Spring health preservation focuses on nourishing the liver. As it is now spring, when liver fire is旺盛 (flourishing), how should one regulate and nourish it? In fact, to reduce liver fire, besides paying attention to diet and eating less greasy food, you can also drink more chrysanthemum tea.
Spring liver nourishment: drink more chrysanthemum tea
In the Five Elements, spring belongs to Wood, and among the human body's five organs, the liver also belongs to the Wood element. Therefore, the energy of spring corresponds to the liver. In spring, liver qi is flourishing and rising. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that spring is the season when the liver is dominant. Seizing this opportunity to nourish the liver can prevent yin deficiency in the summer. However, over-supplementing the liver may cause the liver fire to become too strong. If liver qi rises excessively or becomes stagnant, it can easily damage the liver. Therefore, in spring, one should eat more light foods. Congees, teas, fruits, and other such options are good choices.
Chrysanthemum is one of China's ten famous flowers. It not only has ornamental value but also excellent health benefits for diet therapy and wellness. It can be used to make tea or congee. There are many varieties of chrysanthemums, and different types have different effects. These include lowering blood lipids, reducing cholesterol, acting as an anticoagulant, providing antioxidant and anti-aging effects, protecting nerves, acting as an antidepressant, providing antibacterial and antiviral properties, having anti-tumor effects, and relieving asthma. It has an inhibitory effect on various pathogenic bacteria, such as tuberculosis bacillus. It can significantly dilate coronary arteries, increase blood flow, alleviate myocardial ischemia, enhance capillary resistance, reduce "fire" (heat), and has a certain blood pressure-lowering effect.
White chrysanthemum tea calms the liver and improves vision
However, when brewing chrysanthemum tea, note that white chrysanthemums are sweet and are effective for calming the liver and improving vision. They can be chosen if you have dry or uncomfortable eyes, but their heat-clearing ability is slightly weaker. Yellow chrysanthemums are slightly bitter and have a strong heat-clearing effect, often used to disperse wind-heat. If you have "heatiness" (上火), mouth ulcers, brewing it with water can help reduce the "fire". Wild chrysanthemums are effective for preventing and treating epidemic cerebrospinal meningitis, influenza, and venomous snake bites. When brewing chrysanthemum tea, it is best to use a transparent glass cup. Put in four or five flowers each time and brew with boiling water.