February 3 marks the Start of Spring solar term, when nature transitions from winter to spring—a process of yang growth and yin decline. As stated in the Ling Shu section of the Huangdi Neijing: "Spring gives birth, summer grows." Aligning with nature, the human body exhibits upward and outward growth of yang energy. Spring health practices should thus harmonize with both natural and bodily yin-yang shifts.Spring corresponds to the wood element and the liver. Thus, spring health practices prioritize nourishing the liver.
First, as spring begins, yang energy emerges, the liver becomes abundant, and liver qi flourishes. If liver qi rises excessively or becomes stagnant, it can damage the liver. Tea selections should feature herbs that soothe the liver and regulate qi. Rose petals enter the liver, spleen, and stomach meridians. Sweet in taste, warm in nature, and fragrant, they promote qi circulation and soothe the liver.Selecting rose tea for the Spring Festival can harmonize qi flow, improve stagnant qi and blood circulation, and nourish and regulate the liver.
Secondly, as Spring's onset brings fluctuating temperatures, tea should dispel winter's accumulated cold pathogens and promote the rise of yang energy. Herbal selections should be pungent and warm rather than cold and cooling. Simultaneously, heightened emotional energy may affect spleen and stomach function. Thus, the tea formula may incorporate jujube (red dates), which is sweet and warm, enters the spleen and stomach meridians, and serves to tonify qi and blood, dispel residual cold, warm the stomach, protect the liver, and nourish liver function.
Brewing method: Use 10 dried rosebuds and 3 jujubes (pitted and chopped) per serving. Boil in 300ml purified water for 10 minutes, then steep. Drink warm.
Rose tea, being both food and medicine, offers pleasant flavor and multiple benefits. However, its astringent properties make it unsuitable for those prone to constipation. Additionally, its blood-activating and stasis-dispersing effects warrant caution during pregnancy, menstruation, or for individuals with bleeding tendencies.