Tea is also medicine, and different types of tea have different health benefits.

　　Tea is regarded as a “cure for all ailments,” and the tradition of using tea to promote health dates back millennia. While many people enjoy drinking tea for its health benefits, not everyone knows how to savor it at the right time and in the appropriate season. Improper consumption can not only fail to deliver its intended health-promoting effects but may also lead to adverse consequences such as stomach coldness and diarrhea, or even insomnia.

　　Tea is also medicine, and different types of tea have different health benefits.

　　Different teas have different health benefits.

　　Over millennia of tea culture, the processing of tea leaves has given rise to a wide array of methods, resulting in an impressive diversity of tea varieties. Moreover, teas produced through different processing techniques exhibit significant differences in their composition and health benefits.

　　Black tea has a warming nature and is known for its effects of unblocking the meridians, promoting blood circulation, warming the stomach, nourishing the complexion, and resolving stasis. It is particularly suitable for those who experience chronic weakness, coldness in the stomach and abdomen, a dull and lackluster complexion, or depressive mood.

　　Pu’er ripe tea belongs to the Water element in the Five Elements theory, with a mild and cooling nature, and its effects include removing greasiness, resolving dampness, lightening the body, and detoxifying. It is particularly effective for conditions such as overeating, obesity, fatty liver, and phlegm-dampness stagnation.

　　Oolong tea offers certain health benefits for conditions such as meridian blockages, deficiency of vital energy, spleen and stomach weakness, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, osteoporosis, and lack of vitality.

　　White tea has a cool, astringent nature and is renowned for its cooling, detoxifying, vision‑clearing, heat‑reducing, and mind‑awakening effects. It is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms such as internal heat and irritability, hypertension, heart disease, skin conditions, myopia, common colds, and laryngitis.

　　Green tea promotes hair growth, has a cooling nature, and is rich in nutrients. Its effects include clearing the heart and reducing internal heat, restoring vitality, and supporting the body’s normal functions.

　　Although tea does offer certain health benefits, it is not suitable for everyone to drink in large quantities over the long term. For the average person, consuming about 12 grams of tea per day, brewed in 3–4 infusions, is appropriate. Those who frequently eat greasy foods or consume significant amounts of tobacco and alcohol may wish to increase their tea intake slightly; however, individuals with neurasthenia or tachycardia should reduce their consumption accordingly. When brewing tea, controlling the water temperature is crucial. According to Chen Rundong, teas like pu’er—renowned for their aged character—should be steeped with boiling water to achieve a sterilizing effect. Nevertheless, the ideal drinking temperature is around 60°C; avoid exceeding 70°C, as higher temperatures can damage the esophagus.

　　Drinking three cups of tea a day is most appropriate.

　　The first cup is morning tea, best enjoyed between 9 and 10 a.m. after breakfast. It helps to refresh the mind, detoxify the body, and combat fatigue, making it the most important of the three cups of tea.

　　For morning tea, floral tea is the best choice. Having undergone a second round of processing, it blends the rich fragrance of fresh flowers with the delicate aroma of new tea, leaving you refreshed and invigorated—perfect for boosting your energy and focus throughout the day.

　　It should be noted that people with insomnia should avoid drinking floral teas, as this may exacerbate sleep disturbances; likewise, individuals with allergies should also refrain from consuming them.

　　The second cup is afternoon tea, best enjoyed between 1 and 3 p.m., after lunch or a midday nap. Afternoon tea can be brewed a bit stronger; it helps lower blood lipids and protect the blood vessels.

　　Green tea’s health‑promoting benefits—such as antioxidant activity, free‑radical scavenging, and antiviral effects—are primarily attributable to its polyphenolic compounds. For this reason, green tea is best brewed fresh and consumed immediately. If the water temperature is too high or the steeping time is excessively long, these polyphenols can be degraded. Generally, an ideal brewing temperature is around 85°C, just at the point when the water first comes to a boil, with a steeping time of 2–3 minutes. The tea‑to‑water ratio should be appropriate, ideally 1:50; for example, use 150 ml of water to brew 3 grams of tea, resulting in a cup with a balanced strength. As for serving vessels, porcelain cups or clear glass cups are both excellent choices.

