Experts point out that tea contains a large amount of tannins, theophylline, tea oil, and various vitamins. It is more suitable to brew with water at around 80°C. If a thermos is used to steep tea in high-temperature water for a long time, the vitamins in the tea will be completely destroyed, the tea oil will evaporate in large quantities, and the tannins and theophylline will be extracted excessively. This not only reduces the nutritional value of the tea and diminishes its aroma, but also increases the amount of carcinogenic substances.
Facing computer screens daily, sitting for long periods, never leaving the office... Research shows that office workers have become the group most prone to cancer. Due to bad habits, even drinking tea can potentially cause cancer. But this is not necessarily true! As long as it is consumed properly, drinking tea can prevent cancer. So, in this dry autumn and winter season, what teas can office workers drink to prevent cancer and moisturize?
Office workers can drink seven types of tea to prevent cancer:
1. Ginger and Perilla Tea
This tea helps dispel wind and cold, regulate qi, and harmonize the stomach. It is suitable for colds with fever, headache, or gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain. This simple formula uses few ingredients and is easy to prepare.
Take 3 grams each of ginger and perilla leaves. Shred the ginger, wash the perilla leaves, and steep in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drink as tea. Take 2 doses daily, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, warmed.
2. Orange Peel Tea
This tea moistens the lungs, resolves phlegm, and regulates qi to stop coughing. It is suitable for autumn coughs with excessive phlegm that is sticky and difficult to expel. The orange peel regulates qi and resolves phlegm, while tea has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Together, they are effective for coughs with sticky phlegm.
Use 3–6 grams of dried orange peel and 5 grams of green tea. Steep in boiling water, then steam in a pot for 20 minutes before drinking. Take 1 dose daily and drink at any time.
3. Tieguanyin Tea
This tea clears the mind and brightens the eyes, kills bacteria, reduces inflammation, aids weight loss and anti-aging, prevents cancer, lowers blood lipids and cholesterol, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As the saying goes, "Spring water, autumn aroma" — autumn tea is considered a premium. Overall, autumn is the best season for Tieguanyin as a health tea.
4. Radish Tea
This tea clears lung heat and resolves phlegm. Adding a little salt can both season and help clear the lungs and reduce inflammation.
Use 100 grams of white radish and 5 grams of tea. First, wash and slice the radish, boil until soft, and add a little salt. Then steep the tea for 5 minutes and pour the tea into the radish juice. Drink twice daily. Folk proverb: "Eating radish and drinking tea makes the doctor run away in vain."
5. White Fungus Tea
This tea nourishes yin, reduces internal heat, moistens the lungs, and stops coughing. It is especially suitable for coughs due to yin deficiency.
Use 20 grams of white fungus, 5 grams of tea, and 20 grams of rock sugar. First, wash the white fungus, stew it with water and rock sugar until soft. Then steep the tea for 5 minutes and mix the tea into the white fungus soup. Stir well and drink.
6. Osmanthus Tea
This tea warms and tonifies yang qi, and is mainly used for hypertension caused by yang deficiency.
Use 1 gram of dried osmanthus flowers and 2 grams of tea. Place both in a cup and steep in boiling water for 6 minutes. Drink one cup in the morning and one in the evening.
7. Bitter Gourd Tea
Bitter gourd tea has diuretic effects.
Hollow out a bitter gourd, fill it with green tea, and hang it in a ventilated place to dry in the shade. When ready to drink, chop the dried bitter gourd and take 10 grams, then steep in boiling water.