There is an ever-increasing variety of herbal teas on the market. Not only are they fragrant and beautifully colored, but more importantly, every herbal tea contains natural nutrients that can nourish and strengthen the body. However, to drink them healthily, one must choose according to their own physical constitution and needs…
Lily Flower:
Botanically, the lily flower is from the Liliaceae family, referring to its dried blossoms. Its main characteristic is its high vitamin content, including a variety of vitamins and some minerals. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, its nature is cooling, and it has the effect of relieving coughs and reducing phlegm. Its medicinal properties are also gentle. Therefore, drinking lily flower tea in the summer is beneficial. When brewing, first pay attention to the amount: herbal teas are generally more bitter than regular tea, so only 2-3 grams are needed. It's best to use boiling water. First, pour a small amount of water into the cup. This serves two purposes: one is to moisten the dried flowers, allowing their flavor to dissolve more easily in the water, and the other is to rinse the flowers, resulting in a better taste. After steeping for 10 minutes, it is ready to drink. Lily flower tea has the effects of calming the mind, improving intelligence, moistening the lungs, and relieving coughs. Of course, if you find the tea too bitter, you can add a small amount of honey, but diabetics should not.
Osmanthus:
In addition to lily flower tea, osmanthus is another one we often drink. So, is osmanthus really suitable for drinking in the summer? From a TCM perspective, osmanthus is considered pungent and warm. It can be paired with green tea or oolong tea. This way, the pungent and warm nature of osmanthus is balanced by the cool nature of green tea, making it ideal for people with a weak spleen and stomach who still want to drink tea. The amount of osmanthus used for each brew should not be too much, and the water temperature should not be too high, generally around 85°C. Osmanthus does not need to be rinsed. First, pour a small amount of water to moisten the flowers and tea, then fill the glass cup to the top. Steep for 2 to 3 minutes before drinking. Adding osmanthus to green tea in the summer not only enhances its fragrance but also helps eliminate bad breath, a method that is very convenient and effective. In the summer, many people experience dry skin or a hoarse voice due to "heatiness" (a concept in TCM). Regularly drinking osmanthus green tea or osmanthus oolong tea can also help alleviate these issues.
Nasturtium:
Among herbal teas, nasturtium is another commonly consumed one. Nasturtium is known as "Longjing Beyond the Great Wall," and there's a saying, "It is better to taste three blossoms than to drink two ounces of tea." When brewed, the tea is clear and bright with a delicate fragrance. However, this herbal tea should be consumed with great caution. Because nasturtium belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, it has a certain degree of toxicity. From a TCM perspective, its characteristics are bitter and cold, meaning it has a bitter taste and a cooling nature, and it has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. When drinking it, one must be careful not to consume too much, as "all medicines have some toxicity." In particular, those who are diagnosed by TCM as having a "cold spleen and stomach" (e.g., their stomach feels uncomfortable after eating something cold, and their digestive function is not generally good) are strongly advised to be cautious and not drink it. However, it has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, nourishing the liver and improving eyesight, and refreshing the mind. Therefore, it is suitable for people who, according to TCM, have "excess heat syndrome"—those who easily get "heatiness" and frequently have a sore throat. These people are generally robust. Nasturtium has medicinal properties, so when brewing and drinking, the amount should not be excessive; a maximum of three flowers per time is enough. When brewed, the nasturtium blossoms open, making it ornamental, but its taste is rather bitter. You can add an appropriate amount of white sugar or rock sugar to adjust the flavor. Drinking nasturtium has a certain effect on treating respiratory tract inflammation, such as stomatitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis.
Marigold:
Marigold, in the world of herbal teas, is one that is beneficial for lowering blood sugar and for the gastrointestinal tract. In terms of its effects, marigold can lower blood sugar, inhibit gastric emptying, and relieve gastrointestinal spasms, making it very beneficial for the digestive system as it promotes digestion. When brewing marigold, first rinse the flowers with a small amount of water, then fill the cup and steep for 10 minutes before drinking. However, the amount of marigold used is also important. Do not drink it in large quantities. This light bitterness can promote gastric acid secretion, whet the appetite, and increase it. If the bitterness is too strong, it can cause vomiting, so it is recommended not to brew it too strongly. After brewing marigold, you can add rock sugar or honey to adjust the flavor. Drinking a cup when you have a cold has a diuretic and fever-reducing effect, but pregnant women should not drink it. When the weather is very hot, you can chill the brewed herbal tea in the refrigerator for a better taste. If you can't finish it all at once, store it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life by 1-2 days, but it should not be consumed after more than 3 days.