Drink these teas as soon as you start to feel like you might be coming down with something. These food-grade herbs are good for helping your body push the “evil qi” right back out, preventing you from getting sick. And, they are both really tasty!
Tea for “Wind-Cold”
This type of cold usually begins with sneezing and runny nose, and possibly watery eyes. There may also be body aches, a stiff neck, and a feeling of being chilled, especially at the surface of the skin. This is a warming tea, so if you feel feverish or have a sore throat, try the next tea instead!
You’ll need:
2 slices of fresh ginger root, about 1/2 inch thick
a 2-inch piece of dried or fresh tangerine peel (orange, clementine, etc. will do as a substitute)
1-2 scallions, sliced (both white and green parts)
1 teabag of green tea
honey to taste Boil ginger root in 2-3 cups of water for 10 minutes; add tangerine peel and boil 3-5 minutes longer; add scallions and cook an additional 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the teabag, steeping for 2-3 minutes. Strain, and add honey to taste.You can make a batch and use it throughout the day. Also, don’t worry if you’re missing one or two ingredients – it will still be yummy and helpful.Tea for “Wind-Heat”
An attack of wind heat usually begins with a sore or dry scratchy throat. You might also notice swollen glands, congestion, or feeling feverish (you may also feel a little chilled, but if you mostly feel hot, it’s still wind-heat).
The basic recipe:
a small handful of fresh or dried mint
1 bag green tea
honey to taste
Boil mint in 2-3 cups water for 3-5 minutes; turn off heat and add the teabag, steeping for 2-3 minutes. Add honey to taste. You can also use a teabag of peppermint or other mint tea in place of the fresh mint.
For a more ambitious variation, add:
3-4 pieces of dried licorice root
3-5 dried chrysanthemum flowers
Both ingredients are available in Chinese food stores or pharmacies. Boil the licorice root for 10 minutes, then add the chrysanthemum with the mint and proceed as above.