Chinese Herbal Tea Recipes: 20 TCM Teas for Common Problems

Last updated: April 2026

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The herbal tea recipes below are translated from Chinese-language TCM sources and reflect traditional practice. "Herbal tea" here refers to medicinal infusions (代茶饮), not true tea (Camellia sinensis) unless specified. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal teas therapeutically, especially if you have chronic conditions, are pregnant, or take medications.

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What Makes Chinese Herbal Tea Different From Regular Tea?

When Chinese medicine discusses "herbal tea" (代茶饮, dài chá yǐn — literally "substitute tea drink"), it means something specific: dried herbs, flowers, fruits, or roots steeped or briefly simmered in hot water, consumed in place of regular tea throughout the day.

The key differences from both regular tea and full herbal decoctions:

vs. Regular tea (茶叶):

• Regular tea uses Camellia sinensis leaves — green, black, oolong, etc.
• Herbal tea uses medicinal-grade herbs, flowers, roots, and seeds
• Herbal tea is prescribed based on TCM diagnostic patterns, not personal preference
• Some recipes combine actual tea leaves with herbs for synergistic effects

vs. Herbal decoctions (汤剂):

• Decoctions simmer herbs in water for 30-60+ minutes, extracting maximum therapeutic compounds
• Herbal teas steep for 5-30 minutes — lighter extraction, gentler effect
• Decoctions are taken in 2-3 concentrated doses; herbal teas are sipped throughout the day
• Herbal teas use food-grade or mild herbs; decoctions use the full pharmacopeia including potent ingredients

The Beijing Municipal Health Commission's guidance on herbal tea drinking (translated from Chinese) emphasizes: "Herbal teas are not medicinal prescriptions — they are a mild, daily-use form of health maintenance that should be selected according to individual constitution, season, and symptoms."

For a broader look at TCM's approach to drinking habits, see our traditional Chinese herbal teas guide.

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How to Prepare Chinese Herbal Tea Correctly

The preparation method matters more than most people realize. Chinese TCM literature is specific about technique:

Standard Steeping Method

1. Rinse herbs briefly under running water to remove dust and surface impurities (1-2 seconds, not soaking)
2. Use a lidded cup or thermos — the lid traps volatile oils and heat, improving extraction
3. Pour freshly boiled water (95-100°C) over the herbs
4. Cover and steep for the time specified in each recipe (typically 10-30 minutes)
5. Strain or leave herbs in — most herbs can be resteeped 2-3 times before discarding
6. Drink warm, not cold — TCM consistently advises against cold beverages

Herbs That Require Simmering

Some recipes use harder materials (roots, bark, seeds) that don't release their properties through steeping alone. These require:

1. Combine herbs and cold water in a small pot
2. Bring to a boil
3. Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes
4. Strain and drink

Each recipe below specifies which method to use.

Timing

The Beijing TCM health advisory (translated from Chinese) recommends: steep hard herbs for 10-30 minutes with the lid on, and add delicate flowers only in the last 5 minutes if combining with harder herbs. Effective constituent release time varies by ingredient, but erring toward longer steeping is generally safe for daily teas.

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Teas for Stress, Mood, and Emotional Balance

1. Rose and Jujube Calming Tea (玫瑰红枣安神茶)

Problem: Stress, irritability, mood swings, PMS-related emotional changes, chest tightness.

Ingredients:

• Dried rose buds (玫瑰花) — 5g (6-8 buds)
• Red dates (红枣) — 3, pitted and halved
• Honey — 5g (optional)

Method: Place roses and dates in a lidded cup. Pour boiling water. Cover and steep 15 minutes. Add honey after cooling slightly. Can be resteeped twice.

TCM logic: Rose soothes Liver Qi (疏肝理气) — the #1 mechanism for emotional regulation in TCM. When Liver Qi flows freely, emotions stabilize. Red dates tonify Spleen Qi and prevent the Qi-moving rose from depleting energy. This is the simplest, most widely recommended stress tea in Chinese herbal tea culture. According to a popular Zhihu health article with over 50,000 views, this combination is the most frequently recommended "office tea" by TCM practitioners for stressed professionals (translated from Chinese).

