Supplements for health, fitness and longevity include a range of Chinese teas
The origin of tea was China. The Zhuo (1034-246 BC), Qin (361-296 BC), and Han (206 BC-226 AD) dynasties embodied extensive tea consumption. The use of tea for medicinal, nutritional, health, fitness and longevity purposes is determined through ‘Wuxing’ or the 5 Element School System (TCM) that underpins Traditional Chinese Medicine , acupuncture, massage, health Qigong, Feng Shui, body maintenance, Wu-Shu-Kung Fu, use of Chinese herbs and more.
Whether purchased in boxes of sachets or luscious crystallized blocks, Chinese tea involves a staggering array of shapes, flavors, textures, herbs, and nutritional ingredients. Applications, including for health, youth and longevity, are guaranteed by the long history of traditional Chinese medicine. The history of the 5 Elements or ‘Wuxing’ is even longer.
Drunk at home or at work, Chinese tea is a delight. Consumed in tea houses as ‘Up Tea!’ Situated on Little Newport Street is London’s Chinatown, so drinking tea can be a delightful experience.
Tea, Health and Wuxing
The 5 Element ‘Wuxing’ School links each of the body’s 5 major internal organs (and much more) to the Elements as follows: spleen (Earth) lungs (Metal) kidneys (Water) liver (Wood) and heart (Fire). Wuxing is a proven internal and external balance health system. Many teas include remedies to cure or prevent common ailments, or promote optimal health, youth and longevity that stem from the 5 Element system still in popular and official use today.
INSTANT CHRYSANTHEMUM DRINK (ju hua cha)
This chrysanthemum tea includes 45% dried flower extract crystallized over 55% cane sugar. Chrysanthemum tea treats irritation and inflammation in the lungs, nasal passages, and throat through its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It also promotes better vision and helps cleanse the liver in particular.
Wuxing students learn how the eyes and liver are interconnected, correspond to the Wood Element, and can be naturally nourished by ju hua cha. They also practice 5 Element Qigong routines with similar effects.
TIEN-CHI (Heavenly Energy) GINSENG FLOWER TEA (ren shen cha)
The Tien-chi Ginseng (Panax pseudoginseng) variety of ginseng tea from Southwest China is grown mainly in Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. The root of the Tien-chi plant is used as a health product to regulate blood circulation. The flower functions as a heat and toxin cleansing herb used to reduce inflammation, feverishness, skin rashes and sore throat.
XIAMEN GREEN TEA (fighting)
Green tea stimulates the heart in particular, aids digestion and eliminates fatigue. Encouraging the body to metabolize more fat and therefore widely used in dieting and slimming, green tea also promotes longevity and general detoxification of the body.
However, as it slightly inhibits the absorption of iron from the diet, people with anemia and women should avoid green tea during their menstrual period.
JASMINE FLOWER TEA (mo li hua cha)
There are several different varieties of jasmine tea, including green, jade, or black. Good for oral hygiene and palate cleansing (before, after, or during a meal), Jasmine Tea’s highly aromatic calming nature also stimulates digestion, promotes relaxation, and helps prevent insomnia.
MORNING STAR GINGER DRINK (sheng jiang cha)
Ginger tea stimulates and balances the activity of the heart, lungs and spleen in particular and helps the balanced functioning of the 5 main internal organs as a system in a tonic way. Its antibacterial properties also make it a popular cold and flu remedy.
LUO HAN GUO EXTRACT TEA (luo han cha)
Luo Han Guo (luohanguo), also known as ‘monk fruit’ (one of many longevity bonds) is a member of the gourd plant family and a fruit known for its sweet taste. Luo han cha. It is also well known medicinally for treating coughs and sore throats and also for promoting longevity. Luohanguo has more recently become a low-calorie sweetener.
When brewed, this dark brown, caramel-flavored tea can be drunk hot or cold.
CHONG JI TEA 5 FLOWER (wu hua cha)
This blend of 5 Chinese medicinal herbs cleanses internal heat, stimulates diuresis and detoxification. It can also be used to treat eye pain, sore throat, dysentery, and constipation. Delivered concentrated on cane sugar crystals, it has a pleasant caramel flavor.
general
Drinking Chinese tea according to the elemental theory improves health, youth, and longevity in many related ways. 5 Elements Qigong provides internal breathing and external massage routines for the same purposes.
The above brands and types of tea can be easily purchased at local Chinese supermarkets. The Chinese names of the teas appear in parentheses. They’re all inexpensive, great value for money, authentic, and offer the real “trash thrill”!