"Everyday health starts with a cup of tea"

Did you know that 【constitution】 is generally inherited congenitally and then developed through postnatal conditioning? Traditional Chinese medicine classifies constitutions differently; which type do you belong to? 

1) Phlegm-dampness type (edema and obesity)

“I always have edema before my period and can’t lose weight!”

“It is very easy to get edema, and it feels like drinking water will make you fat!”

Crowd: office workers who love strong flavors, eating ice, enjoy drinking cold beverages, and have sedentary or standing work habits

Obesity type: lower body obesity, most dissatisfied with the hips and thighs, most troubled when buying pants, swollen limbs, relatively soft abdominal muscles, pear-shaped body

Systemic symptoms: easily fatigued, feeling heavy in the body, drowsiness, heavy head, constipation, recurrent eczema on the skin, sticky sensation in the mouth

Menstrual symptoms: heavy leukorrhea, easy edema before menstruation, continuous menstrual bleeding, prone to abdominal pain, cold pain, etc.

Tea Therapy Options: Body Swelling Tea Therapy

*5pcs per pack*

Ingredients: Tangerine peel, dried tangerine peel, mulberry bark, wild yam

Efficacy: Strengthens the spleen and dispels dampness, suitable for body swelling, lower limb edema or eyelid edema, or premenstrual swelling

Usage: Pour boiling water and cover, steep for 15 minutes before drinking. Can be brewed 3 to 4 times until the tea loses its flavor.

*Note: Pregnant women should not drink

Chinese medicine says“spleen”One of the main functions is transportation and transformation, which is to convert the food we eat into energy. When the spleen's transportation and transformation function is abnormal, and the metabolic products are dysfunctional, fluids tend to remain in the body and cannot be normally discharged, which easily leads to the accumulation of dampness in the body. Traditional Chinese medicine believes“Wet betting”Therefore, people with heavy dampness are prone to problems of lower body obesity, with the lower abdomen, hips, thighs, and even calves easily becoming swollen and fat.

While undergoing tea therapy, it is recommended that people of this type eat less raw, cold, and strongly flavored foods in their daily diet. Having meals at regular times is best, and the most important thing is to strive to overcome the temptation of sweets! Because sweets easily cause phlegm and dampness to remain in the body, which also increases the burden on the spleen and stomach functions. People with phlegm-dampness type obesity tend to have softer muscles, so it is recommended to plan regular exercise time to strengthen muscles, so that when losing weight, the body won't become flabby!

2) Qi stagnation and blood stasis type (stress-induced obesity)

"When I'm stressed, I want to eat something to relieve myself!"

"What should I do if I often have to work overtime and stay up late to attend social events?"

Crowd: Common among stressed office workers who need to socialize and entertain, and work night shifts

Obesity type: upper body thick and strong, broad back and waist, fat in the waist and abdomen, medium-wide obesity (apple-shaped body)

General symptoms: irritability, irregular meal times, likes to find friends for late-night snacks after work to vent, neck and shoulder stiffness and soreness, chest tightness, sighing for no reason, constipation, insomnia (difficulty falling asleep, frequent dreams, easy to wake up)

Menstrual symptoms: dysmenorrhea (stinging pain), many blood clots, dark color, prone to emotional instability during menopause, breast tenderness before menstruation

Tea therapy options: I Want Slimming Tea Therapy

*5pcs per pack*

Ingredients: Hawthorn, rose, tangerine peel

Efficacy: reduces fat and promotes qi circulation, nourishes and beautifies the skin, suitable for bloating or indigestion

Directions: Pour in boiling water and cover.5Ready to drink in minutes, can be brewed4～5times, until the tea has no taste.

*Note: This tea tastes sour and should be used with caution by those with acid reflux or frequent stomach discomfort. This tea has a strong effect on regulating qi and is not suitable for use on an empty stomach. Pregnant women or those menstruating should not drink it.

The "liver" in traditional Chinese medicine mainly functions in regulating and storing blood, which is closely related to emotional regulation. For example, we often hear TCM practitioners mention "liver qi stagnation" or "excessive liver fire," which are mainly caused by high stress. When under stress, the liver's function of regulating qi and blood is disrupted, leading to liver qi stagnation. Trying to vent emotions through eating can easily result in so-called "stress-induced obesity."

For this type of person, besides tea therapy, another main weight loss strategy is learning how to relax oneself and finding other ways to vent emotions instead of eating indiscriminately. If you are an office worker who has to work late before eating, it is recommended to prepare some fruit meal replacements to fill your stomach first, so you won't eat too much after work. Of course, if possible, having three regular meals is still best!

3) Qi and blood deficiency type (pseudo-obesity)

“I eat less and exercise more but I still can’t lose weight!”

Groups: postpartum or post-serious illness individuals, people who are overworked, office workers who work overtime, women who work and take care of children

Obesity form: loose and weak muscles, general obesity

General symptoms: often feeling tired, dizzy, poor appetite, weakness in limbs, cold hands and feet, speaking softly, pale complexion, shortness of breath and nausea after intense exercise

Menstrual symptoms: light menstrual flow, pale color, continuous spotting, short duration of menstruation, or even amenorrhea

Tea Therapy Options: Low Energy Tea Therapy

*5pcs per pack*

Ingredients: Codonopsis, Poria, Atractylodes, Licorice, Cimicifuga

Efficacy: Raises yang and refreshes the mind, promotes qi circulation and dispels dampness, suitable for those who are always tired, feel like they haven't slept despite sleeping, and feel heaviness in the hands and feet.

Usage: Pour boiling water and cover, steep for 15 minutes before drinking. Can be brewed 3 to 4 times until the tea loses its flavor.

*Note: People with a cold should not drink this drink

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that people with qi and blood deficiency will consume more qi through excessive exercise, worsening qi and blood circulation and causing symptoms such as dizziness and weakness. Coupled with dieting, the body cannot produce the essence from food to provide energy. Without proper care, the body will become even weaker over time. People with this type of obesity should first regulate their body, replenish qi and blood, and then combine a healthy diet with gradual exercise to lose weight healthily.

In terms of exercise, you can start with simple aerobic activities such as brisk walking, yoga, or jogging. If you experience discomfort like dizziness, vomiting, or difficulty breathing after exercising, it indicates that your workout may have exceeded your body's capacity. At this time, do not push yourself to avoid exhausting your energy; it is recommended to adjust the duration and intensity of your exercise next time.

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"Using medicine instead of tea, but it looks like tea but it's not tea" 

TCM practitioners who "do not use traditional Chinese medicine" carefully balance the proportions of herbs, creating herbal formulas that can be brewed with boiling water for a few minutes to make tea therapy, allowing everyone to achieve health benefits without pressure. Don't let constipation affect your mood and good work performance!

 - Dr. Liu Chongren, Chinese Medicine Practitioner