The Origins of Wellness Tea
The roots of wellness tea trace back to ancient China, intricately intertwined with the evolution of traditional Chinese medicine. Below is an overview of its origins and historical development:
Origins
Legend attributes the discovery of tea’s medicinal value to Shennong (the Divine Farmer) around 2737 BCE, who experimented with wild herbs—a prototype of modern wellness tea. China’s earliest pharmacopoeia, 《神农本草经》 (Shennong’s Classic of Herbal Medicine), documented over 300 medicinal plants, including flowers prized for beauty and health. Ancient Chinese artisans began blending tea leaves with herbs to craft functional beverages for vitality and longevity.
（Shennong’s Herbal Odyssey: A Legend Illustrated）
Development
Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
Wellness tea production methods advanced significantly. Physician Wang Tao detailed innovative tea-substitute recipes in 《外台秘要》 (Arcane Essentials from the Imperial Library), outlining precise herbal combinations and therapeutic applications.
（The Tang Codex of Vitality: Illustrated Wellness Rituals from China’s Golden Age）
Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE)
The term “药茶” (medicinal tea) emerged formally, marking wellness tea’s official recognition. Scholars compiled specialized treatises like 《太平圣惠方》 (Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief) and 《圣济总录》 (Sacred Relief Formulary), cataloging hundreds of herbal tea formulas that propelled its popularity.
（Song Dynasty Wellness: A Day in the Life of Longevity Seekers）
Ming & Qing Dynasties (1368–1912 CE)
Wellness tea reached its zenith. Physicians refined ancestral recipes, integrating regional botanicals to create geographically distinct blends—such as chrysanthemum-infused teas from Hangzhou and ginseng-enriched brews from Manchuria.
（Ming-Qing Dynasty Wellness Tea Alchemy: Artisan Rituals from China’s Herbal Renaissance）
Modern Era
Contemporary science has validated wellness tea’s benefits while unlocking innovations in cultivation and extraction. Today, it transcends tradition as a globally cherished ritual, harmonizing ancient wisdom with modern lifestyles.