Best for: Women with menstrual-related mood changes, anyone under chronic stress. Avoid if: You have heavy menstrual bleeding (rose moves Blood).

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2. Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Liver-Clearing Tea (菊花决明子茶)

Problem: Stress-related headaches (especially temporal), eye strain, irritability with constipation, bitter taste in the mouth.

Ingredients:

• Dried chrysanthemum (菊花) — 5g
• Cassia seeds (决明子) — 10g, lightly dry-roasted
• Goji berries (枸杞) — 5g

Method: Dry-roast cassia seeds in a pan for 2 minutes until fragrant (this breaks the hard seed coat and improves extraction). Combine all ingredients in a lidded cup. Pour boiling water. Steep 15-20 minutes.

TCM logic: Chrysanthemum clears Liver Fire and brightens the eyes. Cassia seed clears Liver heat, moistens the intestines (addresses the constipation that often accompanies Liver Fire), and lowers blood pressure in Chinese traditional use. Goji berries nourish Liver and Kidney Yin, preventing the clearing herbs from over-cooling. This three-herb combination appears in the Beijing Municipal Health Commission's recommended herbal tea list (translated from Chinese). For more on chrysanthemum, see our chrysanthemum tea guide.

Best for: Office workers with screen fatigue, people with stress headaches and constipation. Avoid if: You have chronic diarrhea or Spleen Yang Deficiency (cassia is cooling and laxative).

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3. Sour Jujube Seed Sleep-Preparation Tea (酸枣仁安神茶)

Problem: Difficulty falling asleep, racing mind at bedtime, dream-disturbed sleep.

Ingredients:

• Sour jujube seed (酸枣仁) — 10g, lightly crushed
• Lily bulb (百合) — 5g
• Longan flesh (桂圆肉) — 5g

Method: Lightly crush sour jujube seeds with the flat of a knife. Combine all ingredients in a small pot with 300ml water. Simmer 15 minutes. Strain and drink 1-2 hours before bed.

TCM logic: Sour jujube seed (酸枣仁) is the #1 sleep herb in TCM — it nourishes Heart Blood and calms the spirit (养心安神). It's the principal herb in Suan Zao Ren Tang (酸枣仁汤), a Han Dynasty formula still used today. Lily bulb clears Heart heat (the restlessness component). Longan nourishes Heart Blood (the deficiency component). This tea addresses the most common insomnia pattern: Heart Blood Deficiency with mild heat — the person who can't "turn off" their mind. See our TCM sleep recipes guide for complementary approaches.

Best for: Anxious insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, menopausal sleep disruption.

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Teas for Digestion and Stomach Comfort

4. Chen Pi and Hawthorn Digestive Tea (陈皮山楂消食茶)

Problem: Bloating after meals, feeling of food sitting heavy, poor appetite, nausea after overeating.

Ingredients:

• Dried tangerine peel / Chen Pi (陈皮) — 6g
• Dried hawthorn (山楂) — 8g
• Barley malt (炒麦芽) — 10g

Method: Combine all ingredients in a lidded cup. Pour boiling water. Steep 15-20 minutes. Drink after meals.

TCM logic: Chen Pi regulates Qi flow in the middle burner and dries dampness — it's the quintessential digestive herb in Cantonese food culture. Hawthorn specifically digests meat and greasy foods. Barley malt digests starches and grains. Together they form what TCM calls "Jiao San Xian" (焦三仙) — the "Three Charred Immortals" of digestion — the most commonly prescribed digestive combination in Chinese pediatric and internal medicine. For more on Chen Pi, see our dried tangerine peel guide.

Best for: Post-meal bloating, holiday overeating, children with food stagnation (at half dose). Avoid if: You have acid reflux — hawthorn is acidic and may worsen GERD.

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5. Poria and Coix Seed Dampness-Draining Tea (茯苓薏仁祛湿茶)

Problem: Heavy body, sluggish digestion, loose stools, brain fog, thick tongue coating.

