Identify the Tea Suitable for You
If you really can't tell what your constitution is, you can experience it personally. For example, if your stomach feels uncomfortable after drinking green tea, then you have a cool constitution and should immediately switch to warm tea; if you can't sleep after drinking this tea, then you should not drink strong tea; if you feel refreshed after drinking this tea and don't catch colds often, then you can drink this tea regularly.
☞ Can Constitution Change?
Constitution is formed by both innate endowment and acquired factors. The specificity of constitution is a tendency, such as people with abundant yang energy but insufficient body fluids who are prone to heat-related illnesses; while those with weak yang energy and excessive body fluids are prone to phlegm-dampness syndromes, meaning they have a tendency to develop phlegm-dampness conditions.
At the same time, constitution may be influenced or even changed by acquired environmental factors, such as emotional stimulation, improper diet, overwork or lack of exercise, geographical environment, climate factors, and severe or chronic diseases. For example, a person's constitution may change with the seasons. Some people prefer a certain type of tea, and their constitution may also change accordingly.
Theoretically, people with a balanced constitution should drink flower tea in spring, oolong tea in autumn, black tea in winter, and green tea in summer. However, this rule should first comply with individual constitution. Try to drink as little tea as possible on an empty stomach, before bed, or overnight tea. Diabetics should drink more tea, and drink light tea after waking up in the morning.
☞ Can Tea Sober You Up?
It is often heard that drinking tea can sober you up after getting drunk. At this time, never drink strong tea. It stimulates the heart and kidneys. Some people drink too much alcohol and use strong tea to sober up; they don't die from drunkenness but from heart problems. The decomposed substances of alcohol are toxic. They are detoxified by the liver and then go to the kidneys. The diuretic effect of caffeine is very strong and will flush the not-yet-decomposed substances into the kidneys. Over time, the kidneys will be damaged. Therefore, frequently using strong tea to sober up may lead to kidney stones and kidney damage. How should such people drink tea? Pour out the first cup of tea, or you can eat some fruits or sugar.
☞ Can Tea Be Taken with Medicine?
Many people also believe that tea cannot be taken with medicine. In fact, over 90% of medicines can be taken with tea, especially vitamin-based medicines, which can be completely taken with tea. However, there are three types of medicines that cannot be taken with tea:
The first type is metal-based medicines. For example, if the medicine contains metals, it won't work. Elderly people and children should not take calcium supplements with tea, and girls prone to anemia should not take iron supplements with tea, because tea polyphenols will combine with iron and calcium, decomposing both the medicinal and tea effects.
The second type is sedative medicines. Taking them with tea is definitely not acceptable.
The third type is enzyme-based medicines. If you have poor digestion and take digestive enzymes, taking them with tea will render them ineffective. Taking tea alone without enzyme medicines may aid digestion, but taking both together will not help digestion.