7 Powerful Traditional Chinese Herbal Tea Ingredients & Benefits

Guided by Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal teas are recipes of single or several herbs and tea brewed to treat or prevent ailments. The herbs used in herbal teas are tea leaves, aromatic plants such as ginger and cinnamon, as well as fresh or dried roots, barks, flowers leaves and fruits that dissolve their active ingredients when brewed.

Here is a list of 7 commonly used ingredients in the recipes of Chinese herbal teas. What are their uses in Chinese medicine? Let’s find out!

Honeysuckle

Clears away heat and toxins

The medicinal part is the flower buds of the plant. Honeysuckle is anti-inflammatory, usually used in the treatment of inflammation of the throat, respiratory infections, fever, high blood lipids, pneumonia, and acute inflammation of the eye. It can also prevent stomach ulcers.

Honeysuckle can be steeped together with rose buds, as shown in the video below:

Goji berry

Nourishes the liver and kidneys, brightens the eyes

Goji berry has the ability to enhance immune function, delay ageing, anti-tumour, lower blood lipids, protect the liver and promote blood production. It is used for the treatment of fatigue, body aches and pains, dizziness, anaemia and dimming of the eyes.

Below 2 great videos recipes to brew goji together with ginger or chrysanthemum flowers

Jujube

Nourishes the blood and calms the mind

The used part is the ripe fruits of jujube. It has a protective effect on the liver, strengthens muscles, is anti-fatigue, anti-tumour and calms the mind. Used for treating spleen deficiency, lack of appetite, weak blood flow and diarrhea.

Licorice

Tonifies the spleen, relieves cough and reduces phlegm

The medicinal part is the root of the licorice. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-allergic reaction and anti-viral. It promotes pancreatic secretion and regulates immune function. It treats weakness of the spleen and stomach, cough and asthma, sores, abdominal pain, and moderates the potent nature of other drugs.

Chrysanthemum

Clears heat, calms the mind, calms the liver and brightens the eyes.

The parts used are the chrysanthemum flowers. It has antibacterial, antiviral and calming effects. Used for treating fever and colds, anxiety, redness and swelling of the eyes, headache and vertigo.

Ginseng

A great tonic for the vital energy, nourishes the body and calms the mind

The medicinal part of the ginseng is the root. It regulates the central nervous system, improves the immune function, strengthens the heart, resists shock, increases secretion of adrenal cortical hormones, regulates blood sugar levels, inhibits absorption of cholesterol, anti-tumour, and delays ageing. It is used to treat symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, cough, insomnia, palpitation and impotence.

Rose

Relieves depression and pain

The parts used are the buds of the rose flower. It is used to treat disorders of the liver and stomach, menstrual disorders, bruises and pains. Its active ingredients can enhance the functioning of the liver and invigorate the blood to relieve pain, so it is useful for treating cosmetic symptoms such as facial discolouration caused by stagnant blood flow.

Rose buds are also great to scent white teas: