Does it matter which tea you drink in which season?
Sep 23, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, the choice of tea to drink in each season is primarily based on traditional Chinese medicine principles of health preservation, and indeed involves certain considerations. The types of tea recommended for spring, summer, autumn, and winter differ, as do their respective health benefits. If any discomfort or symptoms occur, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly. For health-preserving tea consumption, one should follow the changes of the four seasons and select appropriate teas according to seasonal characteristics and individual body constitution.
Generally, choosing different types of tea for different seasons involves certain considerations, primarily based on the properties of tea and the body's varying needs throughout the year. The types of tea recommended for spring, summer, autumn, and winter differ, as do their respective health benefits. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Spring
In spring, nature revives and the body’s yang energy begins to flourish. Green tea, being cool in nature, has effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, refreshing the mind, and relieving fatigue. It helps eliminate coldness accumulated during winter. Additionally, honeysuckle tea clears heat, detoxifies, and dispels wind-heat. As influenza is common in spring, regular consumption can help boost resistance.
2. Summer
Summer is marked by excessive dampness and heat, which easily impair the spleen, as the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. This may lead to symptoms such as spleen deficiency, poor digestion, and indigestion. Coarse grain teas such as barley tea and buckwheat tea, when consumed before meals, can promote digestion and help maintain spleen and stomach health.
3. Autumn
Autumn is a dry season, making the body prone to dryness-related imbalances. Oolong tea is mild in nature—neither too cooling nor too warming—and helps moisten dryness, generate fluids, and clear residual internal heat. Additionally, white tea is neutral in nature; moderate consumption in autumn can help relieve symptoms caused by dry weather, such as dry mouth and dry skin.
4. Winter
Winter is cold, and the body’s yang energy is stored internally. Black tea (in Chinese terminology, referring to fully fermented teas like红茶) is warm in nature and helps warm the stomach, dispel cold, and promote blood and qi circulation, thereby enhancing the body’s resistance to cold. Furthermore, Pu-erh tea aids in breaking down proteins and fats in the body, helping prevent fat accumulation in the liver.
If any discomfort occurs, medical advice should be sought promptly. Tea consumption for wellness should follow the changes of the four seasons, with appropriate tea selection based on seasonal characteristics and individual body constitution.
