Some herbal teas should not be consumed regularly

Herbal tea refers to a herbal beverage with an aromatic flavor, made by decocting or infusing parts of plants such as roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or bark. Since each flower or herb has corresponding properties, flavors, and effects, if used properly, herbal teas do offer certain health benefits. However, they should only be consumed for a limited period and adjusted according to one's body constitution; excessive consumption can also cause physical discomfort. For example, Pangdahai (sterculia lychnophora) tea is used for sudden hoarseness accompanied by cough, thirst, and sore throat. But if taken as a long-term health beverage, it can cause spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, loose stools, and reduced appetite as side effects.

Drinking “tea” also requires matching symptoms

People primarily drink herbal tea for health benefits. Therefore, understanding one's own body constitution and the properties, flavors, and effects of herbal teas is crucial when choosing them.

For instance, lotus seed heart, chrysanthemum, peppermint leaf, Pangdahai, Kuding (bitter tea), and jade butterfly are relatively cold-natured herbs. They can be infused when there are heat symptoms such as lung heat and phlegm-heat, or sore throat. However, once symptoms improve, consumption should be reduced or stopped.

Some women's health experts recommend consuming more rose tea or motherwort tea. Rose indeed has the effects of promoting qi circulation, relieving depression, harmonizing blood, relieving pain, and soothing emotions, which is very suitable for women. However, women with severe qi deficiency should use it cautiously and drink less to avoid worsening qi deficiency. Motherwort promotes blood circulation, removes blood stasis, clears heat, and detoxifies; it is suitable for women with irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, or abdominal pain. However, those with yin deficiency and blood deficiency should avoid it, as motherwort's blood-activating effect can lead to blood deficiency and damage yin.

Many women also like to brew a few slices of lemon to make lemon water, supplementing vitamin C to lighten skin. Lemon water is rich in vitamin C, antibacterial, and immune-boosting. However, because it is acidic, it should not be consumed on an empty stomach. Drinking too much can damage the stomach lining and also harm teeth.

Women hope to have bright and beautiful eyes without wearing colored contacts, and Cassia seed (Juemingzi) is known for improving eyesight. In addition, it has effects such as regulating immunity, inhibiting bacteria, anti-cancer, lowering blood pressure, regulating blood lipids, and promoting bowel movements. It seems like an ideal beverage, but people with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, spleen deficiency with diarrhea, or low blood pressure should not use it. In summary, only by scientifically selecting herbal teas can one achieve the goals of health preservation and wellness.

Pre-mixed herbal teas may have conflicting medicinal properties

There are many pre-mixed combination herbal teas sold on the market. If consumers wish to purchase them, it is best to go to a reputable Chinese herbal medicine shop. The combination herbal teas sold there are usually formulated by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who have a good grasp of which herbs may conflict in properties. However, caution should be exercised when buying combination herbal teas from supermarkets or online sources; it is best to seek advice from someone knowledgeable in Chinese medicine.

The combination of herbal teas can be chosen based on the mutual reinforcement or antagonism of their properties, flavors, and effects. In terms of property, most edible herbs are warm, cold, or neutral. Common warm-natured edible herbs include plum blossom, jasmine tea, rose, Chinese rose, and saffron. Common cold-natured edible herbs include Prunella vulgaris, honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, and Sophora flower. Neutral herbs include Albizia julibrissin, corn silk, hibiscus flower, and lavender. When combining, warm-natured herbs should generally not be paired with cold-natured ones. In terms of effects, mixing stimulating herbs with lavender, which is calming, may weaken the effect. Similarly, Cassia seed (Juemingzi) has a laxative effect; if combined with lotus seed heart, which has astringent properties, the laxative effect of Cassia seed will be reduced.

