This summer has been hot. Like, REALLY hot. Fortunately, there is a wonderful Chinese herb that can help cool you down, and it may just be spreading through your garden as we speak. That cool & common Chinese herb is mint (aka Bo He in Chinese). During these toasty summer months I love adding a few mint leaves to my water to help cool me down. 
​ Sipping on Bo He tea is excellent way to cool the head, brighten the eyes, benefit the throat and vent rashes. It is often used for sore throat, cough, headache, red eyes, and during the early stage of a rash. Bo He can also help "cool down" the emotions by regulating the flow of qi in the body thus alleviating irritability or emotional instability. So, if you’re feeling like a cranky "hot head" then sit down, take a deep breath, and sip on some mint tea! 
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(Avoid mint tea if you are a nursing mother with insufficient lactation as it can inhibit lactation). ​

I would like to introduce our first "Tea Time Tuesday" post! The first Tuesday of each month I will introduce a different Chinese herb and discuss the specific properties & health benefits that it offers. Today we have the infamous Dandelion:

Believe it or not, this resilient and dare I say pesky weed is a popular herb in Chinese herbal medicine. Dandelion (known as Pu Gong Ying in Chinese) is so much more than a nuisance  in the lawn. As we see these yellow buds popping up in our yards and growing through sidewalk cracks, I often think of dandelion as the mascot of Spring. Spring time represents growth, transformation and change. Based upon the five elements, the organ associated with spring is the liver. The dandelion is prolific during this time of year, growing anywhere that it can spread its roots. Its bitter nature gives it hepatoprotective properties, so it's a great way to protect & detox the liver. Because of it's antibacterial effects, it also offers a safe way to stimulate and enhance the immune system. As the weather is warming up and pollen is abundant, dandelion can clear heat and address those red itchy eyes that you may be dealing with. It is also has diuretic properties, so it can be used for painful urination or UTI. Although Pu Gong Ying has an array of wonderful properties, don't go overboard with it; large doses can be associated with loose stools or diarrhea. Remember - everything in moderation!