Summer Health: The Power of Herbal Teas

"After the Lesser Heat, one day of heat equates to three parts." In the scorching summer, it is important to clear heat and quench thirst. Compared to beverages, drinking tea is highly recommended by health experts. In addition to green tea, herbal teas and traditional Chinese medicine teas are also very popular. Chinese medicinal teas have a long history of treating ailments, with a saying in the Tang Dynasty that goes, "Medicine treats hundreds of diseases, while tea cures various ailments."

Herbal Teas in Summer

Herbal teas refer to the use of Chinese herbs in combination with tea leaves, or the use of Chinese herbs (single or compound) instead of tea to brew and consume, just like tea.

Summer is the season of the most vigorous yang energy, with hot weather and abundant vitality. At this time, the yang energy is outwardly expressed while the yin energy is suppressed, and the circulation of qi and blood becomes more vigorous.

The characteristic of summer is heat, so it is crucial to clear heat and dispel summer heat.

Based on the characteristics of summer, combined with traditional Chinese medicine, let's talk about the key points of tea consumption for health preservation.

Clear Heat and Reduce Fire

Summer temperatures are high, and the heat is intense.

Therefore, it is important to clear heat, dispel summer heat, and eliminate dampness and toxins.

Herbs such as honeysuckle, forsythia, peppermint, and chrysanthemum are all medicinal herbs that clear heat and reduce fire. Drinking teas with these herbs in summer is beneficial for clearing heat and reducing fire.

Nourish the Heart and Calm the Mind

In the sweltering summer, people easily feel tired, irritable, and restless due to the heat.

Therefore, the key to summer health preservation lies in nourishing the heart. Summer is the peak season for heart diseases, and according to traditional Chinese medicine, "the heart corresponds to the summer energy." The heart's yang energy is most vigorous in the summer.

Prevent anger outbursts and calm the mind.

Clear the mind and keep a peaceful state.

Common medicinal herbs for nourishing the heart and calming the mind include bamboo leaves, licorice, sour jujube seeds, and honeysuckle.

Strengthen the Spleen and Eliminate Dampness

In summer, dampness is prevalent, and people's spleen and stomach functions are weakened, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea and a white and greasy tongue coating. Therefore, it is advisable to choose herbal teas that strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness.

Usually, herbal teas containing patchouli and plectranthus herbs are selected.

Tonify the Lungs and Kidneys

According to the five-element theory, in summer, the heart fire is strong while the lungs (metal) and kidneys (water) are weak, so it is important to nourish the yin of the lungs and kidneys.

Herbal teas containing wolfberry, rhizoma dioscoreae, lily, and mulberry are recommended to tonify the lungs and can prevent excessive sweating and depletion of body fluids.