Following the comprehensive reopening, there seems to be a widespread presence of the virus outside. Those who have tested positive should not panic excessively but rather rest well, stay warm, isolate at home, eat properly, and consider brewing some tea to soothe their lungs and reduce dryness. This can also enhance our body's resistance.

Tea has always been a healthy beverage that can boost the human immune system and even has the potential to prevent COVID-19 infections, which is officially recognized. The Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention once stated: Drinking tea may help prevent COVID-19.

Research has found that tea water, primarily containing tea polyphenols (including catechins), exhibits good extracellular killing and intracellular proliferation inhibitory effects against the novel coronavirus in cell cultures. Academician Liu Zhonghua of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at Hunan Agricultural University said: Drinking tea enhances the human immune system and improves resistance.

The current Omicron variant of COVID-19 has characteristics such as strong drug resistance, high transmissibility, and hidden spread, making it very easy to spread during winter.

From a Traditional Chinese medicine perspective, cold pathogenic factors rise in winter, and if the body's vital energy is insufficient, it is more susceptible to external pathogens. Especially vulnerable are groups with lower immunity, such as the elderly, children, those recovering from illness, and those with underlying health conditions, who tend to get sick easily, deteriorate quickly, and recover slowly. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that “when vital energy is abundant within, pathogens cannot invade.” Therefore, as long as our body's vital energy is robust, external pathogens like wind, dampness, and cold are less likely to invade, achieving a better preventive effect against diseases.

So, what kinds of tea can both improve the body's immunity and prevent COVID-19 during winter? These teas can also be consumed after contracting the virus, but remember, tea is not a substitute for medication and should be consumed in moderation.

01. Black Tea

Black tea tastes sweet and mellow without being cloying; it is less stimulating and warms the stomach without causing harm. It is versatile and good for health and wellbeing. In this cold winter, the chill can be a trigger for viral infections. Drinking black tea warms both the heart and stomach and helps you resist the assault of the cold, protecting your physical and mental health.

Benefits of Black Tea:

1: Keeps you warm, nourishes the stomach, and removes dampness. People who tend to have cold hands and feet in winter or women with a cold constitution can drink more black tea.

2: Dilates blood vessels and reduces cardiovascular disease. Black tea is rich in “flavonoids,” which can prevent coronary heart disease or stroke.

3: Promotes diuresis, detoxification, and fights influenza. The polyphenols in black tea have anti-inflammatory effects, and catechins can bind to single-cell bacteria, causing proteins to coagulate and precipitate, thereby inhibiting and eliminating pathogenic bacteria. Thus, drinking more black tea in winter can effectively prevent influenza.

02. Pu'er Tea

Benefits of Pu'er Tea:

1: Reduces fat, aids digestion, and promotes circulation. During the fermentation process of Pu'er tea, multiple beneficial bacterial strains are formed, which can regulate the digestive tract and effectively adjust the body's internal circulation. This strengthens the physiological functions of the digestive system, clears the intestines, facilitates bowel movements, aids digestion, and removes excess oils from the intestines. For winter digestive systems prone to food accumulation, it has excellent relieving effects.

2: Supplements trace elements and boosts immunity. Aged Pu'er tea contains theaflavins, thearubigins, theabrownins (TB), and vitamin C, which play important roles in enhancing the immune system and can prevent colds during the chilly season.

3: Lowers blood pressure and blood sugar. According to traditional Chinese medicine, winter is characterized by dryness and coolness, making it easy for blood pressure and blood sugar levels to go out of control. Theanine in Pu'er tea can inhibit blood pressure increases, while the unique tea polysaccharides in aged Pu'er tea have an insulin-like effect, lowering blood sugar levels in the body.

03. Dried Tangerine Peel (Chenpi)

Benefits of Dried Tangerine Peel:

1. Regulates Qi: Dried tangerine peel can open up blocked qi pathways, and when qi flows freely, many illnesses dissipate.

2. Helps dissolve phlegm: Those with phlegm-dampness constitutions and thick white tongue coating should drink dried tangerine peel regularly.

3. Descends Qi: It is effective for symptoms such as nausea, coughing, vomiting, and stomach discomfort.

4. Removes dampness: Suitable for those with excessive dampness.

04. White Tea

Many tea enthusiasts know that white tea is described as “one year as tea, three years as medicine, seven years as treasure.” White tea with a certain age acquires medicinal properties. When experiencing a sore throat or cough, white tea can be consumed.

Benefits of White Tea:

1. Anti-inflammatory, reduces greasiness, lowers blood pressure, and reduces fat.

2. Clears heat, moistens the lungs, and relieves dryness.

3. Improves vision, protects the liver, stops coughing, and expels phlegm.

Drinking tea is a healthy and culturally rich lifestyle. May all friends frequently consume tea to increase their immunity and boost their resistance. Let us unite in fighting the epidemic, overcome difficulties together, and starting today, drink more tea, healthier tea, and be healthy Chinese citizens!

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