How to drink tea healthily in spring? Infusing water with these four ingredients is more beneficial for your health.

"In the third month of spring, one tries the new tea". During the Qingming Festival, the tea trees and nature awaken together. The new tea that comes to market at this time has a clear green color and a lucid liquor. When brewed into a cup, its flavor is mellow and its aroma is elegant, calming the mind and relieving vexation. However, liking tea is not the same as knowing how to drink it. So, how can one brew it for better health? And what are some common misconceptions about tea?

Misconception One: The fresher the tea, the better

"New tea" refers to tea made from fresh leaves less than half a month ago. Relatively speaking, such tea does taste better. However, from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, newly processed tea contains "fire qi," which needs to be stored for a period of time to dissipate. Therefore, drinking too much "new tea" can cause internal heat.

Additionally, new tea has a high content of tea polyphenols and caffeine, which can easily irritate the stomach. If consumed frequently, it may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. People with sensitive stomachs should drink less green tea that has been stored for less than half a month after processing. It is also worth noting that not all types of tea are better when new; for example, black teas like Pu-erh require proper aging to achieve a better quality.

Misconception Two: The more expensive the tea, the better

The price of tea is determined by its quality and grade. Quality mainly refers to its origin and tea plant variety, while grade is mainly related to the time and part of the leaf picked—buds, one bud and one leaf, or one bud and two leaves can have significant price differences. For example, among Longjing teas, the "pre-Qingming" tea, picked before the Qingming Festival, is the most expensive. Wang Qing, Executive Vice President of the China Tea Marketing Association, believes that the public does not necessarily need to buy high-end tea and can choose based on their personal budget and taste preference. A price range of 100-300 yuan per jin (500g) can already buy very good quality tea. It is recommended to focus on quality rather than grade when purchasing. Some high-grade teas are picked too early and are too tender, while some of the nutrients in tea are actually in the stems. Therefore, some cheaper teas can have better health benefits.

Misconception Three: Tea can sober you up

Drinking tea after alcohol has both pros and cons. Tea can accelerate the breakdown of alcohol in the body, and its diuretic effect can help excrete the byproducts, thus aiding in sobering up. However, this accelerated breakdown increases the burden on the liver and kidneys. Therefore, people with poor liver or kidney function should not use tea to sober up, and especially not drink strong tea after drinking.

Misconception Four: Drinking tea before bed affects sleep

The caffeine in tea has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, which is why it's long been said that drinking tea before bed can affect sleep. In fact, many highly fermented teas, like black tea and ripe Pu-erh, have very little caffeine left. Not only do they not affect sleep, but drinking a cup of digestive tea an hour after dinner can help clear the stomach and intestines, thereby aiding sleep.

Misconception Five: Drinking tea after a meal is best

Drinking tea immediately after a meal can easily cause the tea polyphenols to form chelates with iron and protein in the food, thus affecting the body's absorption of these nutrients. Drinking tea on an empty stomach before a meal can dilute gastric juice and affect its secretion, which is not conducive to digestion. The correct way is to wait at least half an hour, preferably one hour, after a meal before drinking tea.

Misconception Six: Drinking the same cup of tea all day

It is highly inadvisable to use a large teacup with a handful of leaves and steep it all day. You will not be able to taste the true essence of the tea, and prolonged steeping can cause heavy metals in the tea to leach out, which is unhealthy. When drinking tea, it is essential to separate the leaves from the water. Even without professional tea sets, you can prepare a teapot or teacup with a strainer.

Misconception Seven: Tea must be rinsed, and the first infusion should not be drunk

Whether the first infusion of tea can be drunk depends on the type of tea. If it is a black tea or oolong tea, it should be quickly rinsed with boiling water, and then the water should be discarded. This serves both to "wash" the tea and to warm it up, which helps the aroma to be released. However, for green tea, black tea, etc., this step is not necessary.

There are many small things for detoxification and health preservation that are especially suitable for drinking in spring. They are cheap, effective, and can be prepared simply by steeping in hot water. For the health of yourself and your family, be sure to take a good look.

Four "Miraculous" Infusions for Health

Job's Tears and Goji Berry Tea

Goji Berry Infusion

Main Functions: Goji berries have strong health benefits, nourishing the body and skin, and protecting and nourishing the liver.

Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes: Goji berries can lower blood sugar, soften blood vessels, and reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, offering some therapeutic effect for diabetics.

Reduces Facial Wrinkles: Goji berries have excellent anti-aging effects. Drinking goji berry infusion regularly can slow down facial aging and improve wrinkles. The rich polysaccharides, vitamin E, selenium, and flavonoids in goji berries are also very helpful for skin antioxidants.

Liver Protection and Nourishment: The polysaccharides in goji berries provide excellent protection for the liver, can reduce serum alanine aminotransferase, promote the repair of liver damage, and help the liver function normally.

Lotus Leaf Infusion

Main Functions: Lotus leaf has the effects of calming liver fire, clearing heat and calming the mind, clearing summer heat and promoting urination, as well as health benefits.

Lowers "Highs": Drinking lotus leaf infusion can improve the "highs"—high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and high cholesterol—without side effects, making it suitable for long-term consumption.

Clears Summer Heat and Promotes Urination: Processed lotus leaf has a slightly salty taste and is considered cooling. It has the effect of clearing summer heat and promoting urination and is effective for many common ailments.

Health Benefits: Lotus leaf infusion is very beneficial for the liver, spleen, stomach, and heart. It is suitable for the elderly as a daily beverage.

Beauty-Rose Tea

Rose Infusion

Main Functions: Roses have effects on slimming, beautifying the skin, and regulating menstruation.

Body Slimming: Rose tea is truly a top-tier floral tea. Drinking it long-term can help break down grease, reduce the accumulation of body fat, and provide plant fiber, gradually helping the body become slimmer.

Detoxification and Blackhead Removal: Roses have a certain detoxifying effect. Long-term consumption leads to finer skin and fewer facial blackheads.

Menstrual Regulation: Regulating menstruation is very important and should not be overlooked. Many women suffer from dysmenorrhea and irregular periods. By drinking rose tea, a woman's qi and blood will gradually become smoother, and common problems like a dull complexion and physical discomfort during menstruation will be greatly improved.

Chrysanthemum Infusion

Main Functions: Chrysanthemums have effects of clearing the liver and brightening the eyes, protecting vision, and detoxifying and reducing inflammation.

Prevents Colds and Sore Throat: Infusing chrysanthemums with honeysuckle and jasmine can clear heat and toxins, preventing wind-heat colds, sore throats, and carbuncles. Regular consumption can also reduce "internal heat" and have a calming effect.

Restores Vision: Drinking a cup of chrysanthemum tea can relieve eye fatigue. Drinking three to four cups daily can also help restore vision. Friends who often use their phones should definitely give it a try.

Resists Radiation: Drinking more chrysanthemum tea in daily life helps prevent radiation. Office workers who often work in front of a computer should drink more chrysanthemum tea to counteract computer radiation.