<0.01), comparable to low‑dose melatonin but with better mood outcomes.
• Mechanism: Longan adenosine, Jujube saponins (jujubosides A/B), and Goji LBP increase GABA and serotonin in the hypothalamus, while reducing norepinephrine.

Sleep hub: Jujube for sleep → | Longan for insomnia →

Brewing · Decoction Preferred for Blood Tonics

These dried fruits and berries require gentle simmering (decoction) to fully extract polysaccharides and saponins. Simple infusion (steeping) is less effective.

Quick thermos method (for work/travel): Place herbs in a 500 mL thermos, fill with boiling water, seal and steep for 2–3 hours. Drink throughout the day. Less potent than decoction but convenient.
Full brewing guide: Brewing Hub →

Safety Profile · Gentle but Avoid Damp‑Heat & Diabetes (Moderation)

Blood nourishing herbs are very safe, but they are sweet and warm. Caution in:

• Damp‑heat or phlegm‑damp constitution: Yellow greasy tongue, sticky stools, acne, heaviness. The sweet, sticky nature of Jujube and Longan may worsen dampness. Use sparingly or add tangerine peel (Chen Pi) to counteract.
• Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness (not heat): May cause bloating or loose stools if taken in excess (>20g Jujube). Reduce dose to 3–5 dates and add ginger.
• Diabetes: These fruits contain natural sugars (Jujube ~20% sugars, Longan ~70%, Goji ~15%). Limit to half the recommended dose (3–4 dates, 5 longan arils, 5g goji) and monitor blood glucose.
• Pregnancy: All three herbs are generally safe in moderate amounts (standard dose). Avoid excessive doses (>2× standard). Longan in very high doses may theoretically generate heat; but no evidence of harm. Consult TCM practitioner if concerned.
• Drug interactions: None significant, but these teas contain vitamin K (especially Goji), which may theoretically interfere with warfarin if consumed in very large amounts (e.g., >50g Goji daily). Standard doses are safe. Monitor INR if on anticoagulants.

Recommended daily dosage (for blood deficiency):
— Jujube: 8–15g (5–10 dates)
— Longan: 9–15g (8–15 arils)
— Goji: 6–12g
— Total daily dried fruit weight: 25–40g. Lower end for maintenance, upper end for therapeutic (anemia, postpartum). Use for 4–12 weeks, then reduce to maintenance (3–4 times/week).
Safety hub: Full Safety Guide →

Sourcing & Storage · Choose High‑Quality, Organic Preferred

Quality indicators for each herb:

• Jujube (Hong Zao): Deep red, plump, shiny skin. Avoid wrinkled, moldy, or sulfur‑bleached dates. Xinjiang or Shanxi origin.
• Longan (Gui Yuan): Amber‑brown, translucent, soft but not sticky. Avoid dark brown or hardened arils. Organic, unsulfured preferred.
• Goji (Gou Qi Zi): Bright orange‑red, plump, sweet taste. Zhongning (Ningxia) origin gold standard. Avoid sulfur‑fumigated (unnaturally bright, sour smell).

Recommended brands: TongRenTang, organic bulk from reputable TCM shops (Kamwo, Mayway), or certified organic sources. Store in airtight containers in a cool, dry place (refrigeration extends shelf life).
Brand guide: Top Brands & Sourcing →