What tea should one drink to remove dampness?
Dec 17, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
When removing dampness, you may choose to drink red bean and coix seed tea, poria tea, lotus leaf tea, aged tangerine peel tea, or ginger tea. These teas have functions such as promoting diuresis and reducing edema, strengthening the spleen and calming the mind, clearing heat and relieving summerheat, regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, as well as relieving exterior symptoms and dispersing cold. They can be used to alleviate discomfort caused by excessive dampness, such as sticky stool and thick tongue coating. However, selection should be based on individual conditions and consumption should be moderate.
Generally, to remove dampness, one can choose to drink red bean and coix seed tea, poria tea, lotus leaf tea, aged tangerine peel tea, or ginger tea. The details are as follows:
1. Red Bean and Coix Seed Tea
Red bean and coix seed tea mainly consists of red beans and coix seeds, both of which have functions of eliminating dampness and reducing swelling, clearing heat, and relieving jaundice. Meanwhile, coix seeds can also strengthen the spleen, drain dampness, alleviate obstruction in the channels, and stop diarrhea. Drinking this tea can help the body eliminate dampness, improve discomfort caused by excessive dampness, such as sticky stool and thick tongue coating.
2. Poria Tea
Poria tea is made by steeping dried poria, a type of traditional Chinese herb, which has effects of promoting diuresis to remove dampness, strengthening the spleen, and calming the mind. Additionally, it can assist in improving spleen and stomach functions, help the body accelerate metabolism, and alleviate symptoms caused by excessive dampness, such as dizziness and limb fatigue.
3. Lotus Leaf Tea
Lotus leaf tea can be prepared using either dried or fresh lotus leaves and has effects of clearing heat to relieve summerheat, uplifting clear yang energy, cooling the blood, and stopping bleeding. It can promote metabolism and aid in expelling dampness from the body. Moreover, lotus leaf can relieve heat related to summerheat and alleviate symptoms such as fever and headache.
4. Aged Tangerine Peel Tea
Aged tangerine peel tea is made by steeping aged tangerine peel that has been sun-dried or roasted. It helps regulate qi, strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, and resolve phlegm. Drinking aged tangerine peel tea in moderation can enhance the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach, improving discomfort caused by excessive dampness, such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
5. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea can be made by boiling slices of old ginger. It has functions of relieving exterior syndromes, dispersing cold, warming the middle jiao, and stopping vomiting. If symptoms such as cold hands and feet or body swelling occur due to excessive dampness, ginger tea can be consumed in moderation. Those who find the taste too spicy can add an appropriate amount of brown sugar.
It should be noted that although the above teas may help eliminate dampness, selections should be made according to individual conditions, as the effects vary from person to person. Additionally, it is important to drink them in moderation to avoid discomfort caused by excessive consumption.
