Many people enjoy chrysanthemum tea. Drinking it in moderation can bring many health benefits, but there are also many things to pay attention to when drinking tea. How to choose chrysanthemum tea? Can everyone drink it? How to drink it for health benefits?
I. Tips for Selecting Chrysanthemum Tea
1. Do not choose chrysanthemums that are too bright or beautiful, as they may have been fumigated with sulfur. Chrysanthemums treated with sulfur will have a sulfur smell when brewed with boiling water. Choose fresh chrysanthemums with a calyx that is slightly green.
2. Do not choose chrysanthemums that are dull in color. These are old, damp chrysanthemums that may have even grown mold. Eating such chrysanthemums is harmful to your health.
3. Touch them with your hand. Soft and smooth chrysanthemums are better. If the petals are not messy or falling off, it indicates that the chrysanthemums were picked soon after they bloomed.
4. The quality of chrysanthemums at wet markets is not guaranteed. Chrysanthemums from large hospitals or pharmacies come in individual packaging, have a fast turnover, and are inspected by pharmacists, so their quality is relatively guaranteed. People with a cold stomach or a pale complexion should not eat chrysanthemums. For other healthy individuals, three to five grams of chrysanthemum at a time, twice a day, is enough. Chrysanthemum tea should not be consumed for long periods; continuous drinking should not exceed two months. If you experience loose stools or a pale complexion during this time, you should stop.
II. Contraindications for Chrysanthemum Tea
1. Pregnant Women
Chrysanthemum tea is cold in nature and sweet, and has a good effect of removing internal heat. However, during pregnancy, the body's immunity decreases and the spleen and stomach are relatively weak. Drinking cold chrysanthemum tea can easily irritate the stomach and cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, which can adversely affect the healthy development of the fetus.
2. People with Allergic Constitutions
For people with allergic constitutions, there are many types of allergens, and some people may be allergic to chrysanthemum tea. Once these allergic people drink chrysanthemum tea, they will experience allergic symptoms such as skin redness and swelling, and rashes. Therefore, people with this constitution are prone to side effects from drinking chrysanthemum tea, which is not good for their health.
3. People with a Cold Constitution
People with a cold constitution often have symptoms of aversion to cold, a weak spleen and stomach, and low immunity. They are prone to symptoms like cold hands and feet, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal discomfort even in summer. Chrysanthemum tea is cold in nature and will aggravate these symptoms, which is not good for health.
4. The Elderly and Children
Chrysanthemum tea has the effect of lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Generally, drinking it in summer is not a big problem. However, due to the decline in digestive function and a weak spleen and stomach in the elderly, drinking chrysanthemum tea can easily cause gastrointestinal discomfort, so it should be consumed with caution. Children are in a period of rapid growth and development, and their vital energy (yang) is at its peak. Drinking chrysanthemum tea has the effect of depleting this vital energy, so it is best to drink it less.
5. People with Cold and Flu
Cold and flu are mostly caused by exposure to cold, so cold chrysanthemum tea is not suitable for such patients. In addition, people with a cold accompanied by pharyngitis should also avoid drinking chrysanthemum tea, as it can stimulate increased gastric acid secretion, easily aggravating the symptoms of pharyngitis, delaying the patient's recovery time, and reducing the quality of recovery.
III. How to Drink Chrysanthemum Tea for Health Benefits
1. Brew with boiling water and add less sugar
When brewing chrysanthemum tea, generally choose about five chrysanthemum flowers, then add an appropriate amount of boiling water to brew. A cup of chrysanthemum tea can be rebrewed five to seven times. Some people add rock sugar or honey to chrysanthemum tea for flavor, but if you are diabetic or have high blood sugar, try not to add sugar when drinking chrysanthemum tea. People with a weak spleen and stomach should also avoid adding sugar to chrysanthemum tea, because sweet foods and beverages can cause a sour taste in the mouth and increased saliva, which can easily lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.
2. Pair with Hawthorn, Honeysuckle, and Goji Berries
In addition to brewing and drinking directly, chrysanthemum tea can also be paired with other health-promoting ingredients to not only improve the taste but also obtain different health benefits. Hawthorn helps to reduce fat and lower blood pressure, suitable for people with obesity and hypertension; Honeysuckle can relieve wind-heat cold and sore throat; Goji berries clear the liver and improve eyesight. These ingredients are all suitable for brewing tea with chrysanthemums.