Magic of the Chinese herb tea

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by Jordan Coates

MAGIC OF THE CHINESE HERB TEA

Photo © Charlie Smith

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广告 • 文化 // CULTURE /

Gui Ban 龟板

Zhi Zi 栀子Huang Qi 黄芪

Ban Lan Gen 板蓝根

Yu Zhu 玉竹

Chen Pi 陈皮

Xing Ren 杏仁Tao Jiao 桃胶

Bei Sha Shen 北沙参

For a foreigner, Traditional Chinese Medicine can seem a daunting subject: part art, part science. In order to de-mystify the topic, with the help of Fu Hai Tang 福海堂 Jordan Coates has brought together some of the most common Chinese herbs. After reading a little about how they are used and what benefits they can bring, hopefully you will have the courage to go out and try some for yourself.

Bei Sha Shen 北沙参 Glehnia Root

Nan Xing 南杏 Chinese Southern Almond

Chen Pi 陈皮 Dried Tangerine Peel

There are two types of Sha Shen- Bei (North) and Nan (South). Thriving in cooler climates, Bei Sha Shen grows widely across Northern China and Inner Mongolia and is more commonly used than its southern counterpart. This root should be cooked in boiling water to make tea or soup, which can then be drunk. Among the effects, it is used to moisten the lungs and ease a sore throat.

Traditionally, Chinese almonds are classified into two types: southern ( 南杏 ) and northern ( 北杏 ). While southern kernels are sweet and therefore used in cookery, the northern variety has a more bitter taste and is a common component in Chinese medicine. A traditional dessert made with the southern variety is almond tofu, which helps the lungs and can relieve coughing.

Chen Pi is sun-dried tangerine peel, which has a lengthy history within Chinese medicine. Interestingly, the peel is often aged for a stronger effect (the sample picture is 20 years old). Its use can aid the spleen and stomach, by regulating one’s ‘Qi’, or life energy.

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Ban Lan Gen 板蓝根 Isatis Root

Huang Qi 黄芪 Astragalus

Tao Jiao 桃胶 Peach Gum

A component of Chinese Medicine for over two thousand years, Ban Lan Gen is used widely across Chinese households to combat the common cold and other sinus infections. It is often made into a tea with Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle) to improve the effect.

Zhi Zi 栀子 Cape Jasmine

Cape Jasmine is considered cooling in nature and serves to reduce fevers by cooling down blood temperature. Zhi Zi is often made into a tea for direct consumption, and can be combined with other herbs to make an enriching natural detox.

This herb is well known for its ability to boost the immune system and fight fatigue. For those feeling run down, a warming cup of astragalus tea can go a long way to help, by providing a revitalising energy lift. This immunity-boosting beverage can be had all year round and could make a good substitute for your morning coffee.

Yu Zhu 玉竹 Solomon’s Seal Rhizome

With a taste similar to bamboo shoots, Yu Zhu can be cooked like a vegetable, and combined with other ingredients in soups and broths. This herb is known to cure dryness in the lungs and strengthen the stomach.

Tao Jiao is also known as ‘teardrops of the peach tree’, since it’s made from resin secreted from the peach tree. First you need to soak the crystals in water, so they soften and expand into a jelly-like substance. Since the resin itself is tasteless, various ingredients can then be added, such as milk, goji berries, honey, and dates, to make a variety of nourishing desserts. As peach gum contains collagen, which firms and rejuvenates your skin, these desserts are an excellent skin tonic for reducing wrinkles.

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