Herbal Tea for Health: Natural Remedies for Dry Weather Symptoms

With the arrival of dry weather, various symptoms of dryness also come along. What can we do? Why not try some herbal tea for health?

　　【White Mulberry Bark Tea for Hot Cough】

　　Many people experience hot cough and even nosebleeds during dry weather. To solve this problem, you can try a cup of white mulberry bark tea. Put a small handful of white mulberry bark in a water cup, pour hot water over it, and then cover the cup tightly. After 10 minutes, you can drink the tea.

　　According to medical records, white mulberry bark "treats injuries, exhaustion, extreme fatigue, emaciation, collapse, pulselessness, nourishes deficiency, and boosts qi." What does this mean? Injuries refer to damage to the body's vital energy; exhaustion refers to the fatigue of the five viscera due to excessive labor; extreme fatigue refers to the weakening of the qi in the six fu organs; emaciation refers to the lack of fullness and elasticity of the skin; pulselessness refers to the deficiency of qi and blood. These are common health problems among middle-aged and elderly people. Brewing white mulberry bark in water can not only moisturize the lungs but also make the skin fair, plump, and elastic.

　　【Yin Chaihu and Sha Shen Tea for Irritability and Heat】

　　I have a friend who recently felt heat in her palms and soles and was particularly irritable. Even in winter, she often felt that her palms and soles were hot, and she had to stretch them outside the covers to feel comfortable. In addition, she said her skin was drier than usual. Her hair also seemed dehydrated, shedding a layer every time she combed it.

　　In Chinese medicine, this is called "irritability and heat." So I asked her to prepare 15g Yin Chaihu, 20g Sha Shen, and instructed her to chew 10g of Sha Shen after getting up in the morning, and then brew the rest of the herbs with hot water to make tea, which she could drink several times a day. After drinking it for about 10 days, her palms and soles were no longer hot, she felt less irritable, and her skin was no longer dry.

　　You may have heard of Chaihu (Bupleurum), but Yin Chaihu is not well-known. Although the two herbs only differ by one character, their effects are quite different. Chaihu mainly functions to clear heat and relieve inflammation, and it is often used for external wind-cold conditions, such as colds. Yin Chaihu mainly functions to clear deficient heat and is effective for treating yin deficiency and excessive heat.

　　【Dizziness and Blurred Vision? Try Sour Jujube Kernel and White Chrysanthemum Tea】

　　Have you ever experienced a rapid heartbeat and dizziness when you suddenly stand up after sitting for a long time? It can be unbearable, and you may even experience blackouts and dizziness. If you have encountered these symptoms and they persist, you should pay attention.

　　According to Chinese medicine, sitting for a long time can damage the blood. When sitting still, blood circulation slows down, leading to insufficient blood supply to the brain, and the function of the heart weakens. Moreover, sitting in front of a computer or playing mahjong for a long time can also damage yin and consume blood. Here, I recommend a blood-nourishing and refreshing tea. If you are going to sit for a long time, you can brew a cup beforehand. The specific preparation method is as follows: take 10g of sour jujube kernel and 3g of white chrysanthemum, add hot water, cover the cup, and let it steep for 30-45 minutes. Sour jujube kernel enters the heart, spleen, and liver meridians. The heart governs blood and has a calming effect. It can help replenish the blood. White chrysanthemum clears the mind, nourishes the liver, and improves vision.