Ingredients:

• Poria (茯苓) — 10g, broken into small pieces
• Coix seed / Job's tears (薏仁) — 15g
• Chen Pi (陈皮) — 3g
• Lotus leaf (荷叶) — 3g

Method: Soak poria and coix seed for 30 minutes. Simmer all ingredients in 500ml water for 20 minutes. Strain and drink. Can prepare a large batch and drink throughout the day.

TCM logic: This tea addresses "dampness" (湿气) — one of the most common pathological patterns in TCM, especially in humid climates and among people who eat excessive dairy, sugar, and cold foods. Poria drains dampness through the urinary tract. Coix seed clears heat-dampness. Chen Pi dries dampness in the Spleen. Lotus leaf lifts clear Yang and promotes urination. The combination tackles dampness from multiple angles. A clinical survey across 8 southern Chinese cities found dampness-pattern diagnosis in over 50% of first-time TCM clinic patients — making dampness-draining teas the most commonly recommended daily herbal tea category (translated from Chinese). Learn more about dampness in TCM.

Best for: People in humid climates, sedentary workers, anyone with a thick tongue coating.

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6. Ginger and Red Date Stomach-Warming Tea (生姜红枣暖胃茶)

Problem: Cold stomach — nausea from cold food, stomach pain relieved by warmth, poor appetite in cold weather, chronic watery diarrhea.

Ingredients:

• Fresh ginger (生姜) — 3-4 thin slices
• Red dates (红枣) — 4, pitted
• Brown sugar (红糖) — 10g

Method: Simmer ginger and dates in 400ml water for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar. Drink warm.

TCM logic: Ginger warms the middle burner (温中) and disperses cold — it's been the go-to remedy for cold-stomach symptoms for millennia. Red dates tonify Spleen Qi. Brown sugar warms and promotes circulation. This is the simplest, most fundamental warming tea in Chinese medicine and the first thing a Chinese grandmother would offer for stomach discomfort. The Shang Han Lun (《伤寒论》) by Zhang Zhongjing established ginger-date combinations as the base for dozens of classical formulas. See our red date ginger tea recipe.

Best for: Cold constitution, winter stomach discomfort, morning nausea, early pregnancy morning sickness (in small amounts — consult your OB-GYN). Avoid if: You have Stomach heat (acid reflux, burning sensation, red tongue with yellow coating).

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Teas for Immunity and Cold Prevention

7. Astragalus and Goji Defense Tea (黄芪枸杞防感茶)

Problem: Frequent colds, catching every virus circulating, slow recovery from illness.

Ingredients:

• Astragalus slices (黄芪) — 10g
• Goji berries (枸杞) — 8g
• Red dates (红枣) — 3, pitted

Method: Simmer astragalus in 500ml water for 20 minutes (it's too dense for simple steeping). Add goji and dates in the last 5 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day. Can be resteeped with fresh water.

TCM logic: Astragalus strengthens Wei Qi (卫气, defensive energy) — the body's surface immune barrier. It's the most frequently prescribed immune-support herb in Chinese medicine, with clinical evidence showing reduced respiratory infection frequency. Goji berries nourish Kidney and Liver, supporting the deeper constitutional foundation. Red dates support Spleen Qi — which in TCM is the organ system that produces Wei Qi. This tea is recommended for preventive use during cold and flu season, not during active illness. Read more in our astragalus guide.

Best for: Prevention during flu season, people with Qi Deficiency who catch colds easily. Avoid if: You currently have a cold or fever — tonifying during active infection can "lock in" the pathogen.

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8. Honeysuckle and Forsythia Heat-Clearing Tea (金银花连翘清热茶)

Problem: Early-stage sore throat, feeling of coming down with something, mild fever, swollen glands.

Ingredients:

• Honeysuckle flower (金银花) — 8g
• Forsythia fruit (连翘) — 6g
• Mint leaves (薄荷) — 3g
• Licorice root (甘草) — 3g

Method: Combine honeysuckle, forsythia, and licorice in a lidded cup. Pour boiling water. Steep 15 minutes. Add mint leaves in the last 3 minutes only (mint's volatile oils evaporate quickly). Drink warm.

