"Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea," tea is one of the most common beverages in China, and there are countless "legends" and "traditions" surrounding tea drinking. For example: drink flower tea in spring, green tea in summer, oolong tea in autumn, and black tea in winter. Why has there been such a tradition since ancient times? This is the wisdom passed down from our ancestors based on long-term experience. As it is spring now, let's explore why flower tea is recommended for this season:

Benefits of drinking flower tea in spring:

1. Dispelling cold and boosting energy, preventing colds

Spring health preservation should focus on nourishing yang energy. Spring is the season of growth, with rising temperatures and yang energy ascending. Flower teas often have dispersing properties, helping the body expel the cold accumulated during winter and promoting the generation of yang energy. Expelling cold and boosting yang energy helps maintain the balance of internal organs and unblock meridians, "where there is sufficient vital energy, evil cannot invade." In other words, it mobilizes the body's metabolism, improves immunity, and prevents the invasion of viruses, bacteria, and other "external evils," thus preventing colds.

2. Refreshing the mind and relieving fatigue

Flower teas are made from flowers, which often have aromatic, mind-refreshing, qi-regulating, and harmonizing effects. The fragrance of flowers is uplifting and refreshing, and their visual appeal adds to a sense of relaxation. Flower teas help disperse stagnation, uplift clear yang, and dispel impurities, clearing the mind and relaxing emotions, thereby relieving fatigue and breaking the spell of "spring fatigue."

3. Moisturizing the skin and beautifying

Women are often compared to flowers, implying their delicate beauty. Traditional Chinese medicine often says, "Women rely on blood for nourishment and the liver as their innate foundation," highlighting the importance of balanced qi and blood for women. The liver governs emotions, so women should maintain a relaxed mood. Many flowers have been studied in TCM for their ability to promote blood circulation, regulate menstruation, and relieve stagnation, helping balance women's qi, blood, yin, and yang. Healthy qi and blood nourish the skin, giving women a rosy and radiant complexion.

Different flowers suit different needs, each with unique effects:

1. Chrysanthemum tea

Method: Take a small amount of chrysanthemum and cassia seeds, place them in a teacup, and pour boiling water over them. The first rinse is for washing the tea and should not be consumed. The second time, add some rock sugar and pour boiling water over it.

Effect: Chrysanthemum has the effects of dispersing wind-heat and clearing the liver to improve vision. Adding a small amount of cassia seeds enhances the vision-improving effect. In spring, as temperatures rise, wind-heat can easily invade the surface, causing colds or liver damage due to wind-heat. A cup of chrysanthemum tea can clear the liver, disperse wind-heat, prevent colds, and relieve eye fatigue, making it suitable for those who spend long hours in front of screens.

2. Jasmine tea

Method: Take a small amount of jasmine flowers, wrap them in a tea bag (or gauze), heat the milk, and soak the jasmine tea bag in the hot milk.

Effect: Jasmine is warm in nature, with a pungent and sweet taste. It has the effects of regulating qi, relieving stagnation, warming the stomach, calming the mind, and promoting relaxation. Milk also has stomach-warming and calming effects. Drinking the two together aids sleep, making it suitable for consumption before bedtime or for those with poor sleep.

3. Rose tea

Method: Take an appropriate amount of rose buds and place them in a teacup. Boil water and let it cool to about 80°C before pouring it over the roses. The first rinse is for washing the tea and should be done quickly without allowing the tea flavor to develop before discarding. Do not brew with tea leaves. When the tea cools to about 40°C, add a small amount of honey before drinking.

Effect: Roses are warm in nature, with a sweet and slightly bitter taste. They have the effects of regulating qi, relieving stagnation, promoting blood circulation, and alleviating menstrual pain. They should not be brewed with tea leaves because the tannins in tea can interfere with the qi-regulating effects of roses. Roses also have skin-whitening and spot-removing effects. Adding honey enhances their beauty benefits. Honey should not be added when the water is too hot, as it can destroy the enzymes in honey and make the taste sour.

4. Lavender tea

Method: Take an appropriate amount of lavender and place it in a teacup. Pour boiling water over it for the first rinse. Add cleaned mint leaves to the cup and brew with the lavender. When the tea cools to about 40°C, add a small amount of honey before drinking.

Effect: Lavender has relaxing, stress-relieving, and sleep-promoting effects. Its rich fragrance can refresh the mind, dispel impurities, and relax the mood. Combined with mint, which has a cooling and refreshing effect, it is especially suitable for those who are mentally tense or feel mentally foggy.

5. Lotus tea

Method: Take a dried lotus flower (prepared for tea), pour boiling purified water over it, and rinse once. The second time, cover the cup and let it steep for 3-5 minutes until the tea aroma develops before drinking.

Effect: Lotus has the effects of calming the mind, dispelling impurities, and beautifying the skin. The lotus, which "emerges unstained from the mud," carries a cooling effect in summer, helping to clear heart fire and calm the mind. Its fragrance can also help eliminate bad breath, making it suitable for those with internal heat, bad breath, or restlessness and insomnia.