Chinese tea and soup for health

[reitia]

Hello all,

 

Could you please tell me which Chinese teas (including herbal teas) are good remedies against poor digestion, stomach gas and bloating?

 

I have read that, in China, "medicinal" soups are prepared. These contain various vegetables and herbs, and are suitable as remedies for a wide range of ailments. They are completely natural, and are soothing, especially for invalids. These soups have long been used as part of Chinese Traditional Medicine.

 

I believe strongly in the efficacy of alternative medicine. Does anyone know of Chinese teas, herbs, soups, which aid the digestive system?

[JenniferW]

Do you live somewhere that you could go to see a TCM practitioner before buying something off the shelf? The causes of those symptoms could be all sorts of things, and a qualified TCM practitioner would make a wholistic assessment of what would be best for you.

[abcdefg]

Does anyone know of Chinese teas, herbs, soups, which aid the digestive system?

 

I'm afraid it's not that simple. Red tea (红茶) is often suggested as an aid to digestion and is drunk for that purpose after a large meal. Same goes for ripe Pu'er (熟普洱茶)。

 

But Western medicine and Chinese medicine both require diagnosis of the problem (figuring out what is wrong) before an effective treatment can be prescribed.

[reitia]

Hello JenniferW and abcdefg,

 

I've already had a diagnosis, and have tried a great number of allopathic medicines which only seem to aggravate the illness, as they are chemically based and irritate body tissues. TCM is nature-based and gentle to the system. Wish I could find a TCM practitioner here in Italy; but there are not many at all, except in major cities such as Rome or Milan. I live in a small Alpine town.

 

In a previous post, I mentioned Chinese chrysanthemum herbal tea. This is readily available in Chinese markets; fortunately, there is one such market 20 kilometres from the town where I live. The chrysanthemum tea seems to help in eliminating stomach gas. It has a most delicious sweet taste. Have you ever tried it?

 

Do you know of a good Chinese website where it is possible to ask advice from TCM specialists? I sometimes contact Ayurvedic and homeopathic practicioners by online chat; these physicians, from all over the world, are very kind and offer free consultation.

[Geiko]

 

good remedies against poor digestion, stomach gas and bloating

 

A couple of years ago I went to Italy on holidays and I discovered a very good infusion, Tisana ventre piatto, by L'Angelica. It only contains natural ingredients (star anise, fennel, peppermint and caraway) and it's really helpful for difficult digestions and intestinal gas. I've been told by an Italian friend that L'Angelica infusions are ubiquitous in Italy, I don't know if it's also true in your area (the Italian Alps are wonderful, I went to Südtirol this summer and it was amazing!). TCM has an exotic aura, but herbal medicine has been practiced in Europe for centuries.

[reitia]

Hello Geiko,

 

I know the L'Angelica infusions very well. Star anise is good mostly for intestinal cramps, not for stomach gas. The other ingredients (fennel, etc.) have not proven effective in my case.

 

I've had positive results in the past with acupuncture and TCM, for other ailments, and prefer to remain with Oriental alternative medicine: the most ancient, probably the most effective as it takes into consideration each individual's unique personality and attacks the causes of disease, not just the symptoms.

[abcdefg]

Regarding chrysanthemum tea 菊花茶, I drink a lot of it. Usually in late evening when I don't want caffeine that might interfere with sleep. I often add some gouqi 枸杞 berries (wolfberries) in the cup with the chrysanthemum flowers.

 

But I don't drink it for its medicinal properties, rather just because it tastes good and is refreshing. I can buy three kinds of dried chrysanthemum flowers at the herbal pharmacy across the street. According to the seller, each has slightly different characteristics.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysanthemum_tea#Medicinal_use

 

There are a couple of people on this forum who have studied, or are studying, TCM. May one of them will be able to help you. (I am not qualified to do so.)