TCM logic: This is a simplified tea version of Yin Qiao San (银翘散), one of the most important formulas for early-stage wind-heat invasion in TCM. Honeysuckle and forsythia are the classic "heat-toxin clearing" pair — they target the upper body (throat, lymph nodes) and have documented antiviral and antibacterial properties in Chinese pharmacological research. Mint releases the exterior, helping the body expel the pathogen through sweating. Licorice harmonizes and protects the Stomach. Drink at the first sign of sore throat — not after the infection is established.

Best for: First 24-48 hours of a sore throat, hot-type cold (yellow phlegm, fever, thirst). Avoid if: You have a cold-type cold (chills, clear runny nose, no fever) — use ginger tea (#6) instead.

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Teas for Eye Health

9. Goji and Chrysanthemum Eye-Brightening Tea (枸杞菊花明目茶)

Problem: Eye strain, dry eyes, blurry vision, floaters, eye fatigue from screen use.

Ingredients:

• Goji berries (枸杞) — 10g
• Dried chrysanthemum (菊花) — 5g
• Cassia seed (决明子) — 5g

Method: Steep all ingredients in a lidded cup with boiling water for 15-20 minutes. Resteep 2-3 times.

TCM logic: This is the "IT worker's tea" in modern China — recommended by virtually every TCM eye health article. Goji nourishes Liver Blood (the Liver "opens to the eyes" in TCM). Chrysanthemum clears Liver heat and brightens the eyes. Cassia seed further clears Liver heat and addresses the downstream digestive effects of prolonged sitting. A survey of TCM practitioners found this combination was recommended to over 80% of patients presenting with screen-related eye complaints (translated from Chinese). See our Chinese herbal eye care teas guide.

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10. Mulberry Leaf and Black Sesame Dry-Eye Tea (桑叶黑芝麻润目茶)

Problem: Chronic dry eyes, dry eye syndrome, eyes that worsen in dry or air-conditioned environments.

Ingredients:

• Mulberry leaf (桑叶) — 6g
• Black sesame seeds (黑芝麻) — 10g, lightly toasted and crushed
• Goji berries (枸杞) — 8g

Method: Toast sesame seeds and crush lightly. Combine all ingredients. Simmer in 400ml water for 15 minutes. Drink warm.

TCM logic: Mulberry leaf clears Lung heat and moistens dryness — the Lungs govern the skin and mucous membranes, including the tear film. Black sesame nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, addressing the root cause of chronic dryness. Goji berries directly nourish the eyes through the Liver channel. This combination works on both the symptom (dryness) and the root (Yin Deficiency).

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Teas for Skin and Beauty

11. Rose and Red Date Beauty Tea (玫瑰红枣美容茶)

Problem: Dull complexion, dark spots, uneven skin tone, signs of premature aging.

Ingredients:

• Dried rose buds (玫瑰花) — 5g
• Red dates (红枣) — 4, pitted
• Goji berries (枸杞) — 5g
• Longan flesh (桂圆) — 3g

Method: Combine in a lidded cup. Pour boiling water. Steep 15 minutes. Resteep 2 times.

TCM logic: In TCM, skin quality reflects Blood quality — "Blood nourishes the face" (血养颜面). This tea nourishes Blood (red dates, goji, longan) and moves Blood (rose) — addressing both Blood Deficiency (pallor, dullness) and Blood Stasis (dark spots, uneven tone). It's the most commonly recommended beauty tea in Chinese women's health articles. For a deeper dive into food therapy for skin, see our skin and beauty food therapy guide.

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12. Coix Seed and Lily Bulb Clear-Skin Tea (薏仁百合清肌茶)

Problem: Acne-prone skin, oily skin with breakouts, skin rashes related to dampness-heat.

Ingredients:

• Coix seed (薏仁) — 15g
• Lily bulb (百合) — 8g
• Chrysanthemum (菊花) — 3g

Method: Simmer coix seed and lily bulb in 500ml water for 20 minutes. Add chrysanthemum in the last 5 minutes. Strain and drink.

TCM logic: Acne in TCM typically involves dampness-heat (湿热) in the skin. Coix seed clears heat and drains dampness. Lily bulb moistens the Lungs (which govern the skin) without generating dampness. Chrysanthemum clears heat from the Liver — Liver heat rising to the face is a classic acne pattern. This formula addresses the standard TCM acne presentation: oily, inflamed breakouts on the lower face and jawline.

