Commercially available herbal teas are brewed from sweet-cold or bitter-cold Chinese herbs, possessing properties to clear heat, dispel dampness, generate fluids, and reduce internal fire. Selective and proper consumption of these teas can indeed alleviate or reduce internal damp-heat and dry-heat, cool the body and mind, and uplift the spirit.However, improper use may lead to adverse effects such as stomach damage from bitter-cold herbs, depletion of fluids and qi, and obstruction of spleen yang, causing abdominal distension, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and mental exhaustion.Herbal teas contain substantial amounts of cold-natured herbs and are not suitable for everyone. Individuals frequently experiencing symptoms like aversion to cold, cold limbs, pale complexion, loose stools, or clear, prolonged urination may exhibit "yang deficiency." Consuming excessive herbal tea in such cases only exacerbates the condition.Children possess a pure yang constitution and are prone to internal heat. However, their digestive and regulatory functions are not yet fully developed. They cannot promptly adapt to external cold stimuli and are more susceptible to medication-induced gastrointestinal discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. The elderly experience a gradual decline in yang energy. Similarly, the cold nature of herbal teas may deplete their yang energy and lead to digestive system disorders.Furthermore, women during menstruation and the postpartum period are highly sensitive to cold stimuli. While excessive consumption of cold tea may provide temporary relief, it can also slow blood flow, leading to menstrual cramps and irregular periods. In severe cases, it may cause amenorrhea or heavy bleeding.
Herbal Tea Consumption Based on Constitution
Herbal tea should always be consumed in moderation. Do not assume that drinking more is better or that greater quantities will more effectively "cool the body."Worse still, some people excessively consume cooling teas for "prevention" even when not experiencing heatiness, indiscriminately drinking various types without considering their specific effects. This is highly dangerous, akin to indiscriminate medication use. Not only does it often fail to prevent issues, but it can also undermine overall health. The appropriate cooling tea varies based on individual constitution, climate, environment, and physical condition. Before drinking, understand your own constitution.Those with weak constitutions or cold-type constitutions should avoid cold-natured herbs, as they may exacerbate discomfort, harm the body, or even lead to kidney deficiency. Conversely, those with heat-type constitutions generally tolerate bitter-cold herbs well, but they should still identify their specific type of internal heat and choose herbal teas accordingly. Those with severe internal heat should consult a professional physician for guidance.
Further reading on herbal teas:
Can Medicinal Herbal Teas Be Consumed Freely? How to Drink Herbal Tea Healthily
In recent years, various bottled herbal teas have become popular. Some treat them as regular tea, while others consume them like ordinary beverages. However, observant individuals notice that these teas contain multiple Chinese herbs. Since they contain "medicinal" ingredients, can they truly be consumed without caution?
Can herbal teas be consumed after taking tonics?
In traditional Chinese medicine theory, Cordyceps sinensis, ginseng, and deer antler are regarded as the three major tonics. Cordyceps sinensis has a neutral nature and is suitable for a wide range of people.Ginseng is categorized into sun-dried ginseng and red ginseng, with slight differences in medicinal properties. Sun-dried ginseng is neutral in nature, neither warming nor cooling, offering a mild tonic effect. Red ginseng, however, has a warming nature and stronger tonic properties. Deer antler, used to warm the kidneys and strengthen yang, is distinctly warming. Angelica root also belongs to the category of warming herbs.
Drinking Cooling Teas to "Clear Heat" May Actually Pose Several Risks
Dry air makes people prone to "heatiness," driving popularity for various "cooling teas" in supermarkets. However, wellness experts caution that since "heatiness" stems from different causes, tailored approaches are essential—otherwise, it may backfire.