Cough, aches and more: The TCM approach

Hong Kong is notorious for its high humidity, the blazing hot summers and high humidity can affect the body and cause dampness in the body to accumulate. To curb the this effect, using traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in brewing a home-made remedy to help drain dampness from the body will not only work wonders, but is very easy to do!

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What is dampness?

Dampness is a term common to locals, referring to water retention in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, dampness is an underlying factor that can lead to several other health conditions such as cough, phlegm, joint pains, digestive problems, loss of appetite, acne, and low energy, to name just a few. It is believed that dampness is cause by both external environment, such as the weather, food and drinks, as well as internal conditions – how our organs function. 

How to prevent dampness accumulating in the body?

The best way to avoid dampness from accumulating in the body is to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and exercise.

It may be refreshing to quench your thirst with a cold beverage during the warmer weather, but it may also be the culprit to your respiratory, digestive and joint issues. TCM doctors believe that consuming too much raw and cold food, such as sushi and iced drinks affects the way the spleen functions.

Physical activities, on the other hand, keeps the spleen, kidney and lungs active, keeping the qi in your body to circulate better, improve fluid metabolism and encourages the dampness in the body to be released. If you aren’t keen on breaking a sweat, sunbathing, saunas and hot baths are also fun, viable options. 

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Also Read: Cupping Therapy: The different types, which to go for and where?

Ingredients that drain dampness in the body

However, if the dampness in the body is excessive enough to cause discomfort, illness and aches in the body, you might want to consider TCM herbs to drain dampness from the body. There are about 21 medicinal herbs that help relieve dampness in the body, here we’ve listed  the most common found ingredients that you can easily prepare at home.

Dried Tangerine Peel

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Dried Orange Peel helps regulate the qi and fortifies the spleen. It helps drain dampness, improves digestion, and reduces phlegm.

How to prepare it: Soak and rinse the dried orange peel in cold water. Then, add peels to boiling water until soft, and drink. The steam itself should be provide relief from headaches and make the room smell refreshing, while the beverage will help relieve cough and phlegm. 

Licorice Root

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Licorice Root is an ingredient used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but can also be found in diet supplements too. It is praised for its anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve digestive and menopausal symptoms, as well as eliminating bacterial and viral infections from the body. It has been claimed that this medicinal root has been beneficial in preventing SARS and H1N1 influenza in some people. 

How to prepare it: To a pot, add licorice root with a cup of water to brew. To relieve sore throat and cough, add a cinnamon stick and a slice of ginger. Licorice roots are naturally sweet, so there is no need to add sugar.

Also Read: Beyond Beauty: Five wellness benefits of Gua Sha

Fu Ling (Poria)

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Poria, known as Fu Ling is a type of fungus that serves great health benefits. It is used to promote fluid metabolism, dis-inhibit urination and relieve edema and digestive problems.  It is can also improve qi in the spleen, improve appetite, and calms the spirit, which may benefit those suffering from insomnia or anxiety. 

How to prepare it: Soak the Fu Ling in water overnight. Then, boil it in four cups of water on high heat for at least 30 minutes before cooling it down. Once cooled, blend it into a paste and add to the fu ling water it was boiled in. It can be combined with tangerine or orange peel for a sweeter taste and to complement the benefits of both ingredients. It can also be used in boiling soup. 

Coix Seed (Coix Barley)

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Coix seed, sometimes referred to coix barley, is known to have anti-allergic, anti-pyretic and detoxification properties, perfect for pollen allergy season, and to relieve digestion problems – including diarrhea, joint pains, even improving the skin’s complexion.  

How to prepare it: Rinse and soak the coix seed in water for about an hour. Then boil in the same water for an hour. Add chrysanthemum flowers or honey for a sweeter taste.  Alternatively, you can simply place the coix seed in a tea bag or tea sieve and sit them in boiling water. 

Also Read: Tea Time – A comprehensive guide to China’s myriad brews

Natural Brews: Seven Chinese herbal teas that soothe the body and soul

Buzz-worthy cocktail lounges and sophisticated wine bars may dominate the city’s beverage market, but there is, in fact, a wholly different type of brew that locals flock to and imbibe on when in search of some much-needed rejuvenation. We speak, of course, of traditional Chinese herbal teas, holistic tipples that are based on centuries-old recipes that offer natural remedies for anything from the common cold to detoxifying the liver and relieving stress or pain. Known to locals as leung cha (which translates to “cooling tea”), these useful cuppas are known for aiding in balancing the body’s heat, and are imbued with medicinal properties that work beyond the scope of Western medicine. Below are some top sellers that have long been lauded for their healing capabilities. 

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Image: Mezoom2 via flickr

1. Heal-All Tea (夏枯草):
Prunella Vulgaris, also known as the ‘heal-all plant’, is a herbaceous plant that possesses healing properties that help lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Its sweet flavour makes for an easy entry-level tea for those interested in starting a habit of drinking Chinese herbal teas.
Benefits: Detoxifies the body, reduces internal heat, improves vision, soothes swelling and headaches.