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Teas for Women's Health

13. Dang Gui and Red Date Blood-Building Tea (当归红枣补血茶)

Problem: Pale face, fatigue after menstruation, light or scanty periods, dizziness.

Ingredients:

• Angelica root / Dang Gui (当归) — 3g (a small slice)
• Red dates (红枣) — 5, pitted
• Goji berries (枸杞) — 8g

Method: Simmer all ingredients in 400ml water for 20 minutes. Drink warm. Best taken during or after menstruation.

TCM logic: This is a simplified tea version of the Blood-nourishing principle from Si Wu Tang (四物汤). Dang Gui nourishes and moves Blood — the most important Blood herb in TCM. Red dates tonify Qi and Blood. Goji berries nourish Liver Blood. Taken regularly after menstruation, this tea helps replenish the Blood lost during the period. Recommended by TCM women's health practitioners as a 7-10 day post-menstrual routine. See our Dang Gui guide and women's health food therapy guide.

Avoid if: Periods are heavy — Dang Gui moves Blood and can increase flow.

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14. Motherwort and Rose Menstrual Comfort Tea (益母草玫瑰经期茶)

Problem: Menstrual cramps, clotting, PMS bloating, dark-colored menstrual blood with clots.

Ingredients:

• Motherwort / Yi Mu Cao (益母草) — 8g
• Dried rose buds (玫瑰花) — 5g
• Brown sugar (红糖) — 10g

Method: Simmer motherwort in 400ml water for 15 minutes. Strain. Add rose buds and steep 5 minutes more. Stir in brown sugar. Drink warm during the first 2-3 days of menstruation.

TCM logic: Motherwort (益母草 — literally "benefit-mother herb") is the most important herb for menstrual regulation in TCM. It moves Blood, dispels stasis, and regulates menstruation. Rose soothes Liver Qi and harmonizes Blood. Brown sugar warms the uterus and promotes circulation. This combination targets Blood Stasis-type dysmenorrhea — cramps with dark, clotty blood. See our TCM period pain guide.

Avoid if: Periods are heavy — both motherwort and rose move Blood.

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Teas for Seasonal Concerns

15. Peppermint and Honeysuckle Summer-Heat Tea (薄荷金银花消暑茶)

Problem: Summer heat exhaustion, feeling overheated, thirst, restlessness in hot weather.

Ingredients:

• Fresh or dried peppermint (薄荷) — 3g
• Honeysuckle flower (金银花) — 5g
• Licorice root (甘草) — 2g
• Rock sugar — 5g

Method: Combine honeysuckle and licorice in a cup. Pour boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Add mint in the last 3 minutes. Add rock sugar.

TCM logic: Summer heat (暑热) requires cooling and fluid generation. Honeysuckle clears heat and toxins. Mint cools the surface and promotes mild sweating to release heat. Licorice generates fluids and protects the Stomach. This is a simplified version of traditional Guangdong herbal cooling teas (凉茶), which have been commercially sold in southern China for centuries. See our summer herbal drinks guide.

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16. Dried Orange Peel and Perilla Autumn-Dampness Tea (陈皮紫苏秋燥茶)

Problem: Autumn congestion, phlegm, stuffy nose in changing weather, mild cough with the season change.

Ingredients:

• Chen Pi / dried tangerine peel (陈皮) — 5g
• Perilla leaf (紫苏叶) — 3g
• Fresh ginger (生姜) — 2 slices

Method: Simmer all ingredients in 400ml water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink warm.

TCM logic: The autumn transition often brings wind-cold mixed with dampness — stuffy sinuses, mild cough, and general malaise. Chen Pi dries dampness and regulates Qi. Perilla releases the exterior and disperses cold. Ginger warms and assists perilla's dispersing action. This is a gentle, early-intervention tea — used at the first sign of seasonal congestion, before it develops into a full cold.

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17. Astragalus and Chrysanthemum Spring Allergy Tea (黄芪菊花抗敏茶)

Problem: Spring allergies, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose that worsens outdoors.

