In my medical career, I have often encountered questions from patients about their daily diet and health management, especially about how to improve their health through natural food. Tea, as an indispensable part of Chinese daily life, is often mentioned. Not only because of its refreshing effect, but also because it is believed to "open up the meridians of the human body". This reminds me of a small story in an outpatient clinic, and it is also an important turning point in my understanding of the relationship between tea and meridians. It was a late spring and early summer afternoon, and a middle-aged lady came to my office in a hurry. Her face was pale, her brow furrowed, and she clearly felt her body unwell. Through the conversation, I learned that she has been under a lot of pressure at work lately, often feeling tired, and has mild headaches and insomnia. When she first visited, she specifically mentioned that she had tried many ways to alleviate these symptoms, including taking some conventional Western medicines, but none of them worked very well.
Considering her constitution and symptoms, I suggest that she try to adjust her diet, especially to introduce some specific types of tea. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, different tea leaves can be classified into different meridians, and the effect of improving physical condition can be achieved by regulating these meridians. For example, green tea clears away heat and detoxifies, and improves pharynx, which is suitable for the heart and lung meridians, while black tea warms and invigorates qi, aids digestion, and returns to the spleen and stomach meridians. After explaining in detail the relationship between these tea leaves and the meridians, she chose to start drinking green tea every day, supplemented by a moderate amount of black tea. A few weeks later, she came to my office again, her face much more rosy and her mental state improved significantly. She was pleasantly surprised to tell me that since adjusting to drinking tea, not only has her sleep quality improved, but her headaches have also been alleviated. Through this case, I am even more convinced of the effectiveness of tea in regulating the meridians and improving health.
Tea basics and meridian theory
Types and characteristics of tea
Tea, one of the most popular non-alcoholic beverages worldwide, comes in a wide variety of varieties, and each tea has its own unique flavor, aroma, and health benefits. Depending on the degree of fermentation and treatment, it can be divided into six main categories: Green tea - the least fermented, which retains the natural green color of the tea leaves, is rich in antioxidants, helps fight inflammation, and reduces the risk of heart disease. Black Tea (often referred to as black tea in the West) - A fully fermented tea with a richer flavor and higher caffeine than green tea, which helps to refresh the mind. Black tea (e.g. pu-erh) - Post-fermented tea that has undergone microbial fermentation to aid digestion and is commonly used for weight loss. White Tea - Very low fermentation, silvery color, high concentration of antioxidants and low caffeine, suitable for people who are sensitive to caffeine. Yellow Tea - The degree of fermentation is between green tea and black tea, with a bright yellow color and a sweet taste. Green Tea (Oolong Tea) - A semi-fermented tea that combines the freshness of green tea with the mellowness of black tea to help lower blood pressure and improve skin texture.
Theoretical Foundations of Meridians
In TCM theory, meridians are regarded as an important part of the human body, the pathway connecting the internal organs with the external limbs, and the path for the flow of qi and blood. The meridians include the 12 meridians and the 8 odd meridians, which are the key factors affecting human health. Twelve meridians: including the three yin and three yang meridians in the hands and feet, which belong to the lungs, heart, pericardium, small intestine, stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder, kidney, large intestine, and three jiao. Eight Qi meridians: including Chong, Ren, Du, Belt and other veins, which have the effect of regulating the twelve meridians and protecting the body's health. The meridians are not only responsible for transporting qi and blood, but are also closely related to the body's immune, regulation, sensing and other functions. Healthy meridians can ensure the smooth flow of qi and blood, otherwise, it may cause physical discomfort or illness.
The association of tea with the meridians
Different kinds of tea, through their unique chemical composition, act on the meridian system of the human body, which can regulate qi and blood, balance yin and yang, so as to achieve the effect of health care. For example: Green tea: It acts on the meridians of the heart and lungs, which can help clean up the body of heat and toxins and relieve sore throats. Black tea: It mainly affects the spleen and stomach meridians, aids digestion, and enhances the body's energy production. Black tea: It has a good effect on the meridians of the intestines, can promote the digestion and absorption function of the intestines, and is suitable for weight management. White tea: It mainly acts on the meridians of the lungs, helps anti-aging, and strengthens the respiratory system. Yellow Tea: Balances on multiple meridians and has the effect of harmonizing body functions. Green tea: its semi-fermented nature allows it to act on blood pressure-lowering meridians, such as the liver meridian. By choosing and drinking a variety of teas reasonably, you can not only enjoy its unique flavor, but also achieve the purpose of enhancing your physical fitness and preventing diseases by regulating your meridians. In daily life, understanding your physique and needs, and choosing the type of tea that suits you is a simple and effective way to maintain health.
