8 Chinese Herbal Tea You can Have a Try

Chinese herbal tea, also known as medicine tea, is made from herbs that have healthcare functions and curing effect on some physical ailments. There are thousands of years of practice on drinking herbal tea among Chinese people. The herbal tea might be dried leaves, flowers, bark, seeds or roots of herds. Different herbal tea has different effects. Herbs can be used either singly or combined with other herbs, depending on what kind of outcome is needed. Here we list 8 most popular Chinese herbal tea with health benefits:

8 Most Popular Chinese Herbal Tea

Chinese name: 枸杞茶 (gou qi cha)
Growing areas: Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang…
Nutrient elements: Carotene, vitamin B1, B2, C & E, nicotinic acid, a variety of free amino acids, linoleic acid, sweet potato alkali, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, phosphorus…
Combinations: chrysanthemum, jujube, rose, hawthorn…
                                          
There are two types of wolfberry: the red one and black one. After brewing, the soup of red wolfberry appears clear and faint yellow in color, while the soup of black berry is of clear and purple color. It is said the health effect of black wolfberry is better than the red one. But both of them have the effects of boosting immune system, preventing anemia, anti-cancer, nourishing liver, improving eyesight, treating impotence, relieving fatigue, weight loss, promoting blood circulation, delaying aging, and enhancing fertility… It can be took throughout the year by people of different ages; but people who catches cold, fever, or have inflammation should avoid it.
 Chinese name: 红枣茶 (hong zao cha)  
Growing areas: Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei, Shandong…
Nutrient elements: sugars, organic acids, proteins, and vitamins A, B, and C…
Combinations: chrysanthemum, wolfberry, hawthorn, ginger, rose, dried longan, lotus seed…

Rich in vitamins, the jujube, also called red dates can help enrich blood, maintain beauty and erase wrinkles. It also cures irregular menstruation and improve fertility. Thus it is especially popular among females. It is also good for people who lost blood or underwent surgery. Drinking it can also increase appetite and boost immunity. People with diabetes should not drink it. Usually, the jujube is dried and sliced before brewing.
 

Chinese name: 菊花茶 (ju hua cha)
Growing areas: Zhejiang, Hubei, Anhui, Sichuan, Henan…
Nutrient elements: Volatile oil, various amino acids, Vitamins and trace elements like iron, zinc, copper, selenium…
Combinations: wolfberry, jujube, hawthorns, gold and silver flowers, licorice…

There are many kinds of chrysanthemum tea: white or yellow, big or small, full blossomed flowers or flower bugs… The most well-known chrysanthemum tea benefits are clearing away heat and diminishing inflammation. This kind of Chinese herbal tea also helps relieve eye fatigue and thus favored by office workers who frequently use computers. But there are some don’ts to be noticed: overnight chrysanthemum tea can’t be drunk; weak people or those who are developing a cold should not drink it.

  See more: 4 Most Famous Chinese Chrysanthemum Tea 
 

Chinese name: 薄荷茶 (bo he cha)
Growing areas: Yunnna, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang…
Nutrient elements: mint, menthol, ishimtosanol, cepene…
Combinations: rose, chrysanthemum, green tea, lemon, honey...

Mint has many varieties like green mint and pepper mint. But their main functions are the same. Aromatic substances like peppermint alcohol can help refresh mind, strengthen spleen and help people have a bon appetite. Apart from that, mint tea can also help relieve headache and promote metabolism. Having a cup of mint tea in hot summer can make you revivified and refreshed both physically and spiritually for it also has the function of clearing away heat. But do not drink too much because excessive drinking is likely to lead to poisoning. Good mint tea has dark green soup after brewing.
 Chinese name: 人参茶  (ren shen cha)
Growing areas: Northeast China
Nutrient elements: 20 kinds of saponins active substances, 17 kinds of amino acids, 11 trace elements, three kinds of anticancer active selenium and crude protein…
Combinations: chrysanthemum, wolfberry, jujube, ophiopogon root, platycodon grandiflorum…

Ginseng has been widely known as the best tonic since ancient time in China. Drinking it can help relieve fatigue and delay aging. Ginseng tea can also nourish one’s body, improve the heart, soothe the nerves, improve eyesight, promote metabolism, regulate endocrine, clear inner heat, detoxify… It is very suitable for both elderly and weak people, but not suitable for people with high blood pressure. Due to its limited growing areas, low production, and numerous healthcare functions, this Chinese herbal tea price is higher than many others.
 

Chinese name: 决明子茶 (jue ming zi tea)
Growing areas: Anhui, Guangxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Guangdong…
Nutrient elements: Rhubarb phenol, lutein, Cassia
Combinations: chrysanthemum, wolfberry, jujube, hawthorn

After brewing, cassia seed tea soup is of yellow color with both bitter and sweet flavor. Cassia tea can help improve one’s eyesight so it is definitely a blessing for the white-collar workers who need to face the computers for long time. Another benefit of this Chinese herbal tea is lowering blood pressure. Cassia seeds can also be used to cure or prevent constipation, based on which people also drink it to help lose weight.
 

Chinese name: 山楂茶 (shan zha cha)
Growing areas: Shandong, Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, Shanxi…
Nutrient elements: a lot of vitamin C and trace elements, flavonoids and carotene…
Combinations: wolfberry, jujube, rose, longan, chrysanthemum, cassia…

Hawthorn tea tastes a little sour so people usually brew it with other Chinese herbal tea to get a better flavor. For the elderly, drinking hawthorn tea frequently can enhance appetite, improve sleep, and prevent atherosclerosis, so it is regarded as "longevity food." It is also good for females for it boosts blood circulation and helps maintain a good complexion.
 

Chinese name: 葱姜茶 (cong jiang cha)
Growing areas: widely planted in China
Nutrient elements: Carbohydrates, proteins, multivitamins and minerals

Scallion ginger tea, as you can see from the name, is made from two commonly seen vegetables- scallion and ginger, which are often used in Chinese dishes. Scallion ginger tea can help speed up sweating, promote blood circulation and metabolism in the human body, as well as enhance human immunity function etc. Hot scallion ginger tea has a very obvious curing effects on people who develops a cold. It is easy to make: prepare a section of scallion and several slices of ginger and brew them for a few minutes.
 

 Further Reading:

6 Major Types of Chinese Tea

10 Best Chinese Tea 

9 Most Popular Chinese Flower Tea

8 Weight Loss Tea You can Have a Try

12 Diet Tea that Makes You Slim and Fit

Top 10 Most Expensive Tea in China