Different views on Health in East and West!

While Eastern and Western approaches to health share the goal of promoting well-being and treating illness, they differ in their foundations, philosophies, and methods.

Eastern health philosophy, for example, Chinese medicine, considers the body, mind, and consciousness as an interconnected system where maintaining balance and harmony is crucial. The Wu Xing theory outlines five phases: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, that are linked to meridians, organs, our mind, emotions, seasons, and all natural phenomena. Health relies on the harmonious flow and interaction of these phases.

In contrast, Western medicine typically concentrates on finding the specific causes of illnesses, at the cellular or molecular level, and addresses symptoms or diseases with targeted interventions such as pharmaceuticals or surgery. In the West we tend to prioritize measurable evidence and standardized treatments.

If you want to learn more about tea and health, I recommend my teacher's website: WildTeaQi.

Tea has been a part of Chinese culture and health for many thousands of years. In a written document dedicated to the emperor Shen Nong during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220 CE), the writer concludes: ”If one consumes tea for long, the body gains strength and the mind keenness”.

This quote describes the essence of tea in Chinese culture. Tea should taste wonderful and be of the highest quality. It should be prepared skillfully and make you slow down, but most importantly, for many Chinese, the health benefits that high-quality tea offers are paramount. Tea should be high in qi and transfer its potency to your body and mind. Therefore, it's vital for conscious Chinese individuals and those knowledgeable in TCM to drink the right tea, at the right time of the day, in the right season, adjusted to the individual person's age, gender, and underlying health conditions. 

When looking at the health benefits of tea, it's helpful to keep the different perspectives and approaches between Eastern and Western health philosophies in mind. 

East - the Gardener: Health is viewed as a balanced state that can be developed to higher levels; it’s an active, constantly ongoing process, highly influenced by lifestyle (eating, drinking, breathing, exercising, thinking, the energy field we create within and around us, via our consciousness). Health requires free-flowing qi/prana/life force. You can find similarities between this approach to health and a gardener who constantly takes measurements to make the plants thrive and grow stronger.

West - the Mechanic: Health is often perceived as merely the absence of illness, implying a passive state with minimal personal accountability. Illness is frequently attributed to misfortune or genetic factors, although in reality, only a small percentage of illnesses are due to genetic causes. More commonly, lifestyle choices are the primary contributors to sickness. The Western approach is similar to a mechanic: you find what's wrong, and you change or modify those parts, taking for granted that the whole is OK.

Both systems aim to promote health but approach it from different perspectives: Eastern medicine adopts a holistic approach, seeking to restore balance and harmony within the entire system, whereas Western medicine typically focuses on isolated issues with little consideration of the whole body-mind system.

The Chinese sign for tea: Cha – pronunciation: Tcha. It embodies the essence of Taoism -the unity of man and nature.

The sign for tea above 茶 is made up of three components: 艹  meaning grass/herb

人 human

木 wood 人 is in the middle of 艹 and 木 . The word-by-word meaning is: an herb that grows on a tree, and is good for humans.

Tea is created by nature and is therefore yang. It must be steeped in water to release its goodness; water belongs to yin. So tea is a perfect example of how the elements of yin and yang come together. When yin and yang are balanced, when the energy is flowing harmoniously, we are in a healthy state.

Tea in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Wu Xing Theory

Historically, in China, tea was seen as a beneficial herb and used to enhance strength and vitality in soups and simple brews.

Each type of tea can be associated with one of the five phases:

• Wood (Liver, Gallbladder): Green tea and light oolong teas, as well as young sheng pu-er, fall into this category. With their fresh and slightly bitter taste, they support your metabolism. These teas have a natural cooling effect on the body/mind system and are best consumed when the weather is hot or to cool a hot body.

• Fire (Heart, Small Intestine): Highly oxidized and roasted Oolong and Black teas are warming and aromatic. They typically stimulate circulation and calm the spirit. To a strong black tea, spices like cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and clove can enhance the warming effect even more, as in an Indian Masala Chai. These teas are best enjoyed in late autumn and during winter.

• Earth (Spleen, Stomach): Shou Pu-erh, post-fermented, well-aged teas, and yellow teas belong to the earth element and are therefore grounding. They aid digestion and strengthen the digestive organs, as well as prepare the lungs for the cold in winter. These teas are best enjoyed in the in-between seasons before the coldest winter and in the late winter, before the earliest signs of spring.

• Metal (Lungs, Large Intestine): Herbs and spices to calm, relax, and rejuvenate. These infusions are for the wintertime when we should try to rest as much as we can.

• Water (Kidneys, Bladder): White tea, light and nourishing. White teas are the least processed of all teas, and the finest ones are harvested very early in spring. They are best enjoyed when we and nature need lots of water to prepare our systems for the intense growth that takes place as temperatures rise later in spring.

  
  

By selecting teas that correspond to the specific phases, we can restore balance and approach health holistically.

Western Perspectives on Tea and Health

Western science has increasingly studied tea for its health benefits, focusing on its chemical components such as antioxidants, polyphenols, L-theanine, and caffeine. Research links tea consumption to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved mental alertness, and even potential cancer prevention.

Unlike the holistic approach of Wu Xing, Western medicine often isolates these compounds to understand their effects. For example, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in green tea is studied for its antioxidant properties. Clinical trials explore how tea extracts might support weight management and/or reduce inflammation.

While Western medicine may not frame tea in terms of elemental balance, it recognizes tea as a functional food with measurable health benefits.

Each tea type belong to an element. To dig deeper into this topic, purchase Shana Zhang's interesting book here.

Eastern Perspectives on Tea and Health

Tea can offer a bridge between Eastern and Western health philosophies. In TCM, tea is a tool to balance the body's energies and align with natural rhythms.

This is what we can find in ancient Chinese writings about the benefits of tea:

•Sharpens concentration

•Calms heart, mind & soul and is counteracting depression

•Strengthens the teeth

•Increases metabolism and circulation

•Cleanses the body

•Strengthens the immune system and has anti-inflammatory effects on the body/joints

•Hydrates the body

•Supports long life/overall health when consumed correctly in accordance with Traditional Chinese Medicine and the five elements.

Tea prepared Gong Fu Style.

Practical Ways to Incorporate Tea in your health Routine

Whether you follow Eastern or Western health traditions, tea can be a valuable part of your overall wellness. Here are some practical tips:

• Observe your body’s needs: Notice how different teas affect your energy, digestion, or mood. Adjust your choices seasonally and according to your health goals. Avoid drinking teas from the tea plant Camellia Sinensis in the late afternoon and evening if you are sensitive to caffeine.

• Explore tea types: Try green, black, white, yellow, oolong, and pu-erh teas to experience their unique flavors and effects. All teas from the tea plant Camellia sinensis contain antioxidants and caffeine, and there is often one or several tea types that are preferred by different types of people.

• Practice mindful tea drinking: Use tea time as a moment to slow down, breathe, and connect with your body and mind. Here is a wonderful course on Insight Timer that you can use to become more conscious in regards to your tea drinking, learn more about tea and how to prepare it gong fu style.

• Combine with healthy habits: Tea complements balanced nutrition, regular exercise, mindful breathing, and stress management.

• Consult professionals: If you have specific health concerns, discuss tea use with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in both Western and Eastern medicine.

Tea's contribution to health can be a blend of traditional wisdom and contemporary understanding, as it provides an easy and accessible way to enliven your body and mind.

A tea tasting session in a Spa or Yoga Studio is a very nice experience for everyone involved!

Welcome to contact me for a seasonal tea tasting session or a yoga & tea session. I look forward to tailor it to suit your preferences.