The Yin and Yang of teas and resultant physiological/psychological effects
It is known that in traditional chinese medicine, balance in the body of yin and yang leads to homeostasis, or lack of disease. Each tea has its own characteristics of yin or yang which should be used according to the disposition of the individual and the environment he/she encounters. For example, black tea is very yang. Yang is hot, male, and counters yin. In winter, and flu season, yin is more prevalent and a black tea helps counter this by warming the body. Conversely, in summer, cooling or more yin teas such as green and white teas will help counter the heat or yang of the season. There is plenty of peer reviewed research on google scholar outlining the differences in molecular compounds of black and green teas and the resultant effects on yin and yang. Given that there are many many types of teas available, examine the mixtures and compounds and experiment. Find the tea that both tastes good, is affordable, and provides the health benefits/psychological effects that you are looking for.
If I recall right are there not there are also food + tea pairing suggestions/rules along these lines to bring the body in balance?
I think you are right. This is a big world of which I only have surface knowledge so I can lightly say that I do know that there are foods that are cooling(yin) and warming(yang). Ginsengs are certainly categorized for this in Chinese medicine. I have read that predominantly disease is yin, however my reading is limited on this topic. Of course information about food+tea is helpful to customize to temperature outdoors, state of mood/mental disposition of the person, and state of health so those two elements can be customized.
Id love to see more posted about this.
I feel that Pu’er is a Ying and some black teas are very YAng, or Match is YANG.
I also like this post. I was actually reading yesterday about medicinal cuisine, and about yin and yang foods. How during the winter like you said, yang foods are more appropriate especially for those that live in colder climates. There is also yin and yang organs in our body and the qi that’s flows through those organs. https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-food/medicinal-cuisine.htm. This one talks about different recipes and the seasons and their respective yin/yang energy.
Yes, this is pretty much common sense in China, but so hard to explain in the West.
I have a friend who messed up her stomach and having cold hands and feet for weeks after taking a lot of green tea powder (for diet). It’s because high concentration green tea is extremely ‘ying’.
I’m quite sure those who simply love drinking tea, often get it right without even being aware of Yin and Yang. Drinking a soothing ripe pu erh, dark oolong or black tea (which is Yang) is something we naturally crave for during the colder months.
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