Ingredients:

• Astragalus (黄芪) — 10g
• Chrysanthemum (菊花) — 5g
• Fang Feng / Siler root (防风) — 5g

Method: Simmer astragalus and Fang Feng in 500ml water for 20 minutes. Add chrysanthemum in the last 5 minutes. Strain and drink.

TCM logic: This is a tea version of Yu Ping Feng San (玉屏风散, "Jade Windscreen Powder") — the most important formula for strengthening Wei Qi against external wind (allergens). Astragalus builds the Qi "shield." Fang Feng expels wind from the surface. Chrysanthemum clears wind-heat from the eyes and nose. Best used preventively — start 2-4 weeks before allergy season begins and continue throughout. Chinese clinical research on Yu Ping Feng San has shown significant reduction in allergic rhinitis symptoms in multiple trials (translated from Chinese).

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Teas for General Wellness and Energy

18. Codonopsis and Red Date Energy Tea (党参红枣补气茶)

Problem: Chronic low energy, fatigue that worsens in the afternoon, weak voice, frequent sighing.

Ingredients:

• Codonopsis root (党参) — 8g
• Red dates (红枣) — 4, pitted
• Dried longan flesh (桂圆) — 5g

Method: Simmer codonopsis in 500ml water for 20 minutes. Add dates and longan in the last 5 minutes. Drink throughout the morning and early afternoon.

TCM logic: Codonopsis is the daily-use Qi tonic — gentler than ginseng, safe for extended use, and effective enough for most Qi Deficiency presentations. Red dates and longan tonify both Qi and Blood, ensuring the energy boost is sustained rather than a spike-and-crash. This tea addresses the "2 PM wall" — the afternoon energy crash that TCM attributes to Spleen Qi failing to maintain its transformation function through the day. See our Qi Deficiency diet guide.

Best for: Office workers, students, anyone with chronic fatigue not caused by an underlying medical condition.

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19. American Ginseng and Chrysanthemum Yin-Cooling Tea (西洋参菊花养阴茶)

Problem: Fatigue WITH heat signs — tired but also hot, dry mouth, irritable, night sweats.

Ingredients:

• American ginseng slices (西洋参) — 3g
• Chrysanthemum (菊花) — 3g
• Dendrobium / Shi Hu (石斛) — 3g (optional, if available)

Method: Place all ingredients in a lidded cup or thermos. Pour boiling water. Steep 20-30 minutes. Resteep 2-3 times throughout the day.

TCM logic: When fatigue coexists with heat signs, regular ginseng (warm) would make things worse. American ginseng (西洋参) is unique: it tonifies Qi while nourishing Yin and clearing deficiency heat — it's cool in nature, unlike Asian ginseng. Chrysanthemum clears additional heat. Dendrobium is a premier Yin-nourishing herb. This combination specifically addresses Qi-and-Yin Deficiency (气阴两虚) — common in overworked professionals who burn through their reserves. For more on American ginseng, see our American ginseng soup guide.

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20. Five-Grain Nourishing Tea (五谷养生茶)

Problem: General constitutional weakness, poor digestion, and wanting a daily foundational health tea.

Ingredients:

• Barley (大麦) — 10g, dry-roasted
• Rice (粳米) — 10g, dry-roasted
• Millet (小米) — 5g
• Red dates (红枣) — 3, pitted
• Goji berries (枸杞) — 5g

Method: Dry-roast barley and rice in a pan until lightly golden and fragrant. Combine all ingredients in a pot with 600ml water. Simmer 15-20 minutes. Strain and drink throughout the day.

TCM logic: This is the mildest, most universally suitable tea in the collection. Roasted grains tonify the Spleen without any risk of side effects. Red dates and goji berries provide gentle Qi and Blood support. The roasting process transforms the grains' nature from bland to slightly warm and aromatic, improving their digestive effect. This tea is appropriate for virtually everyone — including children over 2, elderly, pregnant women, and people with sensitive constitutions. It represents the TCM principle of "nourishing the root" (固本培元) through the simplest, safest ingredients.

