As autumn arrives, it brings nightmares for those with phlegm-dampness.During summer, air conditioning and cold drinks accumulate “cold dampness,” which, after the passage of time and the dryness of autumn, successfully transforms from “cold dampness” to “phlegm-dampness.”Thus, many people feel an increase in phlegm in their throats during autumn, which they cannot cough up or swallow.Phlegm-dampness brings more than just phlegm.Phlegm-dampness can cause bad breath.When phlegm-dampness affects the spleen and stomach, it can lead to acid reflux and heartburn, as phlegm-dampness blocks the “bad water.” Phlegm-dampness can lead to bad temper.When phlegm-dampness affects the liver and gallbladder, it can cause indecisiveness and irritability.The gallbladder governs decision-making; when phlegm-dampness obstructs it, one may find it hard to make decisions.Moreover, the liver governs the smooth flow of qi; when phlegm-dampness blocks liver qi, it can lead to a poor temper. The liver and gallbladder are often interconnected.Phlegm-dampness can cause rhinitis.When phlegm-dampness affects the lungs, it can lead to nosebleeds, rhinitis, and skin allergies. The lungs open to the nose and govern the skin, so lung issues often manifest in the nose and skin.Phlegm-dampness can cause oral ulcers.When phlegm-dampness affects the heart, it can lead to sores and ulcers on the tongue. The heart opens to the tongue; when phlegm obstructs the heart, it can accumulate and generate heat.Phlegm-dampness can cause tinnitus.When phlegm-dampness affects the kidneys, it can lead to tinnitus. This is because the ears are the orifices of the kidneys; “phlegm obstructs the kidney orifices, clouding the clear orifices.”For those experiencing these symptoms, autumn is not the time to wait; it is essential to eliminate phlegm-dampness from the body.
The One Flower That Most Fears Phlegm-Dampness—OsmanthusIn spring, we drink rose; in autumn, we drink osmanthus. When it comes to eliminating phlegm-dampness, we must mention this flower of autumn—osmanthus.Eliminating phlegm-dampness is actually quite simple, just like washing dishes.For example,when washing dishes, using hot water makes it easier to remove grease, preventing it from solidifying on the dishes.Phlegm-dampness, at its root, is cold and damp, much like grease solidified in the body.The fundamental way to combat cold and dampness is warmth, to warm and transform it.According to the “Sui Xi Ju Dietary Manual”: “Osmanthus is warm and pungent.It dispels odors, awakens the stomach, and transforms phlegm.” Later physicians often used it to treat symptoms such as cough, excessive phlegm, and bad breath.Osmanthus is warm and brings warmth.A warm cup of osmanthus tea can dissolve the phlegm-dampness in the body, just like grease on dishes, leaving no escape.Here, I recommend a therapeutic tea recipe using osmanthus, which is suitable for those with excessive phlegm and phlegm-dampness in autumn.
Shan Gui Tian Xiang “Phlegm-Removing” TeaAccording to “Zun Sheng Ba Jian,” the ancient recipe “Tian Xiang Decoction” requires a basket of osmanthus to make a cup of tea. We are no longer fortunate enough to enjoy it, nor do we have the heart to do so.However, it is fine to borrow the name of the ancient recipe and use dried osmanthus to make a simple Shan Gui Tian Xiang “Phlegm-Removing” Tea, which has its own unique flavor.–Shan Gui Tian Xiang “Phlegm-Removing” Tea–【Ingredients】
Osmanthus | 3g, raw licorice | 3g
（1 serving）
【Effects】Warms the interior, tonifies Yang, transforms phlegm, and dispels cold.【Frequency】1-2 times a week, can be consumed until the beginning of winter.【Preparation】
