Grain Rain—the sixth of the 24 solar terms and the last one in spring. At this time, the weather becomes warmer, and abundant rainfall nurtures lush, tender shoots and leaves, making it the perfect period for savoring spring tea and enjoying the season.
The Ming dynasty scholar Xu Chishu wrote in his book Tea Notes: “The right time to pick tea is during Qingming and Grain Rain. Qingming is too early, while summer begins too late; the period around Grain Rain is just right.” In the tea-drinking regions of southern China, tea picked before Grain Rain (pre-Grain Rain tea) is highly prized for its superior quality and longevity when brewed.
Now is the ideal time to enjoy floral teas. Here are a few simple recipes to try:
Depression-Relieving Floral Tea
Ingredients: 5 dried roses, 5 dried Chinese roses, 5 chrysanthemum flowers, and 5 jasmine flowers.
Preparation: Place all the dried flowers in a cup, pour boiling water over them, cover, and steep for 2 minutes before drinking.
Efficacy: Soothes the Liver and relieves depression, promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation.
Rose Tea
Ingredients: 3-6 grams of dried roses.
Preparation: Put the roses in a teacup and brew with water around 80°C before drinking.
Efficacy: Regulates qi and relieves depression, promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation, and helps remove spots and nourish the complexion. (Use with caution if you have a heat constitution or during menstruation and pregnancy.)
Ingredients: 2-3 grams of jasmine flowers.
Preparation: Place the jasmine flowers in a Teapot, pour boiling water over them, and Drink the infusion.
Efficacy: Regulates qi and harmonizes the middle, soothes the liver and relieves depression, and dispels noxious influences and toxins. (Jasmine is warm and spicy and should not be used long-term. It is also contraindicated for those with internal heat and for pregnant women.)
Who Should Avoid Drinking Tea?
While there are many benefits to drinking tea, it is not suitable for everyone. The following groups should take note:
Those taking medication should avoid tea.
Tannic acid in tea can bind with drugs containing multiple metal ions or alkaloids in the stomach, forming insoluble substances that affect the efficacy of the medication.
Children and pregnant women should avoid tea.
Tea contains large amounts of tannic acid, which can affect the body's absorption of calcium, iron, and other nutrients, potentially affecting fetal and child development.
People with heart disease should not overconsume tea.
Excessive tea consumption can cause an accelerated heartbeat and even trigger arrhythmia in people with heart disease.
Those with kidney deficiency should not overconsume tea.
Overconsumption of tea by those with kidney deficiency, especially before bedtime, can increase nocturnal urination and disrupt Sleep.
Those with a cold and weak spleen and stomach should avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning.
Drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning can easily damage the function of the spleen and stomach, causing stomach pain and diarrhea in those with a cold and weak spleen and stomach.