As the scorching summer arrives, tea drinks and herbal teas containing heat-clearing and detoxifying ingredients such as honeysuckle and chrysanthemum are becoming all the rage. Experts remind that while herbal teas can clear heat and toxins, they are not suitable for everyone. Those with a 'cold spleen and stomach' should be especially cautious.
Mr. Li is a big fan of a certain type of heat-relieving herbal tea. For the past half-month, due to the hot weather, he has been drinking at least one can a day. Afterwards, he found he couldn't eat anymore. His wife quickly told him to stop drinking the herbal tea, and in a few days, his appetite returned to normal.
Experts explain that the medicinal herbs used in herbal teas often have effects of clearing heat, replenishing qi, nourishing yin, and suppressing yang. Their sourcing principle is "medicine and food from the same source," meaning they can be used as both medicine and food to ensure safety. However, medicinal herbs like honeysuckle, kudingcha, and chrysanthemum, which are used as food, also possess the four natures and five flavors of traditional Chinese medicine. Their nature and taste are mostly acrid, sweet, and cool. If consumed in large quantities, while clearing summer heat, they can also cause functional disorders in organs like the spleen and stomach.
Experts state: People with poor constitutions or a 'deficient and cold spleen and stomach' should drink herbal teas with caution, otherwise they may experience indigestion, stomach pain, or even loss of appetite. Especially for children with 'deficient qi of the spleen and lungs', taking these cold-natured herbal medicines can easily damage the spleen and stomach, affecting the child's healthy growth. It is also not advisable for healthy people to drink Chinese herbal tea daily. For summer heat relief, mung bean soup or green tea is a better choice.