Tea Benefits

White tea is known as a one-year tea, a three-year treasure, and a seven-year elixir—the older it gets, the better it becomes. It's not that time takes its toll on our appearance, but rather that we don't drink enough aged white tea. It's especially beneficial for those who often stay up late, have high liver heat leading to acne, bad breath, and irritability. Cooking or steeping a pot of aged white tea each day can be both comfortable and health-promoting. The Benefits of Drinking White Tea White tea is one of China’s traditional famous teas and belongs to the category of minimally processed teas. After harvesting, white tea is neither pan-fried nor rolled; instead, it is sun-dried or gently dried over low heat. Its appearance features intact buds covered in fine downy hairs. The infusion has a clear yellow-green color and a mild, sweet aftertaste. 1. Regulates Blood Sugar: White tea is rich in essential active enzymes. Long-term consumption can increase the activity of lipase in the body, accelerating the breakdown and metabolism of fats. It can also effectively control insulin secretion, reduce sugar absorption, and promote the excretion of excess sugars, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and maintain…

Basic Introduction to Puer Tea from YunnanPuer tea from Yunnan is produced from the unique large-leaf tea trees of Yunnan, and it is among Chinese famous teas that most emphasizes brewing techniques and the art of drinking. Its methods of consumption are exceptionally diverse; it can be drunk plain or mixed. Plain drinking refers to brewing without adding any additional ingredients, a practice more common among Han Chinese. Mixed drinking involves adding one's preferred ingredients to the tea, a practice more prevalent in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Durability in brewing is an advantage of Puer tea; when brewed with a lidded bowl or a purple clay pot, aged Puer tea can be infused over 20 times, with its flavor and color gradually diminishing with each infusion. Nutritional ValueSpring Tea Drinking for HealthIn spring, when the body is in a state of release, one may choose Puer tea with a certain degree of natural fermentation or a blend of raw and ripe Puer tea. Such tea has both warmth and vitality, which helps dissipate the cold accumulated in the body during winter, promoting the generation of yang energy, invigorating the spirit, alleviating spring fatigue, and enhancing resistance to disease.Summer Tea Drinking…

Drinking tea in the evening generally isn't harmful if consumed at a suitable time and in moderate concentration. Although tea contains caffeine, it also includes amino acids that can calm emotions and aromatic compounds that can mitigate some of the effects of caffeine. As a result, drinking a small amount of tea before bed may help soothe your mood, stabilize your emotions, and even promote sleep. However, it's best not to drink tea too late in the evening. Is Drinking Tea at Night Harmful to Your Health? The potential harm of drinking tea at night largely depends on the quantity consumed and the timing. If you drink tea in moderation and at an appropriate time in the evening, it is generally harmless and can provide nutritional benefits. However, drinking excessive amounts of tea or having tea right before bedtime might lead to disrupted sleep and gastrointestinal discomfort. No Harm: In moderate quantities, drinking tea after dinner can supply your body with nutrients such as polyphenols, vitamins, and water. The fresh taste of tea means that drinking it in the evening typically won't be harmful. Harm: 1. Affecting Sleep: Since tea contains caffeine and other stimulants, drinking large amounts of tea…

What is High Uric Acid? High uric acid is a common health issue often associated with dietary habits and lifestyle. Uric acid is a substance produced during the body's metabolic processes, and when its concentration is too high, it can lead to conditions such as gout. What is Plantain? Plantain, also known as Prunella vulgaris, is a common wild grass found in fields and meadows. Its leaves are flat with serrated edges, and when it flowers, it has slender spikes, giving it an overall fresh appearance. How Does Plantain Help Lower Uric Acid? Plantain, due to its rich content of various active components, is believed to be helpful in lowering uric acid levels. Specifically, the natural compounds it contains can promote the excretion of uric acid, thereby reducing its accumulation in the body. How to Make Plantain Tea? 1. Prepare fresh plantain leaves, ideally harvested in the morning when they contain the most nutrients. (Image source: network, delete upon request) 2. Wash the plantain leaves and dry them either by air-drying or using paper towels to absorb excess moisture. 3. Place an appropriate amount of plantain leaves in a teapot; about 10 grams per serving is recommended. 4. Heat water…

