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Common Chinese Herbal Teas |
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Chinese herbal teas are also called Tisanes and are not, technically
speaking, actually teas. Rather, they are infusions made from herbs
instead of tea that is made from the Camelia Sinensis plant. The essence
of the herb is extracted when the tea is steeped in hot water.
Chinese
herbal teas are traditionally used for their healing, medicinal
properties. Many varieties are also enjoyed simply for their taste,
however. China is known for producing an entire pharmacy of herbs, making
the herbal teas from there increasingly popular today.
The
Beneficial Properties of Chinese Herbal Teas
The caffeine-free
alternative represented by herbal teas is one of the well-known benefits
Chinese herbal tea offers. Additionally, many of them are attributed with
very soothing and comforting effects. Rosebud and Chrysanthemum herbal
teas are two of the more popular examples of them.
Rosebud and
Chrysanthemum teas are considered in China to be a woman's herb. They are,
however, also useful for aiding digestion. Even a hard-core tea drinker is
sure to enjoy the fresh floral flavor of these miniature rosebuds.
Chrysanthemum tea has long been used to cool the body and reduce fever and
has a particularly unique flavor.
Due to the lack of caffeine,
Chinese herbal teas are great beverages to have when caffeine would be
avoided, such as at night before bed.
The Fantastic Flower Herbal
Teas
Among the many varieties of Chinese herbal teas are the wildly
popular flower teas. These teas are, like all herbal teas, caffeine-free
alternatives and offer various benefits. Most offer a palate of flavors
while being calming and soothing.
The following are among the more
famous of the flower herbal teas (alphabetically):
* Carnation
Flower Tea--The tea brewed from this is attractive red flower is said to
help restore the energy of the body. It is also widely used for relaxing.
*
Chrysanthemum Herbal Tea--This tea has a subtle sweetness and is regarded
as highly refreshing. Among the popular cooling infusions this is a
premier choice.
* Forget Me Not Flower Tea--This brews a mild and
grassy flavored tisane. Said to aid the lungs, it is also caffeine-free.
It is widely known for its beautiful purple flowers.
* Gongju
Herbal Tea--The Gongju flower is known for its soothing and relaxing
attributes and brews a smooth tasting herbal tea.
* Jasmine Bud
Flower Tea--This Chinese herbal tea, according to some experts, is
comprised solely of the small and beautiful Jasmine flowers that have not
yet opened. The tea produced sweet and caffeine-free.
* Kuding
Pearl Tea--The leaves for this variety are rolled into large pearls, which
is one of the sources of its nickname, "one leaf tea" due to the size of
the leaves. The other reason it is called "one leaf" is because of the
belief that only one leaf of this tea is needed to heal a number of
things. Many people consider this tea to be a bitter tea, but nearly
everyone agrees that this ancient leaf brews an interesting herbal tea.
*
Yunnan Flower Bud Tea--This Chinese herbal tea grows, as implied by the
name, in the old forests of Yunnan. This rare flower is primarily a local
Yunnan drink and is caffeine free.
* Wild New York Ginseng--For
those who appreciate the wild growing conditions in which the roots ripen
this is another well-known Chinese herbal tea. It is said that each root
develops a unique appearance and personality because of the rugged wild
conditions. Size and age can vary greatly, with some of these wild roots
being very small and very old while some larger roots are much younger.
These herbal roots live for seven years or more.
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