Materia medica

White tea actually cools the body. It is a minimally processed type of tea. White tea's nature is inherently cool, and during its production, it is merely sun-dried or gently dried over low heat without undergoing any other processes like steaming or rolling. Therefore, its inherent properties remain intact, making it particularly effective for reducing fever and cooling the body. If you experience symptoms such as swollen gums or canker sores due to heatiness, drinking some white tea may help alleviate these issues. Does White Tea Cool the Body or Cause Heatiness? In the "Compendium of Materia Medica," Li Shizhen recorded that "white tea is cool in nature, similar to rhino horn." Traditional Chinese medicine has proven that white tea has a slightly warm, yet cool nature, and is effective for reducing fever, cooling the body, and eliminating dampness and toxins. For a long time, in white tea-producing areas like Fuding, a concoction of white tea and rock sugar has been used to cool the body, relieve dryness, treat toothaches, constipation, and discomfort from being out of one's element. Aged white tea is even used to treat illnesses like measles and fevers in children. Moreover, drinking white tea can alleviate…

"I would rather abstain from alcohol all my life than go a single meal without tea." China’s tea culture has a long and rich history, and drinking tea has always been an essential part of maintaining health. However, there is a right way to drink tea. If you don't do it correctly, you may end up harming your stomach. The Tea Editor will now list some harmful tea-drinking habits that can severely damage your stomach. Let's see if you fall into any of these categories? 1 Habit of Drinking Tea on an Empty Stomach Stomach-Damage Rating: ★★★★★ Drinking tea on an empty stomach is one of the most damaging tea-drinking habits! On an empty stomach, some active compounds in tea can bind with proteins in the stomach, stimulating it and easily causing harm. In addition to stimulating the stomach and intestines, drinking tea on an empty stomach dilutes digestive juices, affecting digestion. Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, weakness in the limbs, mental confusion, and nausea. For those who do not regularly drink tea, especially when drinking strong tea on an empty stomach in the morning, these symptoms are more likely to occur. This phenomenon is medically referred to as "tea…

Ten thousand jasmine blossoms for the tea bud, a thousand fragrances in one sip. Jasmine is a cultural calling card of China. "What a beautiful jasmine flower," this well-known folk song is almost universally known across China. China is abundant with jasmine flowers, but do you know which jasmine tea represents "China's National Tea"? In 1983, a national tea competition in Jinhua catapulted the small city of Hengzhou, Guangxi, to become the world's production center for jasmine flowers. Hengzhou's jasmine tea has a history of over a hundred years of cultivation. The jasmine here is large and plump with a rich fragrance, and over 80% of China's jasmine flowers come from this region. Today, we bring you the Jasmine Snowball, an intangible cultural heritage from Hengzhou, Guangxi, passed down through generations. Compared to ordinary jasmine flowers, the Jasmine Snowball is purer with a more intense floral aroma. As the capital of the world's jasmine flowers, Hengzhou enjoys both geographical and climatic advantages. Hengzhou jasmine has four main characteristics: Rich fragrance: Good sunlight conditions are conducive to the accumulation of aromatic substances in the jasmine flowers. Large buds: The buds of double-petal jasmine are generally quite large. Long-lasting fragrance: The jasmine…

Litchi, also known as lychee, is loved for its sweet and fragrant flesh. The entire fruit is a treasure trove of medicinal value. For instance, litchi seeds can help regulate qi flow, dispel cold and stagnation, and relieve pain. Litchi shells are known to alleviate heatiness in the body to some extent. A lady's laughter through a cloud of red dust; none would know it was due to litchis coming—Du Mu, "Passing by Huaqing Palace (Three Quatrains, First)" Eat three hundred litchis daily, I would not mind being a southerner forever—Su Shi, "Eating Litchis" In May in the south, litchis are as red as cinnabar, each one round like a dragon's pearl—Liu Zuman, "Litchi" Many tea enthusiasts also love litchis but may wonder which teas pair well with them. In fact, litchis have a strong compatibility and can be paired with many foods, producing unique effects. With tea, you can try pairing litchis with black, white, or green tea—all of which work well. Here are the benefits of combining litchis with tea: Litchi Black Tea—Beauty and Detoxification Litchis contain vitamins A, B1, and C, as well as pectin, free amino acids, proteins, and elements such as iron, phosphorus, and calcium.…

