What can vine tea be steeped with for drinking?

Generally, vine tea (藤茶) has a cool nature and sweet taste, making it suitable to steep with wolfberry, chrysanthemum, honeysuckle, tangerine peel, licorice, and other ingredients. Different combinations can produce complementary health benefits. The specific analysis is as follows:

1. Wolfberry: Wolfberry is neutral in nature and sweet in taste, known for nourishing the liver and kidneys. When combined with the cooling vine tea, it helps moderate some of its cold properties. This pairing retains vine tea's effects of clearing heat and promoting body fluid production, while benefiting from wolfberry’s ability to tonify the liver and kidneys. It is suitable for daily wellness use and helps relieve fatigue.

2. Chrysanthemum: Chrysanthemum is slightly cold in nature and effective in clearing liver heat, improving vision, and detoxifying the body. When paired with vine tea, their combined effect enhances heat-clearing and fire-reducing actions. This combination is particularly beneficial for symptoms caused by excessive liver fire, such as red, painful eyes and dry mouth. It can also help alleviate discomfort from heat and stuffiness during summer.

3. Honeysuckle: Honeysuckle is cold in nature and known for clearing heat, detoxifying, and dispelling wind-heat. When used with vine tea, it enhances the effect of clearing heat and removing dampness. This makes it ideal for individuals experiencing internal damp-heat or early-stage wind-heat感冒 (common cold), helping to relieve sore throat, swelling, and dry mouth.

4. Tangerine Peel: Tangerine peel is warm in nature and pungent in taste, aiding digestion, regulating qi, strengthening the spleen, drying dampness, and resolving phlegm. It helps counteract the cold nature of vine tea, reducing potential irritation to the spleen and stomach. It also assists in eliminating internal dampness, making it suitable for those with weak digestive function who still wish to consume vine tea.

5. Licorice: Licorice is neutral and sweet, known for replenishing vital energy, strengthening the middle burner, and harmonizing various ingredients. When combined with vine tea, it reduces the astringent bitterness of the tea, protects the gastric mucosa, and minimizes mild gastrointestinal irritation, resulting in a milder and more pleasant drinking experience.

When preparing these herbal infusions, it is important to be aware of contraindications and precautions. Avoid excessive consumption of combinations that are overly cooling in nature. Individuals with a cold constitution should reduce the amount of vine tea used. Always choose appropriate combinations based on your individual body constitution to ensure both safety and effectiveness.