5 Traditional Chinese Herbal Teas for Summer (and How to Make Them)
Summer is here, and with it comes heat, humidity, and fatigue.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, summer is associated with the Heart element. Too much heat can cause restlessness, poor sleep, and low energy.
The good news? You don’t need expensive supplements. These 5 herbal teas use simple ingredients you can find at any Asian grocery store or online.
- Jujube and Goji Berry Tea
Best for: Fatigue, pale complexion, cold hands and feet
Ingredients:
· 5-6 dried jujube dates
· 3 red dates (pitted)
· 1 tablespoon goji berries
Instructions: Place all ingredients in a cup. Pour boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes.
Taste: Naturally sweet. No sugar needed.
- Job’s Tears and Red Bean Tea
Best for: Heavy feeling in the body, sticky tongue coat, bloating
Ingredients:
· 20g Job’s tears (coix seed)
· 20g red beans (use the long, skinny kind, NOT regular red beans)
· 10g poria mushroom
Instructions: Soak for 2 hours. Boil for 30 minutes. Drink the liquid. Do not eat the solids.
Frequency: 2-3 times per week.
- Lily Bulb and Lotus Seed Tea
Best for: Insomnia, restlessness, dry mouth, vivid dreams
Ingredients:
· 10g dried lily bulb
· 10g lotus seeds
· 5g ophiopogon root
Instructions: Pour boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes.
- Honeysuckle and Mint Tea
Best for: Summer colds, sore throat, feeling overheated
Ingredients:
· 5g honeysuckle flower
· 3g mint leaves
· 3g licorice root
Instructions: Pour boiling water. Steep for 5 minutes only. Do not over-steep.
- Tangerine Peel and Ginger Tea
Best for: Feeling cold after AC exposure, no appetite, stomach discomfort
Ingredients:
· 5g dried tangerine peel
· 3 slices fresh ginger
· Brown sugar to taste
Instructions: Pour boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Add brown sugar if desired.
How to Choose the Right Tea for You
· Afternoon fatigue, cold hands and feet → Jujube and Goji Berry Tea
· Heavy body, sticky tongue → Job’s Tears and Red Bean Tea
· Poor sleep, restlessness → Lily Bulb and Lotus Seed Tea
· Summer colds, sore throat → Honeysuckle and Mint Tea
· Cold stomach, no appetite → Tangerine Peel and Ginger Tea
Important Reminders
- Drink all teas warm, not cold.
- Rotate between teas. Do not drink the same one every day.
- Everyone’s body is different. Stop if you feel uncomfortable.
- Pregnant women should consult their doctor first.
