A Summer Tonic: Ginger Jujube Tea
One of our favorite summer tonics to enjoy is made with two pantry staples: Ginger and Jujube. If you tend to run cold and have digestive issues, this a great tea for you. Enjoy this all year round but if you drink this consistently during summer, the health benefits are compounded. This due to the abundant Yang energy during summer providing a potent external boost, which makes it the optimal time to tonify the body's own depleted Yang Qi. Herbs and treatments that warm and strengthen Yang are significantly more effective when supported by the season's inherent warmth.
This warming and grounding tea supports our body's balance to help us thrive in summer heat. Ginger is warming and protects the body from cold and encourages the transformation of dampness. Jujube, a TCM superfood boosts Qi and nourishes blood.
Ginger and Jujube Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
8-10 Dried jujubes (red dates), sliced with the pits removed
2-inch fresh ginger, sliced thinly or smashed
1 Liter water
Option to add monkfruit, brown sugar, or other sweetener of choice
Method:
Rinse and slice the jujubes and remove the pits.
In a pot place the jujubes, ginger, and water and bring to a boil.
Once water is boiling, reduce heat and simmer covered for 20-30 minutes until the liquid has reduced a bit and appears a bit amber in color.
Strain and sweeten to taste if desired. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
TCM Benefits of Ginger Jujube Tea
Ginger (生姜, Shēng Jiāng):
- Warm & Pungent: Dispels "summer cold" (wind-cold from AC/cold drinks).
- Benefits Spleen: Aids digestion during summer humidity when digestion is weak.
- Directs Qi Downward: Anti-nausea when feeling heat or dampness.
Jujube (红枣, Hóng Zǎo):
- Sweet & Warm: Nourishes Spleen Qi to combat fatigue and lethargy
- Moisten & Harmonize: Rehydrates & counteracts the drying of ginger, while not causing damp.
- Stomach Protection: Protects sensitive stomach and attaches or buffers ginger's sharpness to prevent Qi from dispersing too quickly.
Why this tea is good for you in summer
🌀 Countering "Cold Invasion": Ginger counters cold invasion from too much ice or AC and can therefore minimize digestive issues or "internal cold.'
💧 Second-Line of Defense to Dampness: Summer damp-heat weakens the Spleen. Ginger will act to dry dampness while jujube will nourish Spleen Qi.
💛 Qi and Fluids Preservation: Jujube supplemented the Qi and fluids that were lost through sweating and give ginger an opportunity to repair level on the surface.
⚖️ Cooling food balance: Harmonizes excess cold food and smoothies which stagnate Spleen Yang.
Contraindications: Do not take if you are showing signs of heat (sore throat, fever, or red tongue) or have very yin deficient heat.
From the TCM perspective, this tea is a summer tonic used for the purpose of preventative health: strengthening digestion, preventing external pathologies, and providing fluid balance without overheating. Aim to have 1 cup per day! 🌞🍵
