With so many wellness teas on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), however, tea is more than a soothing beverage—it is a targeted therapeutic tool.

Rather than offering the same remedy to everyone, TCM determines the most suitable herbs by evaluating a person’s body constitution, age, stress load, and physiological stage of life. This approach, known as pattern identification, helps match specific teas to the body’s current needs—whether to support energy, digestion, hormonal balance, mental calmness, or healthy aging.

On the “Health 1+1” program on NTD, a sister outlet of The Epoch Times, Li Xue, a licensed acupuncturist and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner based in New York, shared how different tea blends can benefit men and women across various age groups, and how key TCM concepts guide the recommendations.

Herbal Teas for Women Ages 25 to 45

For women ages 25 to 45, health maintenance should align with the menstrual cycle, Li said.

Women in this age group may experience stagnation of energy flow and reduced blood circulation due to stress. In TCM, the liver is believed to regulate the body’s energy flow. The liver meridian, or energy pathway, which passes through the reproductive system, is closely connected to autonomic nervous system activity, emotional regulation, and menstrual health.

Before Menstruation: Rose + Goji Berry Tea

A few days before the menstrual cycle, supporting liver qi flow can help ease physical and emotional tension.

• Rose: Gently “moves” liver qi, helping reduce stress-related tightness and mood swings.


• Goji berries: Nourish the liver and blood. In TCM, “blood” refers not only to the physical substance but also to the body’s nourishing and stabilizing functions. Goji berries help calm the mind and support healthy hormonal rhythms. Research also found that Goji berries are rich in polysaccharides, which support immune regulation and nourish the liver and kidneys.

Ingredients

• 12 dried rose buds


• 10 grams goji berries

Preparation

1. Rinse ingredients thoroughly.


2. Place ingredients in 500 milliliters of boiling water. Steep for 15 to 20 minutes before drinking.

After Menstruation: Longan–Jujube–Lilyturf–Astragalus Tea

After menstruation, women who feel physically weakened may benefit from drinking a tea made with longan, jujube (red dates), dwarf lilyturf root, and astragalus. This blend helps replenish qi (vital energy) and blood while supporting nutrient absorption.

• Longan and jujube: Traditional ingredients used to nourish the blood and tonify qi. They are rich in iron and vitamins, which may help improve anemia and increase vitality.


• Dwarf lilyturf: Nourishes body fluids, helpful when the body feels dry or fatigued.


• Astragalus: Strengthens qi, supports immunity, and improves nutrient absorption.

Ingredients

• 10 grams astragalus root


• 10 grams dwarf lilyturf root


• 4 jujubes


• 8 longans

Preparation

1. Rinse all ingredients thoroughly.


2. Pit jujubes and longans.


3. Place ingredients in 1,000 milliliters of water.


4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking.

Alternatively, place the ingredients in a thermos, add boiling water, and steep for about 30 minutes before drinking.

Herbal Teas for Women in Menopause

Women 45 and older who are experiencing menopause or are postmenopausal may develop yin deficiency, a TCM concept referring to a reduction in the body’s cooling, moistening, and restorative forces. Symptoms may include night sweats, irritability, dryness, or a sensation of internal heat. Certain herbal teas may help ease menopausal symptoms.

Mulberry and Jujube Tea

Mulberries are rich in anthocyanins and vitamins and are considered yin-nourishing in TCM. Jujubes enhance digestion and circulation, complementing mulberry’s restorative effects.

Ingredients

• 15 mulberries


• 10 jujubes

Preparation

1. Pit the jujubes.


2. Place jujubes and mulberries in 1,000 milliliters of water.


3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking.

Alternatively, place the ingredients in a thermos, add boiling water, and steep for about 30 minutes before drinking.

Lily Bulb, Dwarf Lilyturf, and Codonopsis Root Tea

• Lily bulb: Moistens dryness and soothes mental restlessness.


• Dwarf lilyturf: Replenishes yin and fluids.


• Codonopsis: Strengthens qi and digestion, helping the body utilize nutrients more effectively.

This blend may reduce dryness, ease heat sensations, and promote restful sleep.

Ingredients

• 10 grams dwarf lilyturf root


• 10 grams lily bulb


• 10 grams codonopsis root

Preparation

1. Add ingredients to 1,000 milliliters of water.


2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking.

