In our last blog Post we shared about the origins of ‘Tea’!
We spoke of how Green Tea, White Tea, Oolong, and Black Tea all share the origins of being made from the plant Cha Shu |茶树 (Tea Tree), known as Camellia Sinensis in Latin.
Today, we will share more details about each ‘Tea’, its main benefits, and its ‘nature’.
We will then add suggestions below each tea, in regards to which season is best for the enjoyment of said tea, and in relation to your own constitution.
If you aren’t sure of your Constitution, check out our Blog Post suggested below for a better idea.
Green Tea (Lu Cha | 绿茶)
Nature: Cool (Slightly Cold)
Flavour: Slightly Bitter
Benefits: Quenches thirst, clears heat & dissolves phlegm, aids in weight loss (Catechins)
Seasonal Enjoyment: Green tea is best enjoyed during warmer weather such as Summer and Late Summer. If one drinks this tea in colder weather, it can weaken the digestion and, for some, even cause discomfort.
Inner Season (Constitution): Green tea is very complimentary for those who have Wood & Fire constitutions. This cooling tea can balance your innate warmth and yang nature, while not dampening your yang energy too much.
Green tea may be too cooling for those who are Metal or Water constitution, but it is for you to experiment with!
Exceptions: If you are experiencing a sudden mild flare of inflammation with signs of heat (redness, rash, itching, headache, signs of virus and/or bacterial infection) Green tea can be a great adjacent tool for your care.
It is advised to ask your primary physician and TCM Practitioner for tandem advice in each unique situation.
White Tea (Bai Cha | 白茶)
Nature: Cold
Flavour: Bitter
Benefits: Clears heat & inflammation, regulates bowel movements, aids in weight loss
Seasonal Enjoyment: White Tea is best enjoyed during hot and sticky mid to late summer days.
Inner Season (Constitution): White tea is perfect for Fire and Wood element constitution, as it will temper your natural Yang energy with a cooling Yin energy.
For those who naturally feel cold and aversion to cold (Metal & Water) this tea can further dampen your fire, and can lead to impeded digestion, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.
Exceptions: If you are experiencing sudden flare of inflammation with signs of heat (redness, rash, itching, headache, signs of virus and/or bacterial infection) White tea can be a great adjacent tool for your care. Although, white tea can cause slight diarrhea & increased urine output, this may be required for your body to heal and reset in the case of inflammation flare up.
It is advised to ask your primary physician and TCM Practitioner for tandem advice in each unique situation.
Pu’er Tea ( Pu’er Cha | 普洱茶)
Nature: Cool (Mild) – Cold
Flavour: Bitter
Benefits: Clears heat & dispels toxicity, promotes generation of body fluids, promotes digestion, reported to balance blood sugar
Seasonal Enjoyment: Due to Pu’er’s cool – cold nature, it is better to drink this tea during warmer seasons and to balance spicy or pungent meals.
Inner Season (Constitution): Not recommended for daily use for those who are Metal or Water constitution, or those who experience cold symptoms in the middle jiao (torso / abdominal region).
Oolong Tea ( Wu Long Cha | 烏龍茶)
Nature: Slightly Warm – Warm
Flavour: Slightly Sweet (Earthy)
Benefits: Warms the body, contains polyphenols known to reduce visceral fat
Seasonal Enjoyment: Oolong tea is a great beverage to accompany cool autumn weather and long winter days. This tea is best to be drank hot with small sips at a time. Allow yourself to take in the aroma of this tea with every sip. It is normal to experience slight sweat around your forehead or back of neck when drinking Oolong, and even to experience the need to defecate (number 2). These are examples of the tea taking its balancing effects upon the body systems. (Sweat, Defecation, Urination = 3 best ways to self regulate)
Inner Season (Constitution): For those who have Earth or Metal constitution, Oolong tea is ideal! However, when this tea is prepared properly (heated for long enough), its mild nature can be beneficial for all Constitutions! Only Fire Constitution is advised to have Oolong in smaller quantities and frequency.
Black Tea ( Hong Cha | 红茶)
Nature: Warm
Flavour: Bitter
Benefits: Increases Blood and Qi Circulation, Prevents onset of chronic disorders (Catechins), Aids in Weight Loss & Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver (Inhibits obesity & activates Lipolysis)
Seasonal Enjoyment: Black Tea is best enjoyed during colder seasonal weather such as rainy Spring days, Cool autumn mornings, and long Winter days.
It is normal to experience slight sweat around your forehead or back of neck when drinking Black tea, and even to experience the need to defecate (number 2).
These are examples of the tea taking its balancing effects upon the body systems.
(Sweat, Defecation, Urination = 3 best ways to self regulate)
Inner Season (Constitution): Best for those who are Metal or Water constitution, as you likely often report cold sensations & avoidance of cold , enjoy warm beverages, and could benefit from increased circulation of qi and blood
This tea is not ideal for those who report heat sensations, or those who have Wood or Fire constitution. If you have Yin or Blood Deficiency heat, Black tea can also intensify the symptoms of dryness and heat.
We hope you thoroughly enjoyed this blog post!
Stop by our clinic any day of the week to enjoy a nice warm cup of tea!
Lotus Care
