Health

In recent years, aged tea has gradually gained popularity, with more and more people starting to enjoy drinking it. So, which aged teas are good? What makes them so good? Let’s find the answers together! Aged White Tea — Effective for Reducing Fire and Inflammation As the saying goes, “one year as tea, three years as medicine, seven years as a treasure,” the unique smooth taste of aged white tea is unforgettable upon the first sip. Apart from its great taste, aged white tea also offers excellent health benefits. It is particularly effective in reducing fire and inflammation due to its ability to regulate cellular immune function, lower inflammatory factors, and enhance the body’s capacity to eliminate damaged factors. Experts conducted research on both new and aged white teas and found that the older the white tea, the better its anti-inflammatory effects. Aged Tieguanyin — Rich, Smooth, Clear, and Refreshing Aged Tieguanyin is a high-grade type of Tieguanyin tea. After being baked and cooled, it is sealed and stored in a stone-wood structured warehouse where it remains unaffected by extreme heat or cold. Through a series of chemical changes over time, aged Tieguanyin accumulates rich essences, resulting in an especially…

Basic Introduction to Cele Red Dates"Cele," in the Uighur language, means red dates, and Cele County has a long history of large-scale cultivation of red dates. Using the common local drying method, 2.5 kg of fresh dates can be dried into 1 kg of dried dates. Apart from being dried and eaten fresh, they can also be processed into a series of food products such as beverages, date paste, date tea, roasted dates, honey dates, and canned goods, as well as medicinal health products, all of which have unique characteristics and high nutritional value with health benefits. Nutritional ValueCele Red Dates contain a large amount of Vitamin C and Vitamin B, as well as essential trace elements and various amino acids, including six kinds of amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize. The average sugar content of their fruit is 37%, reaching up to 42% at its highest, with a high content of dry matter. Product CharacteristicsThe dried dates are plump without shriveling, with a bright color, sweet and refreshing taste, and a unique flavor. Historical and Folk CustomsCele County has a long history of large-scale cultivation of red dates. However, due to historical reasons, the county's red date…

Moldy tea is harmful to health and should not be consumed, we all know this. However, sometimes tea enthusiasts express difficulty in distinguishing between moldy tea, "golden flowers," and "white frost." What are the differences between moldy tea, "golden flowers," and "white frost"? Moldy Tea Tea leaves that have gone moldy generally grow white fuzz and emit a musty smell. Severely moldy tea can become rotten and clump together, with green fuzz growing on top, and Pu'er tea may also develop black mold. However, some premium varieties such as Biluochun, Mao Feng, Yunwu tea, Dian Hong, Tuocha, Pu'er, and others, have white down on their leaves. This is due to the tea's tenderness and not the white fuzz that grows when tea has molded. According to Academician Chen Zongmao of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and researcher at the Tea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, tea becomes moldy due to contamination by Penicillium and Aspergillus, which can produce toxins like aflatoxin (classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, it is an extremely toxic substance). Aflatoxin is heat-resistant and cannot be eliminated through high-temperature cooking.…

Parents and other caregivers can guide children to develop lifestyle habits that will support their good health for years to come. We know that as a parent or caregiver you may not have all the answers. Like many Americans, you may even struggle to develop and stick with healthy habits of your own. One way to win this double struggle is to practice healthy lifestyle habits—together!Consuming healthful foods and beverages, doing regular physical activity, getting adequate sleep, and other factors may help children togrowlearnbuild strong bones and musclesmaintain a healthy weightreduce future chances of developing diabetes and heart diseasefeel good about themselvesAs a parent or caregiver, you play a big part in shaping children's eating and drinking habits. When you make it a habit to consume foods and beverages that are low in added sugars, saturated fat, and salt and are high in fiber, the children you care for may learn to like these foods as well. If a child you are caring for does not like a new food right away, don't be upset. Children often need to see a new food many times before they will try it.Be a role model. As a parent or caregiver, you also have an effect on children's physical activity. You…

When it comes to eating, I can definitely be considered a foodie. I'm particularly fond of Baqi lamb soup and have always been thinking about finding the time to have it again. However, after learning how to make Baqi lamb soup, I started making it myself to satisfy my craving for it. Characteristics of Baqi Lamb Soup Baqi lamb soup has a history of over 300 years, making it a time-honored dish. It is made from healthy mountain goats using special techniques, combined with a variety of Chinese herbs and a secret family recipe. The soup goes through ten steps of meticulous preparation to ensure that it is neither fishy nor greasy but rather deliciously flavorful. Moreover, it is known for its health benefits, such as nourishing yin and kidneys and supporting the stomach and spleen, making it a famous specialty snack. How to Make Baqi Lamb Soup Ingredients: Lamb meat, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, ginger, scallions, Sichuan pepper, fennel seeds. Steps: 1. Clean the lamb meat and cut it into small pieces. Wash the scallions and cut them into sections; wash the ginger and cut it into chunks. 2. Place the lamb in a pot and blanch it briefly,…

Turquoise Basic Introduction to TurquoiseTurquoise, the holy stone, can accumulate wealth, heal illnesses, ward off evil, prevent accidents, and improve both mental and physical health. It is universally recognized as a lucky stone. Actually, Turkey does not produce turquoise; it was likely named so because ancient Persian turquoise was initially transported through Turkey to Europe. Product FeaturesThe color ranges from sky blue to green, depending on the ratio of copper and iron content in the mineral. It generally appears in microcrystalline form as a blocky aggregate with a pearly fracture, usually as an outer shell or in nodular form. Currently, artificial turquoise can be synthesized in laboratories, but like synthetic crystals, its color is very uniform, differing from natural turquoise which often has irregularities or other inclusions of different colors, making them easy to distinguish. History and FolkloreWearing turquoise signifies prosperity. A gift is believed to bring more luck than something purchased oneself. Persian men often wore turquoise rings on their little fingers when traveling, while women wore them in hopes of becoming pregnant. In the Middle East, it is also considered a symbol of prosperity. People generally believe that wearing this gemstone brings good fortune, hence men also wear…

A new term has been widely spreading on social media recently—the "crispy youngster." This term refers to young people aged between 18 and 25 who, despite being in the prime of their lives and full of vitality, are prone to injuries. Examples include herniated discs from sneezing or nasal artery ruptures from holding back laughter, making their 20-year-old bodies seem like those of 60-year-olds.The "crispiness" issues faced by young people can be seen as a "modern disease." The fast-paced modern lifestyle, immense work pressure, and lack of health awareness all contribute to this situation. Prolonged sitting in offices leading to stiff shoulders and necks, irregular eating and sleeping patterns, and anxious minds significantly impact young people's physical and mental well-being.Aware of their "crispiness," these young people are seeking ways to become stronger. As a result, health preservation is no longer exclusive to middle-aged and older adults; "New Chinese Health Preservation" is gradually becoming a trend among the younger generation.Recently, strong cold air swept through the south, causing a sharp drop in temperatures, signaling the arrival of winter. The freezing winter months are considered the "golden season" for health preservation. Let's follow Jing Bao to learn some health preservation secrets:Three Principles…

Drinking tea can be beneficial for health and wellbeing, but failing to follow the correct methods of tea consumption can prevent you from fully appreciating its taste and benefits, and may even cause harm to your body. Temperature: Drinking excessively hot tea can irritate the oral and esophageal mucosa, leading to local inflammation. From a nutritional standpoint, slightly cooled to warm tea is most suitable. Drinking overly cold tea can result in the loss of nutritionally valuable components over time, such as catechins and vitamin C, which are easily oxidized. Hangover Relief: Drinking strong tea after alcohol consumption can help with hangovers due to the diuretic effect of caffeine, which facilitates the excretion of acetaldehyde through the kidneys. However, acetaldehyde is harmful to the kidneys, and regularly using strong tea to relieve hangovers can lead to kidney dysfunction. Strong Tea: Consuming strong tea introduces higher levels of caffeine and theophylline, which can stimulate the central nervous system, causing excitement, hyperactivity, and difficulty concentrating, affecting work and rest. Drinking strong tea before bed can disrupt sleep or even cause insomnia. Since tea is inherently cool in nature, drinking strong tea may trigger gastrointestinal issues in elderly or weak individuals, so it's…

With the rising enthusiasm for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the internet is brimming with a wide variety of TCM health preservation knowledge, and many "health bloggers" on social media platforms have become important sources of information for young people. A recent survey conducted by the Social Survey Center of China Youth Daily shows that 51.9% of young respondents choose to learn about TCM health preservation through social media platforms, making it the primary source of such knowledge for the youth. In the face of mixed quality online information, how can one discern truth from falsehood? China Youth Daily interviewed Associate Chief Physician Fan Su from the Characteristic Treatment Center at Wangjing Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. He summarized several common misconceptions regarding TCM health preservation based on current hot topics.China Youth Daily & China Youth Online Journalist: "Removing dampness" is a popular concept among young people today. Is "removing dampness" suitable for everyone?Fan Su: Many young people do not fully understand what "dampness" means and sometimes blindly try to remove it. "Removing dampness" is not suitable for all constitutions. For example, those with poor spleen and stomach or cold or yin-deficient constitutions should not blindly use…

Most people today cannot live without electronic products; they cannot work without computers or live without smartphones and tablets. This has led many to worry about their eye health. The "Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine" states that "the essence of the five zang and six fu organs all converge in the eyes." Our ability to see depends on the nourishment provided by the essence of these organs. The liver is associated with the eyes, and the function of the eyes requires the nourishment of liver blood. Insufficient liver blood can cause dryness, irritation, fatigue, and a dull appearance in the eyes. Similarly, excessive use of the eyes will inevitably deplete liver blood, exacerbate eye discomfort, and cause premature aging of the eyes. Remember the following one soup, one tea, and one acupoint, which can help restore the health and brightness of your eyes.Pork Liver and枸杞 SoupIngredients: 100g of fresh pork liver, 15g of枸杞 berries, 5g of Rehmannia root (prepared), an appropriate amount of ginger threads, salt, oil, starch, etc.Preparation: Rinse the pork liver thoroughly under running tap water, then soak it in a basin for one hour to remove residual blood. Blanch the pork liver in boiling water, slice…

Basic Introduction to Tai Mountain ChestnutsTai Mountain Chestnuts, also known as Ming chestnuts and referred to in Japan as "Tai Mountain Sweet Chestnuts," are primarily cultivated around Tai Mountain and Cu Lai Mountain. Varieties include Tai Mountain Thin Shell, Jianpeng, Red Chestnut, Flowerless, and Song Early Harvest. Chestnuts belong to the beech family and are deciduous trees; they are widely used in food processing, cooking, banquets, and as a side dish. Chestnuts can be eaten raw or roasted and are also considered a nutritious green food. Nutritional ValueThe fruits of Tai Mountain Chestnuts are rich in nutrients essential for human health. According to traditional Chinese medicine, they have effects such as strengthening the spleen and stopping diarrhea, tonifying the kidneys and reinforcing tendons, and promoting blood circulation and stopping bleeding. Chestnuts used medicinally can treat various illnesses. The protein content in chestnuts is similar to that in flour but twice that of sweet potatoes; their amino acid content is 1.5 times higher than corn, flour, and rice; and their fat content is twice that of rice and flour. Vitamin C content is five to ten times greater than in apples, pears, and peaches. The heat generated by chestnuts is similar…

The water spinach contains a relatively rich amount of crude fiber, which promotes bowel movement and has a laxative and detoxifying effect. I often buy a bundle to stir-fry at home. Sometimes with garlic, sometimes with red fermented tofu, or white fermented tofu, each has its own unique flavor. I particularly love the taste when cooked with white fermented tofu. It is very convenient to cook, and there's no culinary skill required; just quickly stir-fry it and add the fermented tofu for seasoning. It is a dish that detoxifies and cleanses the intestines, especially suitable for health-conscious women who are concerned about gaining weight. Method 1 of Fermented Tofu Water Spinach Ingredients: Main Ingredients: 400 grams of water spinach. Seasonings: 2 tablespoons of peanut oil, 1/3 teaspoon of salt, 4 cloves of garlic, 2 red chili peppers, 20 ml of water, 1 piece of white fermented tofu. Steps: 1. Wash the water spinach thoroughly, then cut into sections 3-5 cm long. Crush the garlic and finely chop it, slice the chili peppers into strips, and in 20 ml of cold water, crumble the fermented tofu and set aside as the fermented tofu sauce. 2. Heat a wok, pour in enough…

Locust flower tea, with its unique aroma and health benefits, is much loved by tea enthusiasts. This article will detail the preparation method of locust flower tea, from traditional handcrafting to modern mechanized production, guiding you through the charm of this traditional beverage. The History and Culture of Locust Flower Tea Locust flower tea has a long history in China, dating back to the Tang Dynasty. Locust flowers are not only beautiful ornamental plants, but their blossoms also have medicinal properties, including heat-clearing and detoxifying effects as well as cooling and blood-stanching benefits. In ancient times, locust flower tea was often consumed as a refreshing summer drink. Over time, the preparation techniques for locust flower tea have evolved, gradually forming a complete process. Selection of Raw Materials for Locust Flower Tea To make locust flower tea, one must first choose high-quality locust flowers. Generally, the best time to pick locust flowers is between May and June when the buds are about to bloom and the aroma is most intense. When selecting, choose bright-colored flowers free from disease, pests, and impurities. Traditional Handcrafted Preparation Process of Locust Flower Tea The traditional preparation process of locust flower tea includes the following steps:…

In the eyes of many tea lovers, wasting tea is a shameful thing. We often hear that we should “love tea” and “cherish tea,” and not waste it. However, there are times when some people end up harming their health because they don’t know how to properly discard certain teas. I once read a report about Mr. Cai who, unwilling to throw away his damp and slightly moldy premium tieguanyin, thought it was too expensive to discard and continued drinking it. A week later, he suddenly experienced symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and weakness in his limbs, falling ill in bed. Many tea enthusiasts have had the same mindset as Mr. Cai, unwilling to waste tea because of its cost, and thus continue to drink moldy or spoiled tea. Moldy and spoiled tea contains various mycotoxins like penicillic acid, chlorocyclohexane, and xanthone, which, if ingested, can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, and weakness in the limbs; long-term consumption can lead to diseases such as organ degeneration, necrosis, and even cancer. Therefore, you must learn to discard moldy, tainted, and otherwise spoiled tea. Sometimes, wasting tea isn’t a bad thing; don’t let the price of the…

  As its original producer and cultivator, it’s no surprise that the art of tea is embedded in China’s culture and history. In China, teas aren’t just simple beverages you drink when you’re thirsty. Teas are also central to their spiritual relaxation, and the process of drinking teas also has its own set of etiquettes and related ethics. Additionally, teas have health benefits you definitely wouldn’t want to miss. Know More About Your Favorite Chinese Tea Nowadays, the consumption of tea is spread throughout the world, with most countries having their own variation and unique preparation processes. Still, nothing beats traditional Chinese teas, and fortunately, there are many places you can look.  Before you go tea-shopping, it’s best to know what tea you should go for. Below, we’ve got a summary of the things you need to know about your Chinese tea options   Green Tea   Chinese Green Tea is one of the most common and most consumed teas over the world. The Chinese Green Tea is a type of unfermented tea that doesn’t undergo the usual oxidation and withering process used when making other types of teas.  Flavor Profile Chinese Green Tea usually have a sweet and light…

With the development of the social economy and the improvement of people's living standards, people's understanding of health has gradually deepened. More and more people are paying attention to sub-health and actively preventing and treating it. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon states, "Man relies on water and grains as his foundation," indicating that humans depend on water and grains for survival. When water and grains enter the stomach, they undergo rotting and digestion in the stomach, and then the spleen transforms and transports them to distribute their essence throughout the body, nourishing all the zang-fu organs. This idea of "man relying on stomach qi as his foundation" is significant for the prevention of diseases. The renowned physician Li Dongyuan of the Jin-Yuan era proposed the academic thought that "all diseases arise from internal injuries to the spleen and stomach," highlighting the extremely important position of the spleen and stomach in the human body, with their health directly affecting the health of the body. Physiological Functions of the Spleen and Stomach In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the "spleen and stomach" refers to a functional concept that goes far beyond the anatomical scope of the spleen and stomach, encompassing the functions of…

As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”. The core belief of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lies in prevention. What better way to prevent yourself from falling sick than to build a strong immunity to keep yourself healthy?The ongoing pandemic situation has been accompanied by a rising interest in immunity boosting foods and products. In our recent Ask My Physician webinar on “Boosting your Immunity – the TCM Perspective”, TCM Physician Tay Jia Yin from Raffles Chinese Medicine shared with us how TCM looks at immunity and how we can use TCM to protect us from illnesses such as the common cold and allergies.TCM and QiFrom the perspective of TCM, the amount and quality of “Qi (气)” or “life force” determines how healthy and full of vitality a person is. This Qi needs to be balanced in order to maintain good health. A person with strong Qi is full of energy and does not fall sick easily. Even when they do, the illness tends to be mild. On the other hand, a person with weak Qi gets tired easily and frequently falls ill.What are some ways to strengthen your Qi for better immunity? Here are 5 tips from Physician Tay.1. Eat healthyThere…

As people's living standards continue to rise, so does their awareness of health. The demand for health knowledge among Qingpu residents is becoming increasingly urgent.The Qingpu District Media Integration Center and the Qingpu District Health Commission have jointly created a talk show program aimed at Qingpu residents – Listen to Health in Qingpu. This program aims to popularize health tips and knowledge about the prevention, treatment, and care of common diseases through interviews and Q&A sessions. By detailing actual cases encountered by expert doctors during their clinical practice, the program provides answers to health-related questions that concern the public. Today's health guest: Chen Caojie.Is chronic pharyngitis common in our daily lives?Chronic pharyngitis is a common upper respiratory tract disease. Its main clinical manifestations include discomfort or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat (such as feeling something stuck in the throat that won't go down or come out), severe cases may present with sore throat or a burning sensation. Most patients exhibit frequent swallowing or throat clearing. Many patients experience nausea and dry heaving when brushing their teeth in the morning. Chronic pharyngitis has a long course and is prone to recurrent episodes. It is a common and…

TCM recommends getting one more hour of sleep, drinking more water and eating moistening foods to maintain health and keep your body's energy in sync with cosmic energy.Chu Shu on the Chinese lunar calendar usually falls around August 23. Temperatures usually remain high for around 18 days before it starts to cool off south of the Yangtze River, according to Qing Jia Lu by Gu Tieqing in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The book describes the culture and customs in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, and nearby areas.At this time of year, the yang energy in the universe begins to descend from its peak while yin energy starts to grow. Accordingly, the yang energy in the human body also starts to decline. Thus, at least another hour of sleep is recommended.Though ancient Chinese wisdom calls for taking a nap whenever you feel sleepy after Chu Shu, in these times it's not possible to just nod off when you feel like it. A nap of up to an hour at midday is recommended, if you can manage.Getting good quality sleep at zi (11pm-1am) and wu (11am-1pm) is important for health.The yin and yang energy in the human body will shift along with energy changes in the…

I. Introduction In the long history of tea culture, dark tea shines like a brilliant pearl, emitting its unique charm. As one of the six major types of tea, dark tea has earned the affection of many tea enthusiasts with its profound heritage, rich nutrition, and diverse benefits. Drinking dark tea regularly not only brings us enjoyment in taste but also potentially offers numerous health benefits, perhaps even saving a significant amount on medical expenses in the future! Let's embark on a journey into the world of dark tea to appreciate its unique style. II. History and Heritage of Dark Tea The history of dark tea can be traced back to ancient times, originating from southwestern China before gradually spreading across the country and the world. Throughout its long history, dark tea has witnessed countless changes and carried people's aspirations for a better life. The production techniques of dark tea have been passed down through generations of tea makers, evolving into the exquisite and unique craft we see today. From picking mature leaves to undergoing processes such as withering, rolling, pile-fermentation, and drying, each step embodies the wisdom and dedication of tea makers. This inheritance of traditional techniques is not…

