Herbal Tea: Who Should Avoid Drinking It?

Traditional herbal plant-based beverages are commonly known as herbal tea, which can eliminate heat in the body during the summer and treat ailments such as sore throat caused by winter dryness. Although herbal tea is beneficial, it should never be consumed as water, especially for the following groups of people.

 1. People with Yang Deficiency

Many people nowadays spend their days sitting in offices, with reduced physical activity and outdoor exposure. As a result, the function of pushing and promoting Yang energy in the body is not exercised. In addition, the use of air conditioning weakens the upward movement of Yang energy in the body. Many people's constitution is transitioning towards Yang deficiency, exhibiting symptoms such as cold intolerance, cold limbs, pale complexion, loose stools, and increased urination. These individuals should not drink herbal tea.

 2. People with a Bitter Summer Constitution

People with a bitter summer constitution have weaker digestive functions and lower resistance due to less food intake. Sweating occurs more frequently during the summer, and according to traditional Chinese medicine, sweat is the "Yang fluid" of the body. Excessive sweating causes the Yang energy to be lost along with the sweat. If bitter and cold herbal tea is consumed during this time, it can harm the spleen and stomach, making them even weaker. This not only worsens the symptoms of a bitter summer constitution but also lowers the immune system, leading to various other diseases.

 3. Women during Menstruation and Postpartum Period

The warmth of the meridians is crucial for maintaining smooth blood circulation and preventing blood stasis. Women are extremely weak during menstruation and postpartum periods, and they are highly sensitive to hot and cold stimuli. Drinking herbal tea without moderation in hot weather may provide temporary cooling in the stomach, but once these medicinal substances enter the bloodstream, the cold stimulus will slow down blood flow and even cause blood stasis. This can lead to dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, decreased menstrual flow, and in severe cases, excessive bleeding or amenorrhea.

 4. Children and the Elderly

Children have a pure Yang body and are prone to heat accumulation, but drinking herbal tea is not an effective way to prevent heat accumulation in children. This is because their spleen and stomach regulation functions are not yet fully developed, and they cannot adjust and adapt to the cold stimulus of external medication in a timely manner. Instead, direct effects of medication on the spleen and stomach can affect digestion and absorption, leading to abdominal pain and diarrhea. The Yang energy of the elderly gradually weakens, and organ functions decline. They may also experience digestive system disorders and weakened Yang energy due to the stimulation of herbal tea.