The number one question asked by patients during the fall months: "What type of tea should I be drinking?"
Full fermented or commonly referred to as Black Tea. There are many companies selling tea, so whichever one satisfies your palate is the one to purchase.
A brief scientific analogy on tea will explain why you drink black tea this time of the year as opposed to summer or spring.
Here in the United States, we have what is called: Yellowstone. It is found in abundance out west, hence Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone is very yang in terms of energy. Remember, Yang is the more robust energy where as Yin is more supple. Yang energy produces heat inside and outside of the body.
During fall and winter months, our bodies go into a semi cool state as the yang energy is reduced and the cold weather along with snow, cools the yellowstone. Actually, everything in nature in the Midwest goes in a some form of hibernation. This helps rebuild and repair the damage done by excess yang. Full fermented tea will help reduce the internal cold.
In countries on the other side of the world, such as China, yellowstone doesn't exist, and if it does, it is so minute that it isn't really registered. So the yin is dominant. Peoples there can drink green tea all year round without any side effects. Drinking green tea in the United States during the cold months can affect your immune system. The coldness may also aggravate arthritis, digestion, and emotions just to name a few. The only time you should be drinking cold liquids such as ice water at this time of year is if you are experiencing stomach heat. You can check this on your own by looking at the coating on your tongue. If it is a thick - yellow coat, then you have stomach heat and ice water will help with that. Remember, the ice water may affect your arthritis creating joint pain during the winter months, so you may want to try eating green leafy vegetables instead.
In conclusion: the type of tea you drink should be comparable with the seasons. Enjoy your cup of tea!!
Until next time
Dr. Rick
