Choosing the Right Tea for a Healthy Summer: A Guide to Beneficial Herbal Teas

Tomorrow will be the beginning of summer, which is the first solar term of summer. It is important to take good care of our health during this time of seasonal transition. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, different types of tea have different effects on the body and can be used for health maintenance. When it comes to choosing tea for health in the summer, what should we drink? Let's take a look at several types of tea that are most suitable for summer.

1. Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum, especially the large white chrysanthemum or small white chrysanthemum grown in the Suzhou and Hangzhou regions, is not bitter in taste. Brew about 3 grams of chrysanthemum tea each time and drink it three times a day. It can also be brewed with chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, and licorice for a tea that has the special effects of calming the liver, improving eyesight, clearing heat, and detoxifying. It has significant therapeutic effects on patients with hypertension and arteriosclerosis.

2. Fo-Ti Root Tea

Fo-Ti root has the effect of reducing blood lipid levels and preventing blood clot formation. Regular consumption of Fo-Ti root tea has significant effects on lowering blood lipid levels. To make the tea, take 20-30 grams of Fo-Ti root, boil it in water for 30 minutes, let it cool down, and drink it as tea once a day.

3. Kudzu Root Tea

Kudzu root helps improve blood circulation in the brain and has the effect of relieving symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, and back pain caused by hypertension. Wash and slice about 30 grams of kudzu root, boil it in water, and drink it as tea to treat hypertension.

4. Lily Flower Tea

Lily flowers are rich in protein, sugar, phosphorus, iron, and various trace elements, and have high medicinal and edible value. When brewing the tea, take 2-3 grams of lily flowers each time and steep them in boiling water for about 10 minutes. The tea will have a golden color and a slightly sweet taste. It can help relieve internal heat and cool and moisten the lungs, making it the best summer drink for relieving heat.

5. Lotus Leaf Tea

The infusion and decoction of lotus leaf have the effects of dilating blood vessels, clearing heat, reducing fever, and lowering blood pressure. Moreover, lotus leaf is also a good medicine for weight loss. To treat hypertension, take half of a fresh lotus leaf, wash and cut it into small pieces, boil it in water, and let it cool down before drinking it as tea.

6. Hawthorn Tea

The components in hawthorn can aid digestion, dilate blood vessels, lower blood sugar, and reduce blood pressure. Regular consumption of hawthorn tea can have a significant auxiliary effect in treating hypertension. To make the tea, steep 1-2 fresh and tender hawthorn fruits in hot water several times a day.