🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Madam Wang, aged 62, still has excellent eyesight. She reads and writes without reading glasses, threads needles without help. Her secret? Drinking chrysanthemum and goji berry tea daily.
Madam Wang recalls suffering from recurrent conjunctivitis (red eye) in childhood—four consecutive summers, each year bringing severe eye inflammation, nearly blinding her. Later, she met an old TCM doctor who gave her this recipe. She’s used it for decades, never suffered another episode, even avoided major red-eye outbreaks. Even her husband’s "TV eye strain" and her son’s driving-induced eye fatigue were cured by this tea—truly miraculous.
Chrysanthemum and goji berry tea isn’t actually tea—it’s simply brewed like tea using chrysanthemum and goji berries. Use Hangzhou chrysanthemum; Madam Wang grows it in her yard. In autumn, she harvests and dries it. Use Ningxia goji berries—small, bright red. Each time, use 10 grams chrysanthemum, 10 grams goji berries, place in a large teapot, pour in hot water, steep for 10 minutes, then drink.
Why is this tea so effective?
First, chrysanthemum: It clears wind-heat, detoxifies, and improves vision. Modern studies show chrysanthemum contains chrysanthemum glycosides, adenine, amino acids, betaine, stachydrine, flavonoids, and vitamin B1. It inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Shigella dysenteriae, influenza virus, and skin fungi. High doses lower blood pressure. In one study, chrysanthemum preparations treated 61 coronary heart disease patients with 80% total effectiveness, significantly improving symptoms like chest tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, and limb numbness. Among patients with hypertension, two-thirds saw reduced blood pressure.
Now, goji berries: They nourish yin, enrich blood, replenish essence, and improve vision. *The Book of Pharmacological Properties* states: "Supplements deficiencies in essence and spirit... Brightens eyes, calms the spirit." *The Classic of Materia Medica* says: "Long-term use strengthens tendons and bones." Scientific evidence confirms goji berries reduce blood glucose, lower blood cholesterol, and inhibit atherosclerosis formation, thus preventing coronary heart disease.
Therefore, chrysanthemum and goji berry tea prevents and treats various eye diseases, benefits diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease—ideal for the elderly. Those with weak spleen and stomach should add a few jujubes during preparation to enhance spleen-strengthening effects.