Sheng Nong, 2700 BC also known as 'The Divine Farmer' reputedly tasted thousands of Chinese Herbs and mineral to test their therapuetic qualities. He is consideed the father of Chinese Medicine and author of the 'The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica.' He is often attributed with the discovery of tea which he used to to counteract the poisenous herb varities he encountered.
According to Chinese Medicine, tea is cooling, clear heat from the head, stomach and blood, aids skin conditions like hives and acne, relieves headache, and benefits digestion.
Most teas, especially green and white teas, have a cooling effect on the body. High fired Oolongs teas like our Monkey Picked Tieguanyin and Great Red Cloak have a slightly warming quality and are better suited to those with weak stomachs and poor circulation. Aged Puerh teas are also soothing on the stomach and have a neutral temperature.
Traditional uses for tea include:
Cleansing the palette before or after eating
As an antiseptic for mouth ulcers, cuts and sore throats
To disinfect cuts
Steam from tea can be used to sooth eye infections
Soaking feet in old tea for 10 minutes can reduce odours
Remove odour of fish or meat from hands after cooking
Dried, used tea absorbs unpleasant odours in a fridge
Smoke from burning tea keeps mosquitoes away
To enhance the taste of boiled eggs add tea to the water as they boil
An excellent acidic compost