No matter what kind of tea you drink,
it should be appropriate for the occasion, time, and person.
Drinking the right type of tea
can maximize its effects
and provide excellent health benefits.
Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes that
people have different constitutions, being either hot or cold in nature.
Teas, after undergoing various processing methods,
also have cool and warm properties.
Therefore, it is important to consider one's constitution when choosing a tea to drink.
A chart showing the properties of the six types of tea.
What is your constitution? Which type of tea suits you best?
A table matching the nine constitutions with the six types of tea.
Cool green tea
Dragon Well from West Lake, Anji White Tea, Biluochun from Dongting, Lu'an Guapian, etc.
Suitable for those with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, and abundant energy. Drinking this tea on a hot day or when feeling agitated provides a refreshing and cooling sensation. Green tea has good radiation protection effects, making it very suitable for people who work frequently on computers.
Contraindications: People with liver disease should avoid drinking green tea, as caffeine is metabolized by the liver, and excessive tea consumption can damage liver function. Pregnant women, those with a cold stomach, and post-surgery patients should not drink green tea.
Cool Yellow Tea
Yinzhen from Junshan Island, Baimudan from Mengding, Huoshan Yellow Bud, etc.
The effects are similar to those of green tea, but the taste differs, with green tea being refreshing and yellow tea having a richer flavor.
Contraindications: Yellow tea is a lightly fermented tea with a production method similar to green tea, containing large amounts of theophylline and catechins, which can stimulate stomach activity. Therefore, those with stomach discomfort should not drink it. Additionally, yellow tea contains tannic acid, which can affect iron absorption, so pregnant women should not drink yellow tea.
Cool white tea
Silver Needle, Shoumei, Bai Mudan, etc.
The suitable population is similar to that of green tea, but while “aged green tea is like grass, aged white tea is like treasure,” aged white tea has the effect of dispelling evil and promoting health.
Contraindications: For those with a “hot” stomach, moderate consumption on an empty stomach is acceptable. Generally, 5 grams per day is sufficient, and elderly people should consume even less.
Moderate oolong tea (also known as green tea)
Dahongpao, Wuyi Shuixian, Phoenix Dancong, etc.
Suitable for the widest range of people. Some fine oolong teas, especially those well-aged, may develop pleasant fruity acids. According to traditional Chinese medicine, acids enter the liver meridian and thus have the effect of regulating the liver, but those with stomach and spleen ailments should not drink too much.
Contraindications: Avoid drinking oolong tea on an empty stomach, as it can lead to tea intoxication, causing symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, weakness in the hands and feet, etc. Also, avoid drinking oolong tea before bed, as it can make it difficult to fall asleep.
Warm Black Tea
Zhengshan Xiaozhong, Jinjun Mei, Keemun Black Tea, Yunnan Black Tea, etc.
Suitable for those with a cold stomach, cold hands and feet, weak constitution, and older age. Adding milk and honey improves the taste.
Contraindications: Patients with kidney stones should avoid drinking black tea. Those with anemia or insomnia should not drink black tea, as it can worsen insomnia. Women during Menstruation, pregnancy, or breastfeeding should not drink black tea.
Warm dark tea
Anhua Dark Tea, Guangxi Liubao Tea, etc.
Helps eliminate greasy foods, detoxify meat, and lower cholesterol. It is suitable for those with a dark complexion lacking luster, sore throat, decreased appetite, diarrhea, coldness in the back and feet, low back pain, and decreased vitality.
Contraindications: People with severe atherosclerosis and unstable hypertension should not drink strong dark tea when their condition is unstable. Anemic patients and those with hypoglycemia should not drink dark tea.
Choosing the right tea according to one's constitution maximizes the benefits of tea drinking. Knowing how to drink tea truly allows one to appreciate its goodness!
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