What tea should be consumed during the Awakening of Insects?

The Awakening of Insects, anciently termed “The Startling of Hibernation,” marks the third solar term in the traditional 24-term Chinese calendar and signifies the commencement of the Mao month in the Gan-Zhi system. This period falls between March 5th and 6th in the Gregorian calendar, when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 345°.

Following the Awakening of Insects, nature revives, and the season of warm spring and blooming flowers arrives. However, it is also a time when various viruses and bacteria become active. So, what teas should one drink during this period to prevent illness? Below are some carefully selected teas recommended  for nourishing the liver during the Awakening of Insects, which can help reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and ward off many diseases. We hope these suggestions will be beneficial to you.

Wolfberry and Chrysanthemum Oolong Tea for Liver Nourishment

Ingredients: Appropriate amounts of chrysanthemum, wolfberry, and oolong tea. Brew with boiling water, cover, and let steep for a short while before drinking.
This tea is rich in vitamins B and C, various amino acids, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Regular consumption in moderation can promote blood circulation and metabolism, prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver, nourish the liver and kidneys, and improve vision by dispersing wind. It is an ideal beverage for liver health. Besides the general health benefits of tea, it also offers anti-aging properties, aids in weight loss and body shaping, and reduces internal heat. Wolfberries can enhance the skin’s ability to absorb oxygen, while chrysanthemums can clear the liver and improve eyesight. Together, they provide a balanced approach to health, offering both cleansing and nourishing benefits, and are particularly effective in protecting the eyes.

White Chrysanthemum Tea

Spring often brings symptoms of excessive liver fire. White chrysanthemum tea has the effects of dispersing wind-heat, calming the liver and improving eyesight, nourishing and protecting the liver, and clearing heat and detoxifying effects . It is particularly beneficial for conditions such as external wind-heat or the initial stages of febrile diseases, as well as for symptoms related to hyperactivity of liver yang and liver fire affecting the eyes. Therefore, this tea is suitable for nourishing and calming the liver.
However, individuals with a yang-deficient constitution should be cautious, as excessive consumption of chrysanthemum tea, which has heat-clearing and fire-reducing properties, can damage vital energy and exacerbate weakness, especially in those with a cold and deficient spleen and stomach. Overconsumption of cooling chrysanthemum tea can lead to stomach discomfort and acid reflux. Thus, the use of chrysanthemum tea for reducing heat and fire should be tailored to individual needs and not applied uniformly to everyone.

Wolfberry Tea

Wolfberries have the effects of tonifying the kidneys and essence, nourishing the liver and improving eyesight, and nourishing yin and moistening the lungs. They are beneficial for symptoms such as weakness in the limbs, dizziness, tinnitus, and a sallow complexion caused by kidney yin deficiency and liver qi insufficiency. Regular consumption can also promote blood circulation and prevent arterial hardening, making wolfberry tea a recommended choice for liver nourishment in spring.
The stems and leaves of the wolfberry plant have heat-clearing and thirst-quenching properties and can be used to treat eye diseases and hypertension. The fruits are particularly effective in nourishing and improving eyesight.

Honeysuckle Tea

Honeysuckle tea is sweet in taste and cold in nature, with effects including clearing heat and removing toxins , soothing the throat, and relieving summer heat and irritability. It can be used to treat summer heat syndrome, diarrhea, influenza, boils and abscesses, acute and chronic tonsillitis, and periodontitis. Regular consumption in moderation offers significant health benefits, making honeysuckle tea an excellent choice for liver nourishment and protection during spring.