Ginseng five treasure tea (人参五宝茶, rén shēn wǔ bǎo chá) is a caffeine-free Chinese herbal tea that pairs ginseng with five classic tonic foods: goji berry, red date, mulberry, maca and polygonatum (huang jing). It is drunk for steady everyday energy and, in Chinese herbal terms, to nourish the kidneys and liver. This guide covers what is in it, what each herb is traditionally used for, what research says, the benefits people look for (including for men and women), side effects, how to drink it — and how it compares with an eight treasure blend like ours.
Short on time? Our Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea has every herb in a typical five treasure tea, plus cistanche and Chinese raspberry. Shop Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea →
What is ginseng five treasure tea?
"Five treasure" (五宝) is a modern retail name rather than a formula from a classical text. Tea makers in China built it around ginseng and a handful of food-and-medicine herbs that have been paired with it for generations: sweet fruits for nourishment and a couple of tonic roots for depth. The result is a mild, slightly sweet tea meant to be drunk every day.
Because the name describes a style, recipes vary. Most brands use ginseng plus the five ingredients below; some swap in Chinese yam, add astragalus, or include extra fruits. Always check the ingredient list on the box.
What is in ginseng five treasure tea?
| Ingredient | Chinese name | Traditional role |
|---|---|---|
| Ginseng (Panax ginseng) | Rén Shēn 人参 | The lead tonic: replenishes qi and supports energy and stress resilience |
| Goji berry | Gǒu Qǐ 枸杞 | Nourishes the kidneys and liver and brightens the eyes |
| Red date (jujube) | Dà Zǎo 大枣 | Tonifies qi and blood, harmonizes the blend and adds natural sweetness |
| Mulberry fruit | Sāng Shèn 桑椹 | The classic fruit for nourishing yin and blood |
| Maca (Lepidium meyenii) | Mǎ Kǎ 玛咖 | A Peruvian root adopted into modern Chinese men's blends for stamina and vitality |
| Polygonatum (huang jing) | Huáng Jīng 黄精 | One of the rare roots that tonifies both qi and yin; steamed and sun-dried nine times |
Together these make a classic "tonify qi, nourish yin" combination: ginseng and maca bring warmth and drive, while goji, mulberry, red date and polygonatum add gentle, moistening nourishment so the blend is not too heating for daily use.
Ginseng five treasure tea vs our Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea
If you are comparing the two, the short version is: our Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea contains all six herbs of a typical five treasure tea, plus two more — cistanche and Chinese raspberry.
| Typical ginseng five treasure tea | LunarSip Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Ginseng, goji, red date, mulberry, maca, polygonatum | Yes | Yes |
| Cistanche (ròu cōng róng, "desert ginseng") | No | Yes — a top-grade TCM root for kidney yang, essence and stamina |
| Chinese raspberry (fù pén zǐ) | No | Yes — an astringent berry used to hold kidney essence |
| Character | Lighter and sweeter | Deeper and more root-forward, with a tart berry note |
| Caffeine | None | None |
| Format | Varies by brand | 15 pyramid bags × 10 g of whole herbs, no added sweeteners |
Why add cistanche and Chinese raspberry? In Chinese herbal practice, the five treasure herbs lean towards replenishing energy and yin. Cistanche adds a slow, warming yang tonic that is traditionally used over weeks for stamina, and Chinese raspberry adds an astringent "holding" action for kidney essence. The aim is a more complete qi–yin–yang balance in one cup. Cistanche is also one of the more expensive herbs in this family, which is one reason many budget blends leave it out.
Which should you choose? If you want the simplest, sweetest version, a five treasure tea is a gentle place to start. If you want the same core plus a deeper root-based formula, the eight treasure version gives you everything in five treasure and more. For a full ingredient-by-ingredient guide, see What Is Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea?, and for the ten-herb version see Ginseng Ten Treasure Tea.
LunarSip Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea
All six five-treasure herbs plus cistanche and Chinese raspberry, as whole herbs in 15 pyramid bags. Caffeine-free, no added sweeteners. $34, or $27.20 with Subscribe & Save.
Shop Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea →What are the benefits of ginseng five treasure tea?
No clinical trial has tested a five treasure blend as a finished tea, so the honest answer has two parts: how Chinese herbal tradition uses these herbs, and what research has found about the individual ingredients.
Traditional use
- Steady daily energy. Ginseng is the classic qi tonic, traditionally used when you feel run-down. Unlike coffee, it is taken consistently over weeks for a calm, sustained kind of vitality.
- Kidney and liver nourishment, in the TCM sense. Goji, mulberry and polygonatum are traditional yin tonics for the kidneys and liver. In Chinese medicine "kidney" describes a system linked to energy reserves, vitality and ageing — not the kidney organ in the Western medical sense.
- A gentle, drinkable tonic. Red date and goji make the tea naturally sweet, which is a big part of why it became a daily ritual rather than a bitter medicine.
