Role of Tea in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine uses the physiology and pathology of the human body in order for it to help heal itself according to www. wikipedia.com. Thus basic traditional Chinese medicine highlights two features or paths: (1) Holistic [view as a whole] vision and (2) treatment of identifying causes. All body organs work differently, but in conjunction with each other. Disruption to regular functions cause disease, the body is more than a single entity, but one with nature.

Tea, according to the Natural Herbs Guide (www.naturalherbsguide.com), is second only to water and is the most consumed drink in the world. All forms of tea has antioxidants because they all contain polyphenols and thus considered to be one of the most satisfying and helpful of herbal supplements.

Further, the National Herbs Guide states that traditional Chinese medicine employs warming and cooling factors in the teas themselves. White and Green Teas, while often enjoyed chilled during summer, are considered cooling teas and are used for cleansing and detoxification as well as skin rashes and some allergies. The people at Amazing Green Tea (www.amazing-green-tea.com) further indicate that based upon the person, cooling teas may also help ease irritated stomachs, nausea and even heartburn. Red and Black Teas are considered warming teas and are employed in helping with digestive health and can be used as an anti-inflammatory. Warming teas can also help increase a slow metabolism, uplift a person from depression and even fight fatigue.

Not only should the tea be considered states the National Herbs Guide, but one should also consider the season and time of day in which to consume either a warming or cooling tea and they offer the following suggestions: (1) During the Spring and Summer, cooling teas should be consumed in order to help with cleansing and help fight against allergies; (2) While during the Fall and Winter, warming teas should be consumed to help speed one's metabolism as well as prevent fatigue and weakness. Proper time of day should be noted as follows: (a) Morning, one should consume cooling teas to help cleanse the body from nighttime impurities; (b) Between meals, one should drink tea to help with breathing problems and arthritis; (c) During meals, the tea that should be consumed is a warming tea that will help with digestion; and (d) finally during the night, just before bed time one should consume a warming tea to help fight depression, help eyes as well as fight menopause and hot flashes.

As the number one herbal supplemental, teas in all there forms can help a person's body, but as always, one should consult their physician before starting a regime of herbal supplements.