Aside from being a familiar beverage, tea also has a unique background in Traditional Chinese Medicine. What differences emerge when we view tea through the lens of TCM? 1. Tea as Chinese Medicine In ancient times, tea was used as medicine and recorded in medical texts. The Shennong Ben Cao Jing records that “Shennong tasted a hundred herbs and encountered seventy-two poisons in a single day, finding relief in tea.” This suggests that the origin of tea was medicinal. During the Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties when the custom of drinking tea began to form, the techniques for processing tea were not rudimentary or primitive, reflecting the development of tea processing before it became a beverage of choice. This development occurred within the realm of medicine. From the time tea became a beverage of choice, while preserving its biological characteristics, the goal of tea processing shifted towards making it more delicious and palatable. Although conceptually distinct from medicine, there was no fundamental change in the technical aspects of processing tea. From the perspective of Chinese pharmaceutical processing, the objectives of tea processing and medicine preparation are entirely consistent: both aim to extract active ingredients effectively, improve their efficacy,…

The Start of Winter signifies the beginning of a period where all things enter a state of rest and storage. Plants wither, insects hibernate, and the activities of all things tend towards cessation. Before the courtyard, winter snow inspires poetry; around the hearth, so do wine and tea. Though the weather is cold, we are fortunate to have warm tea to nourish our bodies and provide solace. Living between heaven and earth, humans must strive for balance between yin and yang. An excess of yang brings heat, and one's diet should then include more yin-natured foods to balance the internal yin and yang. An excess of yin brings coldness, requiring the intake of yang-natured foods for the same purpose of achieving balance. This is also the rationale behind "eating warming tonics in autumn and winter." The demand for tea or the regulatory effect of tea on the body is, in essence, a manifestation of human respect for and adherence to nature. Therefore, it is crucial that we follow natural laws, adjust our habits according to seasonal changes, and drink tea scientifically in different seasons. Tea Should Be Warm-Natured in Autumn and Winter Due to global warming, the distinct characteristics of…

Possibly the only Oolong tea that is still processed the old fashioned way, Chinese tea Fenghuang Dancong bushes are growing between 500 to 1400 meters above sea level on the SE mountains slopes of Fenghuang (Phoenix) Mountain in Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China. Fenghuang Dancong’s production is very limited due to the tea trees’ unique geographical preferences. Local people discovered Dancong tea trees in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279) and started to farm it. As the tip of the leaves resembles the shape of bird beak, it is also called "bird beak tea". The special feature of Dancong tea of China lies in the flavors of tea. According to Wikipedia, "The doppelganger of teas, Dancong teas are noted for their ability to naturally imitate the flavors and fragrances of various flowers and fruits, such as orange blossom, orchid, grapefruit, almond, ginger flower, etc."China Dancong tea’s special functions includes (in addition to the functions of general tea): Reducing the free radicals in the body thus reducing chances of cancer; Lowering cholesterol and fatty tissue levels; Slowing the aging process; A Dancong tea dealer once told us that Dancong from old tea trees could dissolve the meat and rice overnight. We did try…

Anhua black tea possesses a variety of biological activities, including regulating metabolism, tonifying the stomach and intestines, modulating gut flora, and enhancing immunity. It can also strengthen capillary resilience and prevent metabolic syndrome. The development of products derived from Anhua black tea in sectors such as beverages, functional foods, and daily chemical goods has become a critical breakthrough for industrial upgrading and development. Through deep processing steps like extraction, filtration, concentration, separation, purification, and drying, using Anhua black tea as the raw material, we obtain products such as concentrated black tea essence, instant black tea, and extracts of black tea functional components. I. Development of Anhua Black Tea Beverages 1. Liquid Anhua Black Tea Beverage In 2019, Hangzhou Wahaha Group launched its summer novelty product "Anhua Black Tea," which uses premium golden flower Fu brick tea as the raw material. This is a natural, additive-free, zero-calorie, sugar-free healthy tea drink that is easy to carry. Bingweis is a functional black tea beverage developed from Anhua black tea, preserving the taste and flavor of black tea while focusing on radiation resistance. It comes in original and flavored varieties to cater to different consumer preferences. Hangzhou Wahaha Group's "Anhua Black Tea" 2.…

"An ounce of tangerine peel is worth an ounce of gold." Many people recognize tangerine peel for its excellent properties in regulating qi and strengthening the spleen.However, did you know that tangerine peel can also moisten the lungs and dissolve phlegm? Tangerine Peel Has Many Benefits Tangerine peel is the dried mature peel of the fruit of Citrus reticulata and its cultivated varieties. It has a pungent, bitter, and warm nature and targets the spleen and lung meridians. It is effective in promoting the movement of qi to relieve fullness, drying dampness and transforming phlegm, as well as strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the middle. Tangerine peel is a prime example of a food and herb that can be used together. The Song Dynasty's "Medical Narratives" states: "Tangerine peel broadens the diaphragm and descends qi, eliminates phlegm and expels cold, with remarkable effects. Most herbs are more valuable when fresh, but this one is better when aged, and those from Dongting Lake are the best." For conditions such as poor appetite, nausea, abdominal distension, and constipation caused by stagnation of spleen qi, tangerine peel can be incorporated into meals. In treating coughs with cold or damp phlegm, tangerine peel also…