The meridian path of different tea leaves
1. Green Tea: Clears away heat and detoxifies, and benefits the throat — return to the heart and lungs
Green tea has a fragrant taste and cool nature, and is often used to clear heat, detoxify and refresh the mind. It is mainly attributed to the heart and lungs and can help relieve discomfort caused by internal heat or external evils, such as sore throats or mouth sores. In addition, green tea is rich in antioxidants that purify the blood, thereby protecting heart and lung health.
2. Black Tea: Warm and invigorate qi, help digestion - return to the spleen and stomach meridians
Black tea (also known as black tea, often called black tea in the West) has a high degree of fermentation, fragrant taste, and warm nature, which is suitable for drinking in cold weather. It mainly belongs to the spleen and stomach meridians, which can help strengthen the spleen and stomach and regulate the digestive system. Drinking black tea regularly can help increase appetite and reduce symptoms of abdominal coldness and indigestion.
3. Black Tea: Weight Loss, Lipid Lowering — Returns to the intestinal meridians
Black tea is a type of tea that has undergone a special fermentation process, of which Pu'er tea is the most well-known. Its meridian pathway is mainly intestinal related meridians, which help to lose weight and lower blood lipids. The microbial fermentation products in black tea are beneficial to the large intestine, promoting intestinal health, aiding digestion and detoxification.
4. White Tea: Anti-aging, improve immunity — return to the lungs and large intestine meridians
White tea is mild in nature and retains more of its natural botanicals, especially antioxidants. Returning to the lungs and large intestines, white tea can help remove free radicals in the body and delay cell aging. Drinking white tea regularly can help boost the immune system and prevent colds and other respiratory diseases.
5. Yellow Tea: Reconciles the body constitution and promotes metabolism — returns to the spleen
In the process of making Liver Jing Yellow Tea, it has undergone a unique stuffy yellow process, making its composition and properties between green tea and black tea. Yellow tea returns to the spleen meridian and liver meridian, which is suitable for people with weak constitution and unstable liver function. It can reconcile the body, promote fat metabolism, and improve the liver's ability to detoxify.
6. Green Tea (Oolong Tea): Strengthens physical strength and improves fatigue — return to the heart
Liver meridian green tea, also known as oolong tea, semi-fermented tea, combines the characteristics of green tea and black tea. It mainly affects the heart and liver meridians, which can help relieve mental stress, enhance physical strength and improve fatigue. The active ingredients in oolong tea, such as caffeine and tea polyphenols, help to increase metabolic rate and burn body fat.
A practical guide for everyday life
1. Choose the right tea
Green Tea: Suitable for people who need to clear away heat and detoxify, refresh their minds. Drinking green tea regularly can help clean up the body of heat and toxins, and is suitable for people with bad breath and sore throat. Black tea: suitable for people with indigestion and need to warm and nourish qi. Black tea is warm, which can help improve gastrointestinal function and enhance digestion. Black tea: suitable for people who need to lose weight and need to lower blood lipids. Black tea can help regulate the intestines and promote lipolysis. White tea: suitable for people with low immunity and need anti-aging. White tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help fight off viruses and slow down aging. Yellow tea: suitable for people with sensitive stomach and need to reconcile their physique. Yellow tea has a moderate degree of fermentation, is relatively mild, and does not irritate the stomach. Green tea (oolong tea): suitable for people who are obese and need to increase their metabolism. Oolong tea has the effect of breaking down fat, and it is suitable for drinking after meals.
2. The right brewing method
Water temperature: In general, green tea is best at around 80°C, black tea and black tea are suitable for near-boiling water (about 95°C to 100°C), white tea and yellow tea are suitable for 85°C to 90°C, and green tea is best around 95°C. Tea volume: In general, use 3-5 grams of tea leaves per 200 ml of water. It can be increased or decreased according to personal taste. Tea brewing time: green tea should be short but not long, usually 1-3 minutes, black tea, white tea, yellow tea is recommended for 3-5 minutes, black tea and green tea can be adjusted according to personal preference, more than 5 minutes can better release the aroma of tea.
3. Recommended time and frequency of drinking
Morning: A mild cup of white or green tea can help wake up the body and kick-start the metabolism for the day. After lunch: A cup of oolong or black tea to help digest the lunch and refresh the mind. After dinner: A cup of black or yellow tea to aid digestion without affecting sleep. Frequency: 3 times a day, 1 cup (about 200-300 ml) each time, adjust the amount of drink according to individual body constitution. With the above guidelines, you can choose the right tea for your body type and needs, and maximize the health benefits of tea with the right brewing method and the right time to drink it. Remember, the right one is the best, and choose the right tea for your current health status as a way to adjust and optimize your meridian health.