A cup of tea, five flavors
A friend, knowing my fondness for various teas, brought me a box of omija tea from her trip to Jeju, Korea. Besides the barley tea I've mentioned before, Koreans also enjoy drinking different medicinal teas for their health benefits.
Omija (Schisandra berry) is a small, red fruit rich in nutrients and a common Chinese medicinal herb. Koreans often preserve omija with honey for several years and then mix it with water to drink. They also steep omija in alcohol for health and anti-aging benefits.
As its name suggests, omija possesses five flavors: sour, sweet, salty, pungent, and bitter, with sourness being the most prominent. Ancient Chinese medical texts recorded that the skin and flesh of omija are sweet and sour, its seeds are pungent and bitter, and it carries a salty taste. In the theory of Five Elements, because omija contains all five flavors, it is considered a food that generates the five elements, thus balancing the five internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys).
Omija is warm in nature and nourishes the five internal organs, primarily by nourishing the kidneys, astringing the lungs, nourishing the heart, protecting the liver, generating fluid, and astringing sweat. When experiencing reduced physical strength, poor concentration, or memory, a cup of omija tea can be beneficial. Omija can be combined with different ingredients to achieve various effects. Common combinations include:
1. Omija and goji berries (5g each): This combination can nourish the kidneys, astringe the lungs, boost qi, generate fluid, and consolidate and astringe, being particularly effective for spontaneous sweating and night sweats. Additionally, it can nourish the kidneys and benefit essence, making it suitable for men's health and strengthening the body.
2. Omija and green tea: This can enhance memory, invigorate the spirit, relieve fatigue, and improve concentration.
Note: Although omija is a fruit, it has medicinal properties and should not be consumed long-term. It is advisable to drink it for a maximum of five consecutive days, with each serving not exceeding five grams. Due to its astringent properties, omija should not be consumed at the onset of a cold, as it might trap pathogens in the body.
Omija (Schisandra berry) is a small, red fruit rich in nutrients and a common Chinese medicinal herb. Koreans often preserve omija with honey for several years and then mix it with water to drink. They also steep omija in alcohol for health and anti-aging benefits.
As its name suggests, omija possesses five flavors: sour, sweet, salty, pungent, and bitter, with sourness being the most prominent. Ancient Chinese medical texts recorded that the skin and flesh of omija are sweet and sour, its seeds are pungent and bitter, and it carries a salty taste. In the theory of Five Elements, because omija contains all five flavors, it is considered a food that generates the five elements, thus balancing the five internal organs (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys).
Omija is warm in nature and nourishes the five internal organs, primarily by nourishing the kidneys, astringing the lungs, nourishing the heart, protecting the liver, generating fluid, and astringing sweat. When experiencing reduced physical strength, poor concentration, or memory, a cup of omija tea can be beneficial. Omija can be combined with different ingredients to achieve various effects. Common combinations include:
1. Omija and goji berries (5g each): This combination can nourish the kidneys, astringe the lungs, boost qi, generate fluid, and consolidate and astringe, being particularly effective for spontaneous sweating and night sweats. Additionally, it can nourish the kidneys and benefit essence, making it suitable for men's health and strengthening the body.
2. Omija and green tea: This can enhance memory, invigorate the spirit, relieve fatigue, and improve concentration.
Note: Although omija is a fruit, it has medicinal properties and should not be consumed long-term. It is advisable to drink it for a maximum of five consecutive days, with each serving not exceeding five grams. Due to its astringent properties, omija should not be consumed at the onset of a cold, as it might trap pathogens in the body.