Black tea, a fully fermented tea, is made from new shoots and leaves of suitable tea trees. It undergoes processes such as withering, rolling (cutting), fermentation, and drying. Withering is an important process in the initial production of black tea, which is called "wu tea" at this stage. The name "black tea" comes from the red color of the brewed tea and the infused leaves. Black tea can help digestion, stimulate appetite, promote diuresis, reduce edema, and strengthen heart function. It contains flavonoids that eliminate free radicals and have antioxidant properties, reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. According to traditional Chinese medicine, teas vary in their thermal nature; for example, green tea is cold and bitter, suitable for summer consumption (depending on individual constitution) to relieve heat. Black tea and Pu'er tea are warmer and more suitable for winter drinking. What Are the Benefits of Drinking Black Tea Long-Term? 1. Warming the Stomach and Dispelling Cold: Because black tea tends to be warm in nature, it can benefit those experiencing cold pain, poor appetite, indigestion, abdominal pain, or bloating due to a cold stomach by warming the stomach and dispelling cold; 2. Refreshing and Energizing: The polyphenols in black tea…

Drinking green tea does not cause heatiness. As a non-fermented tea, green tea has a slightly cool nature. It is rich in caffeine and catechins, which can accelerate bodily excretion and promote metabolism. These substances also help to alleviate heatiness and reduce dryness. Moderate consumption of green tea will not only prevent heatiness but also replenish the body's moisture and provide a cooling effect to relieve summer heat. Benefits of Drinking Green Tea First, green tea has excellent properties for refreshing the mind and alleviating fatigue due to the presence of caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system, enhancing mental alertness and focus. Second, the caffeine in green tea can aid digestion by stimulating gastric juice secretion, thus helping with digestion. Third, green tea contains catechins, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health and have a strengthening effect on the heart. Fourth, green tea helps protect teeth. The rinsing action of tea water is effective, and the fluoride in tea can help prevent tooth decay and promote dental health. Fifth, green tea contains polysaccharides that possess anti-aging properties and can help protect against radiation. Consuming green tea does not lead to heatiness. Green tea possesses numerous benefits, including refreshing the mind,…

Buckwheat tea is made from buckwheat, also known as polygonum, black wheat, or variegated buckwheat, which is cold in nature and bitter in taste. It primarily contains bioflavonoids, various vitamins, 18 amino acids, crude protein, chlorophyll, as well as selenium, zinc, magnesium, chromium, calcium, and other minerals and trace elements. It has the effects of invigorating energy, revitalizing the spirit, benefiting vision and hearing, lowering qi to relieve a full stomach and strengthen the stomach, and can help reduce blood pressure, lipids, and blood sugar levels. The main benefits of buckwheat tea include reducing blood sugar, lipids, and blood pressure, aiding digestion, cooling the blood and reducing swelling, antioxidation, and beautifying the skin. 1. Buckwheat contains a special flavonoid called rutin, which makes up about 80% of the flavonoids. Rutin can soften blood vessels, maintain normal permeability and fragility of vessel walls, promote wound healing, reduce inflammation, combat allergies, suppress coughing, relieve asthma, and lower lipid levels. 2. Vitamin E in buckwheat has strong antioxidant properties, which can eliminate free radicals, activate macrophages, remove pigmentation from the skin, and enhance the body's immune function. 3. The dietary fiber in buckwheat can promote the excretion of toxic substances and help lower…

The benefits of dark tea Dark tea is one of the six major types of tea and is a fully fermented tea. When consumed in moderation by healthy individuals, it can help protect blood vessels, regulate blood sugar levels, promote digestion, and alleviate greasy feelings. 1. Protects Blood Vessels: High levels of lipids in the body can cause lipid deposition on the walls of blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Dark tea has certain effects in degrading fat, inhibiting blood coagulation, and promoting the dissolution of fibrinogen. It helps inhibit or reduce the possibility of platelet aggregation. This allows the blood vessel walls to relax, maintaining normal blood flow, which helps to regulate blood pressure, lipids, and soften blood vessels. 2. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels: Dark tea contains higher levels of tea polysaccharides, which are more active than those found in other types of tea. Therefore, dark tea can help promote carbohydrate metabolism, aiding in the regulation of blood sugar levels. 3. Promotes Digestion and Relieves Greasiness: Dark tea contains certain amounts of theobromine, tea polyphenols, vitamins, amino acids, and phospholipids, which can help regulate fat metabolism, offering some positive assistance for weight loss and making it suitable for…

