🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Types of Chinese Tea and Their Effects on the Body
China has a long history of tea cultivation and processing. Incomplete statistics show over 300 tea varieties cultivated and over 1,000 types produced. Classification methods vary. By processing method and fermentation level, teas are divided into fermented, semi-fermented, and unfermented teas. By quality, based on differences in flavanol content, moisture, and color, they are categorized into green tea, yellow tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, and red tea—six major types. Based on common consumer habits, here are five main types:
1. Black Tea: Fermented tea. Famous examples include Qimen black tea (Anhui), Dianhong (Yunnan), Minhong (Fujian), Yihong (Hubei), Ninghong (Jiangxi), Huhong (Hunan), and Yuehong (Zhejiang). Among these, Qimen, Dianhong, and Yihong are top-quality, renowned worldwide. Characteristics: dark lustrous color, tight twisted strands; deep orange or golden infusion.
Black tea strengthens the stomach, promotes diuresis, and has anti-aging effects. Research on anti-aging drugs found black tea significantly extends lifespan. Ideal for laborers; postpartum women benefit most from black tea with brown sugar.
2. Green Tea: Unfermented tea, China’s main tea type. Processing involves high-heat killing of enzymes, kneading, and drying, preserving original green color—tight, glossy strands; clear green infusion; rich, fresh, astringent taste. Numerous varieties include Longjing (Hangzhou, Zhejiang), Dafang (She County, Anhui), Biluochun (Wuxi, Jiangsu), Yunwu (Lushan, Jiangxi), Zhu Cha (Shengxian, Zhejiang), and Zhenmei (widely produced). Southerners generally prefer green tea. High in vitamin C and tea polyphenols, it offers excellent health and pharmacological benefits—effective against bacteria, radiation protection, preventing vascular sclerosis, lowering lipids, and increasing white blood cells. Green tea effectively blocks nitrosamine formation in the body, outperforming black tea in anticancer effects. However, older people, especially those with habitual constipation, should avoid green tea, as it may worsen symptoms. Youth in developmental stages and writers benefit greatly from green tea.
3. Oolong Tea (also known as Wulong Tea): Semi-fermented tea combining the best of black and green teas—sweet and smooth like black tea, fresh and strong like green tea. Clear, mellow, rich, not bitter, fragrant. Famous brands include Wuyi Rock Tea (Wuyi Mountains, Fujian), Tieguanyin (Anxi, Fujian), and Fenghuang Shuixian (Chao’an, Guangdong).
Oolong tea contains less caffeine, suitable for all ages. It has notable diuretic effects and is an excellent aid for weight loss.
4. Floral Tea: Re-processed tea made by scenting green tea with flowers. Known for its fragrance, clear infusion, rich taste, fresh yet not turbid, fragrant yet not fleeting—combining both flower and tea benefits. Classified by flower type: jasmine tea, magnolia tea, osmanthus tea, pearl blossom tea, pomelo tea, citron tea, rose tea. Produced widely across Fujian, Jiangsu-Zhejiang, Hunan-Hubei, Sichuan-Guizhou, and Anhui-Jiangxi regions.
Northern Chinese generally prefer floral tea. Typically made from green tea base, it inherits green tea’s benefits. Floral tea helps soothe the liver, detoxify, regulate qi, and balance menstruation. Middle-aged women during menopause and girls before/after menstruation often feel irritable; floral tea helps relieve tension. Patients with liver disease, prostatitis, or enlarged prostate should drink floral tea.
5. Compressed Tea: Also called tea bricks, made from coarse old tea leaves or by-products of black, red, or green tea. Processed by steaming, molding, and pressing—classified as reprocessed tea. Shapes include brick, bowl, and round cake. Varieties include Huazhuan, Qingzhuan, Kangzhuan, Mizhuan, Heizhuan, Tuocha, and Bingcha. Convenient for long-distance transport, ideal for remote areas. Compressed tea aids weight loss and slimming. French young women love Pu’er tea, calling it “oil-scraping tea” or “slimming tea.”