2. Five Flower Tea (五花茶):
Brewed with five types of medicinal flowers, its main purpose is to keep the digestive tract healthy. Though recipes varies from shop to shop, it often includes flowers such as kapok, kudzu, prunella vulgaris, or heal-all plan.
Benefits: Keeps digestive tract healthy, soothes sore throat and reduce inflammation

Herbal Teas for the Soul Seven medicinal teas that will serve you well gafencu wine traditional chinese medicine

3. Twenty-Four Flavour Tea (廿四味):
As its name states, this tea is made with 20 types of herbs. It is not as easy to swallow as the other teas because of its dull bitterness, but it does packs a punch of health benefits, especially for those who are acne-prone or enjoy eating fried or spicy food.
Benefits: Relieve sore throats and common cold symptoms, alleviate certain skin problems, cools down and balances the body’s heat, detoxifies the body and reduces bloating.

4. Chicken Bone Grass (雞骨草):

Made with chicken bone grass and candied dates, this dark herbal tea is bitter with a sweet aftertaste. Because of its natural bitterness, it is typically brewed with liquorice which gives it its palatable sweetness and makes it easier to drink. It is especially good for people who tend to smoke excessively, drink alcohol regularly or suffer from insomnia or stress.
Benefits: Improve digestion and liver function, clear dampness and phlegm, reduces bloating, detoxifies the body, improves liver function, relieve pain, stress and fatigue.


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5. Fire Hemp Seed Tea (火麻仁):
Made from one of most essential traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, Hemp Seed, this nutty flavoured tea makes for a slightly sweet beverage that is suitable for any weather because of its neutral nature. It is known to be very nutritious and rich in protein, Vitamin E and mono-unsaturated fats which helps with digestion.
Benefits: Prevents constipation, improves digestion and bowel movements, promotes anti-ageing and reduces risk of cardiovascular disease

6. Monk Fruit Tea (羅漢果茶):
One of the most commonly brewed Chinese herbal teas is the monk fruit tea, a naturally sweet drink that is cool in nature. It is especially popular during the summer months for its refreshing effect on the body. Though this tea is quite sweet, it is low in carbs and calories.
Benefits: Cures sore throats and coughs, clears internal heat, clears dampness and lubricates the lungs

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7. Chrysanthemum Tea (銀菊露)
Chrysanthemum tea is a fragrant flower-based tea that is boiled with honey and sugar cane. It is neutral in nature, making it a healthy beverage that is suitable any day of the year, without the need to relieve any particular symptom. It is also a light and sweet alternative to the other teas on the list. 
Benefits: Clears internal heat, detoxify and improves liver function, relives cold and flue symptoms and improves vision

Where to drink herbal tea:

Herbaceous Tea
Relatively new to the scene since opening in 2013, this modern outlet brews a variety of fine Chinese herbal teas by hand everyday at all of their shops around Hong Kong.

Good Spring Co.
This Chinese medicine shops in Central boasts an impressively large range of Chinese herbal teas. They’re most notably for their 24 herbs tea, sweet flower tea and American ginseng tea, all of which can be served hot or cold.

Sam Bat Mai Kudzu
This is one of the most well-known herbal tea stores in the city. Noteworthy of their recipes, locals flock to this Wan Chai shop for a much-needed herbal refreshment and detoxification. Customers can also try its famous Rorippa Indica (Yellowcress) tea.

 

COLOURLIVING adds Wellness to its in-store offer

COLOURLIVING, the ultimate lifestyle curation brand, has launched a new pop-up store, one with a brief to help stylishly boost the health of high end Hongkongers. 

Set within its three-storey luxury retail space in downtown Wan Chai, this new Wellness Living concept has three distinct strands – special kitchen, customised tea and indoor pool.

Its singular take on the kitchen space has been designed, first and foremost, to make food preparation a fun and engaging experience for the whole family. With high aesthetic standards never compromised in the name of convenience, it’s a carefully-curated culinary enclave with great taste it’s clear mission statement.

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As for the chosen tea, the lifestyle brand has opted to incorporate Hong Kong-based Lify’s award-winning brew dispenser brand. As high-tech as it is high-end, this distinctly digital age dispenser delivers superb quality herbal tea perfectly prepared in line with your pre-programmed preferences.

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The indoor bathing facility – the evocatively titled Faraway Pool – somehow summons the sheer sensuality of an al fresco immersion, with its luxury KOS tub just the perfect ablution solution for the aspirationally inclined. Mood lighting and submerged shelving are also all available on the added extras menu. 

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A fascinating and most welcome addition to COLOURLIVING’S core offerings, Wellness Living takes comfort, style and personal care to a whole new level.