Herbal Teas
Tangerine Peel, Hawthorn, and Malt Tea
Tangerine Peel, Hawthorn, and Malt Tea is a classic Chinese medicinal digestive tea, originating from traditional Chinese herbal formulas. It combines three medicinal and edible ingredients: tangerine peel (Chenpi), hawthorn, and malt. Tangerine peel is pungent and bitter in taste, warm in nature, and channels to the Spleen and Lung meridians. It is known for regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, and drying dampness and resolving phlegm. Hawthorn is sour and sweet in taste, slightly warm in nature, and channels to the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver meridians. It is known for promoting digestion, resolving food stagnation, and promoting qi circulation to disperse blood stasis. Malt is sweet in taste, neutral in nature, and channels to the Spleen and Stomach meridians. It is known for promoting qi circulation, aiding digestion, and strengthening the spleen. Together, tangerine peel regulates qi and strengthens the stomach, hawthorn resolves meat-based food stagnation, and malt digests starch-based foods, achieving the combined effects of promoting digestion, regulating qi, and harmonizing the stomach. The tea has a bright reddish color with a pleasantly sour and sweet taste, with the fragrance of tangerine peel perfectly balanced by the sourness of hawthorn and the sweetness of malt. This tea is especially suitable for consumption after meals by those with indigestion, abdominal bloating, and poor appetite due to overeating.
Main Ingredients
- Tangerine peel (Chenpi) 10g
- Hawthorn (raw or charred) 10g
- Stir-fried malt 30g
- Rock sugar (or honey) To taste
- Water 800ml
Steps
Quickly rinse the tangerine peel, hawthorn, and stir-fried malt under running water to remove surface dust.
Method 1: Steeping (Quick and Easy) Place the rinsed herbs in a thermos or tea cup. Add 350-500ml of boiling water, cover, and steep for 10-20 minutes. Method 2: Decoction (More Potent) Place the rinsed herbs in a clay pot or stainless steel pot. Add approximately 800ml of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Add rock sugar or honey for seasoning before turning off the heat, stir until fully dissolved. Strain out the herbal residues and pour the tea into a cup for drinking.
TCM Notes
Modern Nutrition Research: Digestion promotion: Lipase in hawthorn promotes the digestion of fatty foods; α and β amylase in stir-fried malt promotes the digestion of starchy foods. Together, they resolve stagnation from both meat and grain-based foods. Qi regulation and spleen strengthening: Volatile oils in tangerine peel promote digestive secretion and improve gastrointestinal motility, effectively relieving qi stagnation and loss of appetite. Stomach harmonization: The combination improves abdominal bloating, nausea, and vomiting caused by spleen-stomach qi stagnation. Lipid reduction: Long-term consumption may help lower blood lipids.
Suitable for：Those with indigestion after overeating (stomach bloating, decreased appetite, early satiety) Those with abdominal bloating after consuming excessive meat or greasy foods Those with bloating after consuming excessive grains or starchy foods Those with poor appetite and thick, greasy tongue coating Those with abdominal fullness and belching Those who sit for long periods, eat a greasy diet, or experience high stress Generally suitable for most people as a post-meal digestive tea after holidays or heavy meals
Not suitable for：Those with excess stomach acid or peptic ulcers (gastric or duodenal ulcers): Hawthorn is acidic and may stimulate gastric acid secretion Pregnant women: Hawthorn promotes blood circulation, and malt may affect lactation. Use with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding Breastfeeding women: Stir-fried malt has lactation-suppressing effects that may reduce milk production; tangerine peel and hawthorn may also affect milk production Those with spleen-stomach weakness without food stagnation: Not for long-term use Women with cold constitution: Use with caution during menstruation Those with yin deficiency and fire excess: The formula is slightly warming and may worsen dry mouth, sore throat, and other symptoms Those allergic to any of the above ingredients