Don't be irritated, upset or depressed. Or too stressed-out for too long, or seethe with anger. If these moods become habits of mind, they will affect your health, add wrinkles to your face and make you age prematurely.Maintain a good mood and even spirits for good health is common traditional advice to Chinese women for beauty and health - the same goes for men.Life has ups and downs, and being happy or sad doesn't undermine your health.Sudden and sharp mood changes or prolonged bad or blue moods, however, can disorder the flow of internal energy and damage the organs.Control your mood, says traditional Chinese medicine, though it's often not easy. Life is stressful and complicated.Western medicine, too, knows that long-term stress and exposure to cortisol, the "stress hormone" can cause cardiac, immune, nervous, metabolic, cognitive and other problems.TCM identifies seven emotions or feelings: happiness, anger, worry, thought, sorrow, fear and shock.They are, of course, not so simply detectable as facial expressions.TCM believes our psychology is closely related to certain organs and energy flows.The energy in wu zang (the five internal organs) supports the changes of mood, according to "Huang Di Nei Jing"("Medical Classic of Yellow Emperor"), the fundamental classic of…

A portrait of Emperor Qianlong by painter Giuseppe Castiglione (Lang Shining).[Photo provided to China Daily]The love life of Emperor Qianlong from Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) has been a subject of discussion on China's social media recently thanks to two TV series－The Story of Yanxi Palace and Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace take the baton.Emperor Qianlong, who died aged of 87, was also one of the longest-living monarchs in China.His good health is attributed to his good habits, according to Hu Xiaofei, a professor at Beijing Sport University.Speaking about the emperor's habits, Hu says: "He had a list of 10 things to do often and four things not to do."The 10 things to do involved 10 parts of body－the teeth, throat, ear, nose, eyes, face, feet, stomach, legs and arms, and hips.And among the four not-to-do things were no talking while eating and resting and not drinking too much."One of his 10 things to do involved rubbing the face, which is a good practice in the autumn," says Hu.The nose and ear massage with warmed hands is something we can learn from Emperor Qianlong, according to Hu Xiaofei, a professor at Beijing Sport University.[Photo provided to China Daily]"But you must warm…

In China, there is a tradition of making nourishing soups for health benefits. In this comprehensive guide to soup recipes, we have already covered soups made from ingredients like pork ribs, pig's trotters, chicken, and duck. Today, we continue with the section on pigeon soup recipes.Pigeon Soup Recipe: Matsutake and Sea Cucumber Pigeon SoupIngredients:1 pigeon, 10 slices of matsutake mushrooms, 3 rehydrated sea cucumbers, 3 ounces of loin meat, 4 dried figs, 5 slices of ginger, 2 tablespoons of rice wine, and salt to taste.Instructions:1. Rinse the matsutake mushrooms under running water and soak them in cold water until soft; set aside. 2. Clean the pigeon and the loin meat and blanch them to remove any impurities. 3. Cut the pigeon and loin meat into large pieces, rinse them under warm water, and place them in a clay pot. 4. Add the water used to soak the matsutake mushrooms along with the mushrooms themselves, dried figs, rice wine, and ginger slices. Pour enough hot water over the ingredients so that it covers them by about 1 inch. 5. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for two hours. Add the…

Vessels are a crucial transportation line for the human body, vital for overall health. However, with age and other influencing factors, vessels gradually age, leading to arteriosclerosis, which can trigger a series of cardiovascular diseases. This condition is no longer limited to middle-aged and elderly individuals; in recent years, there has been a trend towards younger individuals, particularly women, who should pay close attention. When female friends experience symptoms such as chest tightness, cold hands and feet, numbness in the limbs, elevated blood pressure, increased blood sugar levels, and reluctance to exercise, it indicates that vascular aging is quietly progressing.Vascular aging appears to have a preference for women.According to the latest data from the World Heart Federation, cardiovascular disease accounts for 35% of annual deaths among women globally, making it the true "number one killer" of women.Most women do not smoke, drink excessively, or have unhealthy habits, so people have always believed that the risk of cardiovascular disease in women is lower than in men. However, data shows that women's vessels age faster compared to men's, and the severity of cardiovascular disease is also more significant.Research indicates that, compared to men, women show a faster upward trend in blood pressure…