Herbal Teas for Men Ages 25 to 35

Men in this group often experience stress, irregular eating patterns, late-night work, or frequent social drinking. In TCM, these habits may contribute to a pattern called liver fire, an excessive internal heat that can manifest as irritability, indigestion, or sleep disturbances.

Chrysanthemum and goji berry tea is recommended for men aged 25 to 35. Chrysanthemum helps clear liver fire and brighten the eyes, while goji berries nourish the liver and kidneys. Together, they may help reduce liver fire and relieve stress-related fatigue, Li said.

Chrysanthemum and Goji Berry Tea

Ingredients

• 10 dried chrysanthemum flowers


• 10 grams goji berries

Preparation

1. Place the chrysanthemum flowers and goji berries in 500 milliliters of boiling water.


2. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking.

For people who frequently drink alcohol or eat at irregular times, poria and coix seed tea is recommended to support digestive function, Li noted.

Poria and Coix Seed Tea

• Poria: A mildly sweet medicinal fungus that strengthens the spleen—in TCM, the organ responsible for digestion and nutrient transformation. Research has shown that polysaccharides, the main active compounds in poria, exert diuretic, spleen-strengthening, immune-modulatory, and calming effects.


• Coix seeds: Support digestion and reduce dampness—a TCM term referring to stagnation caused by poor fluid metabolism. The study also found that coix seeds contain polysaccharides, fatty acids, and proteins, and have demonstrated diuretic, spleen-strengthening, anti-inflammatory, and digestion-supporting properties.

Ingredients

• 10 grams poria


• 10 grams coix seeds

Preparation 

1. Place ingredients in 1,000 milliliters water.


2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes before drinking.

Alternatively, place the ingredients in a thermos, add boiling water, and steep for about 30 minutes before drinking. When used together, poria and coix seeds can help alleviate digestive problems associated with spleen and stomach deficiency.

In TCM, foods are categorized by their energetic properties, such as cold, hot, warm, or cool. For people with weaker constitutions, consuming too many foods with cold or cooling properties may lead to symptoms such as frequent urination or diarrhea.

Raw coix seeds are considered cooling in nature and are suitable for those who often feel overheated or experience dry mouth. In contrast, stir-fried (cooked) coix seeds are warming in nature and can help promote digestion.

Herbal Teas for Men Ages 35 to 50

For men ages 35 to 50, it is important to nourish kidney qi and maintain the balance of qi and blood. Mulberry and goji berry tea is recommended, as both ingredients support liver and kidney health.

Mulberry and Goji Berry Tea

Ingredients

• 10 grams mulberries


• 10 grams goji berries

Preparation

1. Place mulberries and goji berries in 500 milliliters of boiling water.


2. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking.

Herbal Teas for Men Ages 50 and Above

Men over 50 often face signs of kidney deficiency, such as frequent nighttime urination, declining stamina, or lower back weakness. In TCM, this reflects a gradual depletion of “kidney essence,” the body’s deepest reserve of strength. Rehmannia, Chinese yam, cornus, and poria tea are recommended to help alleviate these symptoms.

Rehmannia, Chinese Yam, Cornus, and Poria Tea

• Rehmannia: A deeply nourishing kidney tonic traditionally steamed with wine or black sesame.


• Cornus fruit: Supports liver and kidney function.


• Chinese yam: Strengthens digestion and replenishes kidney qi.


• Poria: Promotes urination and calms the mind.

A 2022 study noted that the combination of rehmannia and cornus is a common TCM formula for treating chronic kidney disease, as it may improve kidney function by regulating the “gut–kidney axis.”

Together, these herbs work synergistically to help alleviate symptoms associated with kidney deficiency.

Ingredients

• 6 grams prepared rehmannia root


• 6 grams cornus fruit


• 10 grams dried Chinese yam slices


• 10 grams poria

Preparation

1. Rinse ingredients thoroughly.


2. Place ingredients in 1,000 milliliters water.


3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking.

Summary

Choosing the right ingredients and preparation methods is one of the simplest and most natural ways to support overall health. By starting with a cup of tea tailored to your needs, you can bring the wisdom of TCM into daily life and promote lasting wellness.

Note: While some of the ingredients in this article may be unfamiliar, they are often available in Asian supermarkets or online herbal and natural health stores.