Green Tea (绿茶, Lǜ Chá) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) 🍵
Green tea (绿茶, Lǜ Chá) is regarded in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a potent herb with cooling, detoxifying, and antioxidant qualities. It is utilized for mind refreshment, digestion assistance, toxin removal, and heat-clearing.
1. TCM Properties of Green Tea
🔹 Nature (性味, Xìng Wèi): Cool (凉), Bitter (苦), Slightly Sweet (甘)🔹 Meridians (归经, Guī Jīng): Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Heart (心), Lungs (肺)🔹 Actions in TCM:✔ Clears Heat & Fire (热毒) → Cools down the body, helps with inflammation✔ Drains Dampness (祛湿) → Supports digestion, prevents bloating✔ Detoxifies the Body (解毒) → Removes toxins, good for skin health✔ Refreshes the Mind (提神) → Reduces fatigue, enhances mental clarity✔ Reduces Phlegm (化痰) → Helps with cough and congestion
2. TCM Benefits of Green Tea
🌿 A. Clears Heat & Fire (Especially for Excess Heat Conditions)
✔ Helps people who feel overheated, irritable, or have red eyes✔ Beneficial for acne, sore throat, and skin inflammation✔ Helps cool down the Liver (for those with anger, stress, or high blood pressure)
🔹 Best for: People with Heat symptoms like sore throat, headaches, acne, and irritability🔹 Not good for: People with Cold conditions (Cold digestion, fatigue, weak immunity)
🍵 B. Aids Digestion & Drains Dampness
✔ Helps break down heavy, oily foods✔ Reduces bloating and stomach discomfort✔ Removes excess Dampness (for those with sluggish digestion)
🔹 Best for: People who feel sluggish after eating fatty foods🔹 Not good for: People with a weak Stomach or those prone to diarrhea
💚 C. Detoxifies the Body & Supports Liver Health
✔ Removes toxins and helps the body cleanse naturally✔ Beneficial for Liver Heat (such as acne, high stress, or emotional tension)✔ Green tea is commonly used in TCM detox formulas
🔹 Best for: People with skin problems, Liver Heat, or toxin buildup🔹 Not good for: People with very weak digestion or Cold Stomach
🧠 D. Refreshes the Mind & Improves Focus
✔ Contains L-theanine, which calms the mind while improving alertness✔ Helps reduce stress, anxiety, and mental fog✔ Used in TCM for people with mental fatigue and focus problems
🔹 Best for: Students, office workers, or those needing mental clarity🔹 Not good for: People who are very anxious or overstimulated
☕ E. Reduces Phlegm & Helps with Respiratory Health
✔ Clears excess Phlegm from the body✔ Used in TCM formulas for coughs, colds, and mucus buildup✔ Can help with mild asthma and allergies
🔹 Best for: People with Phlegm buildup, coughs, or sinus issues🔹 Not good for: People who have a very Cold constitution
3. Who Should Avoid Green Tea in TCM? 🚫
1️⃣ People with Weak Digestion (Spleen & Stomach Deficiency) → Green tea is cooling and may weaken digestion, causing bloating or loose stools.2️⃣ People Who Are Always Cold (Yang Deficiency) → If you often feel cold, weak, or have low energy, green tea might make symptoms worse.3️⃣ Pregnant Women (in Large Amounts) → Green tea in moderation is okay, but too much may interfere with iron absorption.4️⃣ People with Insomnia or Anxiety → Green tea contains caffeine, which can disturb sleep if consumed late in the day.5️⃣ People with Low Blood Pressure → Green tea can slightly lower blood pressure, so those who already have low BP should drink it carefully.
4. How to Drink Green Tea in TCM 🍵
Best Time to Drink:
✅ Morning or early afternoon (for energy & digestion)✅ 30 minutes after meals (to aid digestion)🚫 Avoid drinking on an empty stomach (can be too cooling)🚫 Avoid drinking before bed (may cause insomnia)
How to Prepare Green Tea for TCM Benefits
✔ Use warm (not boiling) water (70-80°C) to keep its cooling properties✔ Steep for 2-3 minutes to avoid bitterness✔ Add Goji Berries (枸杞, Gǒu Qǐ) for balancing and nourishing the body
5. Green Tea in TCM Herbal Formulas
🌿 Detox & Heat-Clearing Formula
🔹 Green Tea (绿茶, Lǜ Chá) – Clears Heat & detoxifies🔹 Chrysanthemum (菊花, Jú Huā) – Cools the Liver, reduces eye strain🔹 Goji Berries (枸杞, Gǒu Qǐ) – Nourishes the Blood, balances cooling effect🔹 Licorice Root (甘草, Gān Cǎo) – Harmonizes digestion
🌟 Best for: People with acne, redness, or stress-related Heat
🍵 Green Tea for Digestion & Weight Loss
🔹 Green Tea (绿茶, Lǜ Chá) – Improves metabolism, reduces Dampness🔹 Hawthorn (山楂, Shān Zhā) – Aids digestion, breaks down fats🔹 Chen Pi (陈皮, Aged Tangerine Peel) – Improves digestion, reduces bloating🔹 Ginger (生姜, Shēng Jiāng) – Balances the cooling effect
🌟 Best for: People with sluggish digestion, bloating, or oily diet
🍵 Green Tea for Mental Clarity & Focus
🔹 Green Tea (绿茶, Lǜ Chá) – Refreshes the mind, increases focus🔹 Ginseng (人参, Rén Shēn) – Boosts energy and mental alertness🔹 Rose (玫瑰花, Méi Guī Huā) – Calms stress and soothes emotions
🌟 Best for: Students, office workers, or those with mental fatigue
Green tea, according to TCM, is a cooling, cleansing, and revitalizing plant that promotes attention, aids in digestion, clears heat and lessens phlegm. It is not appropriate for persons with poor digestion, cold symptoms, or insomnia, but it works well for those with excess heat, acne, stress, and digestive problems.
❌This information is merely informative and is not regarded as health advice.
Any medical advice or diagnosis should be sought from a specialist.⭕️
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