Tea contains a large amount of polyphenols, which can combine with many drugs to form precipitates, hindering the absorption of the drugs and thus affecting their efficacy. As the saying goes: "Tea water neutralizes medicine," so never take medicine with tea water, or it will be in vain. Why not take medicine with tea? Taking medicine with tea water can reduce its effectiveness and react with the drug to produce harmful substances. Tea contains a large amount of tannic acid, which can react with alkaloids, the active ingredients in drugs, forming insoluble substances. This can not only reduce the effectiveness of the drug but also easily lead to conditions such as gallstones and kidney stones. Tea contains caffeine, theophylline, and other components that can stimulate the central nervous system; taking sedatives or hypnotics with tea water can inhibit the drug's effectiveness. Note that you should not drink tea for two hours after taking medicine. After seeing a doctor, the physician will advise patients not to take medicines with tea water. This is mainly because tea contains components such as polyphenols, tannins, caffeine, cocoa alkaloids, and theophylline, which can easily chemically react with the chemical components in the drugs, thereby affecting…

Basic Introduction to Tieguanyin of Anxi Tieguanyin was invented by Han Chinese tea farmers in Anxi, Fujian Province between 1725 and 1735. It originated from Yaoyang Mountain in Xiping Town, Anxi County (as per the Wang account). It belongs to the oolong tea category and is one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas, representing oolong teas. It is midway between green tea and black tea. The pure Tieguanyin plant is a shrub type with a sprawling growth habit, oblique branches, and leaves that are horizontally positioned. As a semi-fermented tea, it possesses the general health benefits of tea and was presented as the top of the Top Ten Famous Teas at the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. Nutritional Value The organic chemical components in Tieguanyin, such as tea polyphenols, catechins, and various amino acids, are significantly higher than those in other types of tea. The inorganic mineral elements include abundant potassium, calcium, magnesium, cobalt, iron, manganese, aluminum, sodium, zinc, copper, nitrogen, phosphorus, fluorine, iodine, and selenium. The inorganic mineral elements in Tieguanyin, such as manganese, iron, fluoride, potassium, and sodium, are higher than those in other types of tea. Product Characteristics Appearance: robust, round, resembling the head of a dragonfly,…

Xinhui citrus peel, with its spicy, sweet, and warm properties, is a high-quality product that can invigorate the spleen and stomach, relieve nausea, stimulate appetite, and eliminate dampness and phlegm. It's a traditional ingredient that's both medicinal and culinary, perfect for home use. While commonly consumed as a tea, it can also be used in cooking and soups, but perhaps most effectively in health-promoting porridges. This article presents five recipes using Xinhui citrus peel in porridge along with their benefits, for the benefit of our fellow tea enthusiasts. Making porridge is simple, but choosing the right citrus peel is key. 1. Appetite-Boosting and Digestive Ma Bao Porridge 2. Herbal Citrus Peel and Amomum Villosum Porridge Ingredients: 5 grams of citrus peel, 5 grams of amomum villosum, 3-4 slices of ginger, 50 grams of lean meat, and 50 grams of Northeastern rice (for 1-2 servings, adjust according to number of people). Preparation: Wash the citrus peel, amomum villosum, and rice. Cut the lean meat into thin strips. Place the citrus peel, ginger, and rice in a pot, add 1 liter of water, and cook until the porridge is done. Add the lean meat and cook for another 10 minutes. Finally, add…

Tea contains various nutrients as well as caffeine, which has stimulating, diuretic, cardiostimulatory, muscle relaxation, and digestive aid effects. Drinking tea is an important part of many people's daily lives, but many may not be aware of the details and precautions involved. Here are ten key points to note when drinking tea, hoping to provide you with some assistance. A Few Taboos to Note When Drinking Tea 1. Avoid drinking moldy tea Does it even need saying if it’s already moldy? Moldy tea contains multiple mycotoxins that could seriously affect the functions of your internal organs, posing a significant risk to your health. Many tea enthusiasts, who have stored their aged Banzhang for years, find themselves in a dilemma when it goes moldy, feeling heartbroken over losing both the tea and the money. Some still drink it, leading to stomach troubles. Therefore, no matter how good or expensive the tea is, once it becomes moldy, it should be discarded; it’s not worth risking your health. 2. Avoid drinking tea left steeped for too long No type of tea should be left steeping in water for an extended period. Steeping for too long results in excessively concentrated tea, and substances that…