Choosing the Right Tea: A Traditional Approach to Health and Wellness

Different teas have different "characters": black tea is warm and nourishing, green tea is cool and can clear heat, oolong tea can moisten the throat and generate body fluids, and flower tea can nourish the liver and promote gallbladder function. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, drinking tea also has the effect of preventing and treating diseases, but different teas have different "indications", and everyone should choose the suitable variety according to their own needs.

Oolong Tea for Dry Mouth and Throat

Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea, between green and black tea, with a green-brown color, hence the name "green tea". In terms of taste, oolong tea has the fragrance of green tea and natural floral aroma, as well as the mellow taste of black tea. It is neither cold nor hot, but warm and moderate. Therefore, it has the functions of moisturizing the skin, moistening the throat, generating body fluids, and clearing internal heat, which can help the body adapt to changes in the natural environment. In winter, indoor air is dry, and people are prone to dry mouth, dry lips. At this time, brewing a cup of oolong tea can relieve the discomfort of dryness. In addition, oolong tea has a good effect on the decomposition of proteins and fats, and can prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver.

Flower Tea for Depression

Flower tea includes jasmine tea, magnolia tea, osmanthus tea, rose tea, etc., which are made by adding different flowers to green tea. Generally speaking, flower tea can nourish the liver, promote gallbladder function, invigorate the limbs, and promote blood circulation. For example, jasmine tea can clear heat, invigorate the spleen, and calm the mind, and has a good effect in treating dysentery and preventing stomach pain. Honeysuckle tea can clear heat, detoxify, refresh the mind, quench thirst, and has ideal effects in relieving sore throat, making it also effective in preventing influenza. Especially for women who are prone to depression and irritability during menopause and before and after menstruation, drinking flower tea can help alleviate their mood.

Green Tea for Excessive Internal Heat

In winter, the dry climate, combined with people's preference for greasy and spicy food, often leads to excessive internal heat. This can cause constipation, dry mouth, and even mouth ulcers. At this time, green tea can be helpful. Green tea is an unfermented tea, cool in nature, and can clear heat. It is the most effective in reducing internal heat, generating body fluids, aiding digestion, and phlegm elimination. It also has the functions of accelerating the healing of mild gastritis and reducing blood lipids, preventing arteriosclerosis. Therefore, it is more suitable for those who are prone to excessive internal heat, those who smoke and drink often, and those who are overweight. However, people with weak stomachs should not consume green tea.

Black Tea for Preventing Influenza

Black tea is the preferred tea to drink in winter. It is warm and nourishing, and can nourish the body's yang energy. Black tea contains abundant proteins and sugars, which can generate heat, warm the abdomen, enhance the body's resistance to cold, aid digestion, and reduce greasiness. Research has found that black tea can reduce the incidence of stroke and heart disease, which are common diseases in winter. Therefore, elderly people with cardiovascular diseases can often brew a warm cup of black tea in winter to warm their bodies and prevent diseases. In addition, regularly rinsing the mouth or directly drinking black tea can also help prevent influenza. Drinking black tea also has unique effects in preventing osteoporosis and reducing the incidence of skin cancer.