Brewing Guide

Herbal tea, known as "养生茶" in Chinese, is a daily beverage made by steeping or decocting medicinal plants. It aims to promote health, prevent illness, and nourish the mind and body. Proper brewing is essential to maximize the extraction of beneficial compounds and ensure safe consumption.

Part 1: Preparation Before Brewing

  1. Choose Your Blend Wisely: It's Personal

    • Core Principle: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) emphasizes treatment based on your body's specific constitution. Before choosing a blend, understand your body type (e.g., Qi-deficient, blood-deficient, etc.) and current health condition.

    • Consult a Professional: If you are unsure about your constitution, consult a qualified TCM practitioner. Avoid blindly following trendy recipes online, as they may not be suitable for you.

    • Example: Those prone to "heat" (e.g., feel hot) might choose chrysanthemum or honeysuckle; those who often feel cold might opt for longan, red dates, or ginger; for stress or sleep issues, rose buds or mimosa flowers are good choices.

  2. Select High-Quality Ingredients

    • Reliable Source: Purchase from reputable herbal shops or brands to ensure herbs are free from sulfur fumigation, mold, and impurities.

    • Appearance & Smell: Herbs should have a natural color, be well-formed, dry, and carry their distinct, pleasant aroma.

  3. Choose the Right Brewing Vessel

    • Best Choice: Lidded Ceramic or Glass Cup: Chemically inert (won't react with the herbs), excellent for retaining heat and allowing the herbs to steep properly.

    • Good Alternative: Thermos Flask: Ideal for steeping hard roots, barks, or berries that need longer, hotter brewing. Not recommended for delicate flowers, as it can make the tea bitter.

    • Can Use: Yixing Teapot: Note that it's best to dedicate one pot to one type of tea to avoid flavor crossover.

    • Not Recommended: Metal Cup: May react with certain compounds in the herbs (like tannins), affecting taste and quality.

Part 2: Step-by-Step Brewing Methods

Method One: The Simple Steeping Method (Ideal for flowers, leaves, and delicate herbs)

  1. Warm the Cup: Rinse your cup with hot water. This cleans it, warms it up, and helps release the tea's aroma.

  2. Add Herbs: Place your herbs into the cup. A general guideline is 3-10 grams of dried herbs, or follow your specific recipe.

  3. Rinse & Awaken: Pour a small amount of hot water (85-95°C / 185-203°F) just to cover the herbs. Gently swirl and then discard this water quickly. This step cleans the herbs and "wakes them up."

  4. Main Brew: Add a full cup of hot water (about 300-500 ml). Cover with the lid.

  5. Let it Steep: Allow the herbs to steep for 5-10 minutes. This lets the beneficial compounds and flavors infuse into the water.

  6. Enjoy: Once the temperature is comfortable to drink, enjoy your tea. You can typically re-steep the same herbs 2-3 times until the flavor weakens.

Method Two: The Simmering/Decoction Method (For hard roots, barks, seeds, and berries)

For ingredients like Astragalus (Huang Qi), Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi), or Fu Ling, which are tough, steeping may not extract all the benefits. Simmering is more effective.

  1. Rinse & Soak: Quickly rinse the herbs. Place them in a pot (non-reactive like ceramic or stainless steel), cover with cold water, and let them soak for 20-30 minutes.

  2. Bring to a Boil: Place the pot over high heat and bring to a rolling boil.

  3. Simmer Gently: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 15-25 minutes.

  4. Strain the Tea: Strain the liquid into your cup or a teapot.

  5. Second Brew (Optional): You can add water to the same herbs and simmer a second time. Combine the liquid from both brews for a more potent tea.

Part 3: Key Factors & Important Precautions

  1. Water Temperature

    • Flowers & Leaves (e.g., Chrysanthemum, Rose, Mint): Use 85-95°C (185-203°F) water. Avoid boiling water as it can destroy delicate aromas and nutrients.

    • Roots, Berries, Seeds (e.g., Astragalus, Goji Berry): Use 100°C (212°F) boiling water or simmer them to fully extract compounds.

    • Note: Goji Berries are heat-sensitive; using very hot water can destroy nutrients. It's often better to add them to warm water (around 70°C / 158°F) at the end.

  2. Steeping Time

    • Aromatic Herbs (e.g., Ginger, Mint): Don't over-steep (around 5 minutes is enough), or the vibrant aroma will fade.

    • Tonic Herbs (e.g., Astragalus, Ginseng): Can benefit from longer steeping or simmering times to fully release their nourishing properties.

  3. When and How Often to Drink

    • Timing: It's generally best to drink herbal tea between meals. Avoid drinking on an completely empty stomach or right after a large meal to prevent stomach discomfort.

    • Frequency: 1-2 cups per day is usually sufficient. Herbal tea is a supplement, not a replacement for plain water. Overconsumption can disrupt your body's balance.

  4. Safety & Contraindications

    • Know Your Herbs: Understand the properties and contraindications of the herbs you are using. Pregnant/nursing women, children, and individuals with specific health conditions (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes) must be extra cautious.

    • Drug Interactions: If you are taking prescription medication, consult your doctor before consuming herbal teas and space your tea and medication intake by at least 1-2 hours.

    • Listen to Your Body: If you experience any discomfort (e.g., stomach ache, diarrhea, allergies) after drinking, stop immediately and consult a healthcare professional.

    • Do Not Drink Overnight Tea: Brewed tea can spoil and grow bacteria. Always prepare it fresh and do not drink tea that has been left out for many hours or overnight.