Choose the “tea” nature based on body constitution

Besides medicinal properties, one must also consider physical condition when drinking herbal tea. Each herbal tea has specific effects, so when choosing, one must first distinguish their own constitution. For example, people with a heaty constitution should choose cold-natured herbs, while those with a deficiency-cold constitution should use warm-natured herbs. Neutral herbs are generally suitable for most people. On the other hand, if one is taking medication, extra caution is needed when selecting herbal teas. For instance, patients taking antihypertensive drugs should monitor their blood pressure if also drinking Cassia seed tea, to prevent excessive blood pressure reduction. Only by choosing herbal teas according to one's physical needs can one enjoy them while achieving health benefits.

Herbal tea is actually similar to Chinese medicine; it must be tailored to the individual and cannot follow a “one-size-fits-all” formula. Finding the right herbal tea for oneself is the only way to achieve fitness, health, and beauty. This requires understanding the properties, effects, and contraindications of commonly used herbal tea ingredients. With this mini “pharmacopoeia,” you can become a herbal tea expert.

Cassia Seed (Juemingzi)

Bitter flavor, cold nature. It clears the liver, improves eyesight, and promotes bowel movements. Rich in compounds like emodin, chrysophanol, and obtusin, it also lowers blood pressure, has antibacterial effects, and reduces cholesterol. Most Cassia seeds on the market are raw; if brewed directly, they can easily cause diarrhea. Cassia seed is not suitable for people with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, spleen deficiency with diarrhea, low blood pressure, or pregnant women. Long-term consumption in women can cause menstrual disorders.

Pangdahai (Sterculia lychnophora)

Sweet flavor, cold nature, slightly toxic. It clears heat, moistens the lungs, benefits the throat, detoxifies, and moistens the intestines to promote bowel movements. Excessive consumption of Pangdahai can weaken the spleen and stomach, leading to diarrhea, reduced appetite, chest tightness, and weight loss. People with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, cold of common cold or lung yin deficiency cough, diabetes, or low blood pressure should avoid excessive consumption.

Peppermint Leaf

Pungent flavor, cool nature. It disperses wind-heat, clears the head and eyes, benefits the throat, promotes eruption, and relieves depression. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not drink excessive peppermint leaf tea. Peppermint is aromatic and pungent and dispersing; people with lung deficiency cough or yin deficiency fever with excessive sweating should also use it cautiously. Because it has a refreshing and stimulating effect, it is not advisable to drink too much in the evening to avoid sleep disturbances.

Goji Berry (Gouqizi)

Sweet flavor, neutral nature. It nourishes the liver and kidneys, improves eyesight, nourishes blood, and enhances immunity. Although goji berry is very nourishing and therapeutic, it is not suitable for everyone. Because goji berry strongly warms the body, people currently suffering from colds, fever, inflammation, or diarrhea are best advised not to drink goji berry tea.

Jade Butterfly (Yuhudie)

Bitter flavor, cold nature. It clears lung heat, benefits the throat, and is effective for sore throat and hoarseness. It also whitens the skin and promotes metabolism. Jade butterfly is cold in nature; people with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should not drink it.

Red Qiao Mei (Hongqiaomei)

Sweet flavor, cold nature. It clears heat, removes spots, nourishes the skin, regulates menstruation, clears the liver and dissipates lumps, regulates endocrine, and promotes metabolism. Regular consumption can regulate the endocrine system. People with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold or diarrhea should not drink it excessively.

Eucommia (Duzhong)

Sweet flavor, slightly pungent, neutral nature. It is widely known for tonifying the liver and kidneys, strengthening bones and muscles, lowering blood pressure, and preventing miscarriage. People with yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity should use it cautiously.

Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum (Hangbaiju)

Slightly cold nature, sweet and bitter flavor. It disperses wind-heat, calms the liver and improves eyesight, clears heat, and detoxifies. Chrysanthemum is cool in nature; people with weak constitution, spleen deficiency, stomach cold, or prone to diarrhea should not drink it.

Lotus Seed Heart (Lianzixin)

Bitter flavor, cold nature. Lotus seed heart tea has the effects of clearing the heart, removing heat, stopping bleeding, and quenching thirst. It can be used to treat heart failure,