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How to Choose the Right Tea for Your Constitution

Not every tea suits every person. TCM's constitutional framework determines which teas are appropriate:

Constitution Type	Best Teas	Avoid
Qi Deficiency (气虚)	#7, #18, #20	#2, #8 (too dispersing/cooling)
Yang Deficiency (阳虚)	#6, #18	#2, #4, #5, #12 (too cooling)
Yin Deficiency (阴虚)	#10, #11, #19	#6 (too warming)
Dampness (湿气重)	#4, #5, #12	#11 (too nourishing, can worsen dampness)
Blood Stasis (血瘀)	#1, #13, #14	None specifically
Liver Qi Stagnation (肝郁)	#1, #2	#6 (not the primary issue)
Heat constitution (热体质)	#2, #8, #9, #15	#6, #18 (too warming)

For a full constitutional assessment, see our nine TCM body constitutions guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drink Chinese herbal teas every day? Mild teas like #1 (Rose-Date), #9 (Goji-Chrysanthemum), and #20 (Five-Grain) are safe for daily use by most constitutions. Stronger therapeutic teas (#8, #14, #17) should be used for specific periods — typically 1-3 weeks — then reassessed. The principle from TCM clinical practice (translated from Chinese): "Herbal teas for prevention can be consumed long-term; herbal teas for treatment should have defined courses." Rotate 2-3 teas weekly rather than drinking the same one daily for months.

Are Chinese herbal teas safe during pregnancy? Many are not. Herbs to avoid during pregnancy include: Dang Gui (当归), motherwort (益母草), hawthorn (山楂), cassia seed (决明子), and Job's tears (薏仁). Safe options include: plain goji-date tea, chrysanthemum tea (in moderation), and the Five-Grain tea (#20). Always consult your OB-GYN and a qualified TCM practitioner. See our pregnancy food therapy guide.

Can I mix different herbal teas together? Not arbitrarily. Each recipe in this guide is a balanced formula — herbs are chosen to complement and moderate each other. Mixing teas from different categories (e.g., a warming tea with a cooling tea) can create conflicting therapeutic actions. If you want to address multiple concerns, alternate teas on different days rather than combining them in one cup.

How do I know if a herbal tea is not right for me? Signs that a tea doesn't match your constitution include: digestive upset (bloating, nausea, diarrhea), feeling excessively cold or hot after drinking, headache, insomnia, or worsening of the symptoms you're trying to address. Stop the tea immediately and try a different formulation. The most common mistake is cold-constitution people drinking cooling teas (chrysanthemum, mung bean, honeysuckle) — these cause stomach discomfort, loose stools, and fatigue.

Where can I buy the ingredients for these teas? Most ingredients are available at Chinese grocery stores (dried goods section), Chinese herbal pharmacies, and online retailers. Chrysanthemum, goji berries, and red dates are increasingly stocked at mainstream Western supermarkets. For specialized herbs like sour jujube seed, Fang Feng, and motherwort, Chinese herbal pharmacies are the most reliable source. Our ingredient sourcing guide provides detailed shopping tips.

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Sources

• Beijing Municipal Health Commission (北京市卫健委) — Herbal Teas as Substitute Beverages (translated from Chinese)
• The Paper (澎湃新闻) — How to Correctly Use Chinese Herbal Tea Substitutes (translated from Chinese)
• People's Daily Health (人民网健康) — Herbal Teas: Drinking the Wrong One Can Harm You (translated from Chinese)
• Baidu Baike — 养生茶 (Health-Preserving Tea) (translated from Chinese)
• Baidu Baike — 中药茶 (Chinese Herbal Tea) (translated from Chinese)
• Bencao Pu (本草铺) — Herbal Tea Collection and Formulas (translated from Chinese)
• Yinchar.com (饮茶人网) — Ten Herbal Tea Formulas (translated from Chinese)
• Zhihu (知乎) — 29 Herbal Tea Combinations for Women (translated from Chinese)
• Sohu Health (搜狐健康) — Herbal Teas and Common Mistakes (translated from Chinese)
• Haohuanjiao (好患教) — Four Seasons Herbal Tea Guide (translated from Chinese)

— The Yao Shan Guide Team