Wenzhou is no exception. Tea becomes a beloved beverage in summer. Yet during interviews, reporters found most people—especially middle-aged and elderly individuals—remain unfamiliar with tea's health benefits, often drinking it solely for its aroma without considering variety.
Tea Consumption Precautions for Specific Groups
The Tang Dynasty text Supplement to Materia Medica noted: "While various herbs treat specific ailments, tea is the remedy for all diseases."Japan's Zen Master Eisai also stated in his "Notes on Tea for Health Preservation": "Tea is the immortal leaf for health preservation, the elixir of longevity." Regular tea consumption benefits both physical and mental well-being. However, improper consumption may lead to adverse effects. Here, Deputy Chief Physician Liu Gang from the Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine reminds everyone that human constitutions vary between dry-heat and deficiency-cold types, while tea leaves, processed through different methods, also exhibit cooling or warming properties. Therefore, tea consumption requires consideration based on individual constitution.
Tea also exhibits cooling or warming properties based on its processing methods. According to traditional Chinese medicine, human constitutions fall into hot or cold categories, necessitating tailored tea consumption. Generally, those with a dry-heat constitution should drink cooling teas, while those with a deficient-cold constitution should opt for warming teas.Specifically, those with habits like smoking and drinking, who are overweight, or prone to internal heat (i.e., dry-heat constitution) should drink cooling teas. Conversely, individuals with weak digestion and cold-deficiency constitutions—those who experience diarrhea after consuming raw or cold foods or have generally weaker constitutions—should opt for neutral or warming teas. Additionally, adults and children require different teas due to their varying ages and constitutions.Generally, elderly individuals with weakened constitutions and declining digestive function should avoid overly strong tea, as it may cause diarrhea. Younger adults, however, possess relatively stronger constitutions and lower sensitivity to tea, unlike the elderly who may experience adverse effects from excessive coldness. Children often exhibit symptoms like poor appetite or indigestion, so tea consumption is generally not recommended; drinking plain water in moderation suffices.
Nutritional Balance is Key
Liu Gang also notes that green tea is rich in beneficial compounds like amino acids and tea polyphenols. Research indicates tea polyphenols possess potent antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, and antibacterial properties. During scorching summer months, increased fluid loss necessitates greater hydration. Consuming cooling green tea can help clear heat and alleviate summer heat.While incorporating tea into daily life, it's important to also consume whole grains, plenty of vegetables and fruits, engage in regular exercise, and maintain a balanced lifestyle rhythm.
Common tea varieties are primarily categorized into green tea, oolong tea (including Wulong, Tieguanyin, and Dahongpao), black tea, and dark tea (Pu'er tea), with the following characteristics:
Green Tea: Individuals with allergies may experience vomiting when drinking green tea.Most renowned Chinese teas are green teas. Since their production process omits fermentation, they retain higher nutritional content than other types. However, their higher chlorophyll content can irritate the stomach and intestines, making them unsuitable for individuals with gastric ulcers.Tieguanyin: Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. As a semi-fermented tea with a short fermentation period, Tieguanyin retains a cooling nature. It excels at fat reduction and digestion while boasting an exceptionally rich aroma. However, drinking it on an empty stomach may cause tea intoxication.Neither cold nor hot, Oolong tea is mildly cooling, sweet, and moisturizing—a neutral tea suitable for most people. Its coarser leaves require brewing with 100°C boiling water.
Da Hong Pao Tea: Mildly warming without being cold, gentle on the stomach, rich in flavor, and intensely aromatic. Its fragrance lingers on the palate long after drinking, and even after nine infusions, it retains the original tea's osmanthus scent.
Pu'er Tea: Mild and mellow in nature, it warms the stomach, lowers blood pressure, and reduces blood lipids. Long-term consumption effectively alleviates atherosclerosis and prevents cardiovascular diseases.