TCM Tea Guide – Balancing Body and Energy

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tea is not viewed as a remedy for specific symptoms,but as a gentle tool to support balance and harmony within the body. "TCM Tea Guide – Balancing Body and Energy" emphasizes this approach, highlighting how tea can be used to harmonize one's constitution and current condition.

Every person has a basic constitution (体质 / tǐzhì) — a long-term energetic pattern shaped by Yin and Yang, Qi and Blood, Heat and Cold.This constitution defines which teas generally strengthen and support you over time.

In addition, your current state can shift temporarily — due to stress, diet, sleep, or weather.An effective tea choice considers both: your fundamental constitution and your present condition.

TCM Body Types & Corresponding Teas

Body Type / Energy State	Typical Characteristics	Recommended Teas	Function / Effect
Yin Type (cool, calm, reserved)	Easily feels cold, pale skin, cold hands and feet, sensitive digestion	Black tea (as Aged Pu-Erh), Red tea	Warms the body, strengthens digestion, promotes circulation and vitality
Yang Type (warm, active, impulsive)	Quickly feels hot, flushed face, dry mouth or skin, restless sleep	Green tea, Matcha, White tea, Yellow tea	Cools, clears the mind, reduces inner heat, calms heart and nerves
Qi Deficiency (low energy, weak digestion)	Fatigue, low motivation, poor digestion, weak voice, shallow breathing	Oolong tea, mild Pu-Erh, Yellow tea	Supports Qi flow, strengthens the middle, gently energizes
Blood Deficiency (Xue Deficiency)	Pale lips, dry skin, dizziness, emotional sensitivity	White tea, mild Red tea, Oolong tea	Nourishes Blood, balances emotions, promotes calm and stability
Dampness Type (Tan / Phlegm)	Heaviness, sluggishness, bloating, tiredness	Pu-Erh, Oolong tea,	Reduces dampness, activates metabolism, relieves the stomach and spleen
Internal Heat / Irritability	Hot flashes, red eyes, irritability, dry mouth	Green tea, Matcha, White tea,	Cools, clears, soothes, reduces “heart fire”
Internal Cold / Weak Digestion	Easily chilled, cold abdomen, fatigue after meals	Black tea (as Aged Pu-Erh), Red tea	Warms, strengthens digestion, supports circulation

Tea as a Daily Practice

Your constitution (体质) changes only slowly — often over years. It determines which teas best support you in the long run.

Your current condition, however, can shift from day to day.Cold weather, overwork, or emotional stress may temporarily disturb your balance.

Remember:

Constitution → main guide for tea selection Current condition → fine-tuning for daily balance

How to apply this in practice:

1. Know your constitution. Ideally, have it assessed by a TCM practitioner.

2. Observe short-term changes. Do you feel more tired, irritated, or chilled today than usual?

3. Choose tea mindfully. Primarily match your constitution; adjust gently for your current state.

4. Notice long-term effects. Tea works subtly — its influence shows over time, not instantly.

Guidance for Practitioners

In the TCM tradition, tea is not a drink against something, but a way to restore harmony. The key lies in understanding your own constitution —and using tea as part of mindful self-care.