What research says about the herbs
- Ginseng and fatigue. A systematic review of clinical and preclinical studies found that Panax ginseng and its compounds may help with fatigue (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020).
- Maca. A systematic review reported limited but encouraging evidence for maca and sexual function (BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2010), and a separate review looked at maca for menopausal symptoms (Maturitas, 2011).
- Goji. An evidence-based review summarizes goji's traditional uses and human data (Journal of Dietary Supplements, 2015), and another covers its pharmacology and safety (Planta Medica, 2010).
- Polygonatum. Its polysaccharides are the most studied compounds, with a wide range of activities described in laboratory research (Molecules, 2018).
- Mulberry and red date. Reviews describe the fruits' polyphenols, flavonoids and polysaccharides (mulberry, 2017; jujube, 2020).
Most of these studies use concentrated extracts or larger doses than one tea bag provides. They help explain why these herbs are traditionally paired, but they do not prove what a cup of tea will do for you.
Ginseng five treasure tea benefits for men
Five treasure teas are mostly marketed to men, and that comes from the herbs themselves: ginseng and maca are the two ingredients most associated with stamina and male vitality, and goji and polygonatum are classic kidney tonics in Chinese herbal practice. Men who want a fuller version of this idea often look for blends that also include cistanche — the traditional "desert ginseng" for kidney yang — which is the main difference between five treasure tea and our Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea.
Ginseng five treasure tea benefits for women
The same herbs are used by women too. Red date, goji and mulberry are traditional blood and yin tonics, often recommended in Chinese food therapy for women who feel tired or depleted, and maca has been studied in women around menopause. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not drink ginseng blends unless their healthcare provider approves.
Ginseng five treasure tea side effects
For most healthy adults these herbs are gentle, food-like ingredients. Still, ginseng and goji are not right for everyone:
- Medications. Ginseng and goji may interact with certain medications, including blood thinners such as warfarin, diabetes medication, blood pressure medication and hormone therapy. Talk to your doctor first if you take any of these.
- Blood pressure, heart and hormone-sensitive conditions. Ginseng-based blends are not recommended without medical guidance.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Not recommended unless your healthcare provider approves.
- Children. Tonic blends with ginseng, maca or polygonatum are not intended for anyone under 18.
- Surgery. Stop drinking ginseng teas two weeks before a scheduled operation.
- Feeling too "warm". These are warming tonics in Chinese herbal terms. If you notice restlessness, dry mouth or trouble sleeping, drink it earlier in the day, use less, or take a break.
How to drink ginseng five treasure tea
- Place one bag in a cup and add about 8 oz (237 ml) of water just off the boil, 195–205°F (90–96°C).
- Cover and steep for 3–5 minutes.
- Re-steep the same bag 1–2 more times; each cup will be lighter.
- For iced tea, brew as usual and pour over ice.
Best time to drink it: morning or early afternoon. Ginseng is gently energizing, so most people avoid it in the evening. One bag a day is the usual routine, taken consistently over several weeks rather than as a one-off.
How to choose a good ginseng treasure tea
- Every herb is named. Look for a full ingredient list, ideally with Chinese or Latin names.
- Whole herbs, not powder. You should be able to see slices of root, whole berries and dates through the bag.
- No added sugar or flavoring. Red date, goji and mulberry are sweet enough on their own.
- Clear safety information. Sellers who mention drug interactions and age limits are taking the herbs seriously.
- Realistic claims. Be wary of "kidney detox" or "cleanse" promises. These are tonic herbs for daily nourishment, not a treatment.
LunarSip Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea
Want to try a ginseng treasure tea made from named, whole herbs? Our eight-herb blend comes in 15 pyramid bags, caffeine-free. $34, or $27.20 with Subscribe & Save.
Shop now →FAQ
What does ginseng five treasure tea do for you?
It is traditionally used to support everyday energy and to nourish the kidneys and liver in the Chinese herbal sense. Research on its individual herbs — especially ginseng and fatigue — is encouraging, but the blend itself has not been clinically tested.
Is ginseng five treasure tea good for your kidneys?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, goji, mulberry, polygonatum and maca are classed as kidney tonics, but "kidney" there refers to a TCM system linked to energy and vitality, not the kidney organ. The tea is not a treatment for kidney conditions; if you have kidney disease, ask your doctor before drinking herbal teas.
Is ginseng five treasure tea caffeine-free?
Yes, as long as it contains only herbs and fruits. Check that the label does not list green, black or oolong tea.
What is the difference between five treasure and eight treasure tea?
A typical ginseng five treasure tea combines ginseng, goji, red date, mulberry, maca and polygonatum. Our Ginseng Eight Treasure Tea includes all of these plus cistanche and Chinese raspberry, for a deeper, more root-forward blend.
Can I drink it every day?
One bag a day is the usual routine for healthy adults. If you take medication or have a health condition, check with your doctor first.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before adding herbal teas to your routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.
— By the LunarSip team
0 comments