According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), different herbal teas have different properties: cool, warm, and neutral. People with different constitutions should choose teas based on their own. For individuals with a "heat" constitution, it is advisable to choose cool herbs, while those with a "deficiency-cold" constitution are suitable for warm herbs. Neutral herbs can be consumed by most people. Cool edible herbs mainly include Prunella spike, Honeysuckle, Chrysanthemum, and Pagoda tree flowers. Warm edible herbs mainly include Jasmine, Plum blossom, Rose, China rose, and Saffron. Neutral herbs mainly include Albizzia flower, Corn silk, Cottonrose hibiscus, and Lavender.
Experts emphasize that warm herbs should not be brewed with cool herbs. Furthermore, as each herbal tea contains its own properties, these different properties may conflict, easily producing substances harmful to the body, or even becoming toxic. In severe cases, this can lead to adverse reactions such as palpitations and dizziness. Additionally, it is best not to mix more than three types of herbs in a single tea.
TCM experts also note that people should choose herbal teas suitable for them based on their own physical condition and recent health status.
Cassia seed: Although it can lower blood lipids, it can also cause diarrhea. Long-term consumption by women can lead to irregular menstruation, or in severe cases, abnormal endometrium. Use with caution for those with diarrhea, low blood pressure, and pregnant women.
Honeysuckle: Its medicinal nature is cool, and no one should drink it long-term, especially those with a weak spleen and stomach, qi deficiency and a weak body, and women during their menstrual period.
Senna: Brewed as a tea, it can relieve constipation, but long-term use for chronic, habitual constipation can lead to dependency. The dosage required will increase until it becomes ineffective. Large doses can also lead to urinary retention and malignant blood pressure changes. It is absolutely not suitable for women during lactation, menstruation, or pregnancy.
Goji berry: It has a strong warming effect on the body, but it is not suitable for patients with high blood pressure, irritable individuals, or those who usually eat a lot of meat and have a flushed face.
Malva nut: It is suitable for hoarseness caused by wind-heat pathogen invading the throat. It is ineffective for hoarseness caused by other reasons, especially for the elderly who suddenly lose their voice or those with spleen deficiency.
Licorice: Although it has the effects of tonifying the spleen and qi, clearing heat, and detoxifying, long-term use can cause edema and elevated blood pressure.
Chrysanthemum: It is a cool medicinal herb. Although it has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, it is not suitable for those with a "yang-deficiency" constitution.
Ginseng slices: They can replenish qi, promote fluid production, and calm the mind, tonifying the spleen, benefiting the lungs. However, long-term or excessive use by healthy and strong individuals can easily cause a dry mouth and throat, and even nosebleeds.