1. Brew the Tian Xiang tea, preferably in acovered cup.
2. Place all ingredients in the cup, pour in boiling water,and quickly cover the lid.
3. Cover the lid,and let it steep for 3 minutes to allow the aroma to swirl in the cup.
4. When opening the lid, the curled osmanthus will have fully bloomed, releasing a fragrant aroma.
Those with phlegm-dampness should drink this.Those with phlegm-dampness should drink this.This tea recipe can dissolve phlegm-dampness in the body, keeping the body unblocked, warm, and not deficient, while also boosting Yang energy, warming the spleen and stomach, and improving the cold and stagnant constitution. Those with sufficient Yang energy find it difficult to accumulate phlegm-dampness and waste.Those who feel “sad in spring and autumn” should drink this.As autumn deepens, it is natural for one’s mood to become less buoyant. As long as it is a flower, anything fragrant can actually have a soothing effect. The fragrance of osmanthus can reach the stagnant corners of the body, unblocking stagnation, awakening the spleen and stomach, and dispelling cold, allowing the stagnant liver qi and mood to be released.Those who dislike taking medicine should drink this.In terms of flavor, osmanthus is fragrant, and licorice is sweet and smooth; the entire tea is very enjoyable. There is no medicinal taste at all, only a lingering sweetness that makes one want to drink more.Those with insufficient Yang energy, cold hands and feet, and a weak spleen and stomach should drink this.As we move forward, after the White Dew, we will enter the latter half of autumn, where the cold becomes more pronounced, leading to significant consumption of Yang energy and vitality. This tea is just right to provide warmth and Yang energy to the body.Those who wake up with a dry and uncomfortable throat should drink this.Autumn can be quite dry; after a nap, my throat often feels particularly dry, taking a while to recover.One day after a nap, my throat felt moist. Upon waking, my lips were closed, and I did not experience mouth breathing.Seeing the half-finished cup of Shan Gui Tian Xiang tea, I realized it must be its effect.Osmanthus tea warms the spleen and stomach, not only eliminating phlegm-dampness but also generating fluids.The symptoms of dry throat in autumn were thus alleviated.It was an unexpected benefit.Worried about getting heat from drinking? These types of people should avoid it.When using osmanthus, there is one important consideration: osmanthus is warm and pungent; for those with excessive blockage and heat, it may be difficult to clear out the waste, leading to heat symptoms after consumption.To resolve this issue, one can either reduce the amount of osmanthus by half or pair it with Luo Han Guo, which is also good for soothing the throat and eliminating phlegm, but is cooler in nature. Drinking it alone can be quite cooling, but when combined with osmanthus, it can balance the effects.On the other hand, pay attention to exercise to keep the body more unblocked.At the same time, to fundamentally address phlegm-dampness, one must control their diet and avoid certain foods.Avoid hard-to-digest, rich, greasy, and cold foods, such as red dates, green tea, desserts, cakes, fatty meats, and cold items. Ensuring that no additional waste is added to the body is essential for truly eliminating phlegm-dampness.“Red dates rank first among the 4 types of food that those with phlegm-dampness should avoid; be careful not to eat more and cause harm.”
In addition, the following types of people are not recommended to drink “Tian Xiang Tea”:Those with Yin deficiency and excessive heat(those who are thin and dry, with a dry or cracked tongue, are very prone to heat; drinking osmanthus may lead to heat symptoms.)Those with excessive liver fire(the fragrance can already soothe liver qi; if liver qi is excessively released, it manifests as liver fire. These individuals need to consume something sour to restrain liver qi.)Those who are ill or taking medication(fragrance can act as a medicinal guide, potentially affecting the absorption and efficacy of medications.)Those with food stagnation(if there is food stagnation, it is not advisable to add extra burdens to the spleen and stomach.)! It is especially important to note that pregnant women should not drink osmanthus tea.Have you seen palace dramas? The musk that can cause miscarriage is the most fragrant of all spices and herbs, with the strongest unblocking effect, capable of clearing any corner of stagnation and lumps.The baby in a pregnant woman’s belly is also a lump,but it is a good lump; however, fragrance cannot distinguish, and it may clear it out together.Therefore, pregnant women should not drink osmanthus tea, and they should also avoid strong fragrances.
When brewing osmanthus tea, do not use tea bags.When brewing Tian Xiang tea, I prefer not to use tea bags. When osmanthus floats on the water’s surface, I gently blow them open.Firstly, the fragrance wafts gently, subtly reaching my nose; with each sip, I can experience the beauty of osmanthus again.Secondly, with a little patience, this cup of tea becomes increasingly fragrant.In this way, this small osmanthus adds a lot of poetic charm to my autumn.
Written by | Wan ZhouEdited by | Wan ZhouIllustration by | Ze QiProofread by | Ye Zi
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