　　The third cup is evening tea, best enjoyed between 6 and 7 p.m. after dinner, and it helps lower blood lipids and aid digestion.

　　Experts say black tea is best enjoyed in the evening, as fermented teas contain lower levels of caffeine and have less of an impact on sleep. People with a cold‑natured constitution can benefit from drinking more black tea, as it warms the middle and dispels cold, making it particularly helpful for those who suffer from stomach cold, cold hands and feet, general weakness, or frequent diarrhea. When brewing, unlike green tea, using higher water temperatures actually enhances the extraction of beneficial flavonoids, resulting in a richer flavor and aroma while also maximizing its health‑promoting effects.

　　For brewing black tea, it’s best to use boiling water, and you can steep it for a slightly longer time. Generally, five minutes is ideal. The amount of water used for brewing black tea is comparable to that for green tea. Gongfu-style whole-leaf black teas can be re-steeped 3–4 times, while broken‑leaf black teas are typically good for 1–2 infusions. Additionally, it’s advisable to avoid drinking tea after 8 p.m.

　　Six Things Not to Drink When Having Tea

　　1. Avoid drinking large amounts of fluids at once. When a substantial volume of liquid enters the bloodstream, it can place additional strain on the heart. Moreover, the caffeine and theophylline in tea are stimulants that can accelerate the heart rate and elevate blood pressure. Older adults often have reduced cardiac function; those with coronary artery disease, pulmonary heart disease, or hypertension may experience discomfort such as chest tightness and palpitations after consuming excessive amounts of tea. In addition, drinking large quantities of strong tea can dilute gastric juices, lowering their concentration and leading to indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain—conditions that require particular attention among elderly individuals with preexisting gastrointestinal issues.

　　II. Avoid drinking strong tea. Many elderly people enjoy strong tea, but tea leaves contain tannins, which can react with dietary iron to form poorly soluble compounds. Consequently, regularly consuming strong tea may hinder iron absorption, a concern that is especially important for seniors with iron-deficiency anemia. Compared with light tea, strong tea also tends to contain excessive amounts of caffeine, which can lead to an accelerated heart rate and arrhythmias. It is recommended to use about 2 grams of tea per infusion.

　　3. Avoid drinking tea before and after meals. It’s best to refrain from drinking tea for about 20 minutes before and after eating, as it can dilute gastric juices and impair digestion. Drinking tea on an empty stomach may even lead to symptoms of “tea intoxication,” such as palpitations, headaches, blurred vision, and restlessness; in severe cases, it can trigger gastritis. The proper approach is to wait at least one hour after a meal before enjoying tea, sipping slowly in small mouthfuls, and replenishing with water two to three times.

　　4. Avoid drinking tea before bed. Tea has stimulating and diuretic effects, and many older adults experience sleep disturbances to varying degrees. Therefore, refrain from drinking tea in the evening to prevent restlessness, insomnia, and frequent urination, which can compromise sleep quality. It’s best not to drink tea within two hours of bedtime; if you feel thirsty, opt for plain water instead.

　　5. Do not drink tea that has been left overnight. It is best to brew and drink tea fresh; if left standing for too long, not only do its health‑promoting compounds diminish, but the flavor also suffers significantly. If brewed tea is allowed to sit for an extended period, oxidation and microbial growth can cause it to spoil, making it harmful rather than beneficial to your health. Therefore, never drink tea that has been left overnight.

6. Do not take medication with tea. Tannins and theophylline in tea can chemically react with certain drugs. In particular, elderly individuals should avoid using tea to swallow hypnotics, sedatives, iron‑supplementing agents, enzyme preparations, or protein‑containing medications, as this may compromise their efficacy. Similarly, traditional Chinese medicines such as ginseng, codonopsis, yuanhu, datura, achyranthes root, ephedra, uncaria, and coptis should also not be consumed with tea.

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