China is the birthplace of tea, and the habit of drinking tea among its people dates back thousands of years, with virtually every household keeping a selection of teas on hand. Tea, one of the most popular daily beverages, serves more than just to quench thirst. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that tea is rich in various medicinal components, such as tea polyphenols, tea polysaccharides, alkaloids, vitamins, and so forth, which offer excellent health benefits to the human body. This is especially true for those suffering from the three highs (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar) and cardiovascular diseases, who can experience surprising benefits from long-term tea consumption. Drinking More Tea Helps Control the Three Highs and Protects Blood Vessels 1. Catechins Can Help Lower Blood Pressure The American College of Cardiology compiled 21 valid studies involving 1,323 participants and found that compared to non-tea drinkers, tea drinkers had an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 1.8 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure reduction of 1.4 mmHg. The blood pressure-lowering effects were even more pronounced after 12 weeks of tea consumption. The secret lies in the antioxidant catechins contained within tea, which open protein channels on the membranes…

Those with poor digestion can drink Pu'er tea, but they should not consume too much and should avoid drinking it on an empty stomach. Pu'er tea is a fermented tea, and since the leaves undergo fermentation, the cold components are improved. This type of tea has the effect of nourishing and protecting the stomach, as well as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Drinking small amounts can help improve spleen and stomach deficiency without stimulating the stomach lining. People with poor digestion who drink Pu'er tea should primarily opt for mild teas and only consume small quantities at a time. Pu'er tea contains a high amount of polyphenols and caffeine, which can stimulate the intestinal wall mucosa and cause discomfort in the stomach if consumed excessively. What Kind of Pu'er Tea Should You Drink with Poor Digestion? Those with poor digestion can drink Pu'er tea, but it depends on the type. It's best to avoid raw Pu'er tea; instead, patients with digestive issues are generally advised to drink ripe Pu'er tea. Ripe Pu'er tea is fermented and has a warm nature, which helps to nourish the stomach. In particular, aged ripe Pu'er tea has protective effects on the stomach. At the right…

Due to the pandemic, our lives have undergone many changes, yet one thing that remains constant is the daily hustle and bustle. As concerns seem endless, health has increasingly become a topic of common concern. With the rise of health-conscious consumption and continuous consumption upgrades, tea is becoming more popular due to its natural and healthy attributes. Comprehensive health encompasses both physical and mental well-being, and traditional tea contributes to both aspects under the current pandemic situation. 1. Tea and Health Preservation - "Tea Is a Remedy for All Ills" An increasing number of people are falling in love with drinking tea, as it is both a health-preserving and enjoyable activity. The idea that tea can preserve health is supported by historical accounts of the medicinal benefits of tea. In fact, tea was commonly known as a medicinal herb in ancient times. It is said that Shen Nong tasted hundreds of herbs and encountered seventy-two poisons in a single day, but he was able to detoxify himself with tea. This speaks to the remarkable detoxifying properties of tea. The great Tang Dynasty physician Chen Cangqi wrote in his book Supplement to the Materia Medica: “All other medicines are remedies for…

During spring, a person's liver qi tends to become excessively active, which can have adverse effects on the spleen and stomach. Spring is also the season when yang energy rises, making it a time when various pathogens and microorganisms thrive and reproduce. As such, diseases tend to be more prevalent during this period, making spring health preservation particularly important. Tea is described in "Compendium of Materia Medica" as: “Ming, bitter tea. Ming, bitter in taste, slightly cold, non-toxic. It is primarily used for acne, promotes urination, clears phlegm, and quenches thirst. It also helps with sleeplessness and is best harvested in autumn. Bitter tea is used to regulate qi, eliminate food residue from the previous day, and when made into a drink, it can include ingredients like mountain hawthorn, green onions, and ginger.” Here, tea is characterized by its nature and taste as “slightly cold” and “bitter.” According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, sweetness is considered nourishing, while bitterness has a purgative effect, so tea possesses both nourishing and purgative properties. Thus, there is the saying that “tea is a remedy for all illnesses.” Many historical records in China mention the benefits of Pu'er tea, suggesting that “Pu'er tea…