Wu Long Cha
English Name: oolong tea
Pharmaceutical Name: Folium Camellia Sinensis Fermentata
Medica Category: Heat-Clearing and Fire-Purging Herbs
Properties: Wu Long Cha enters the Heart, Lung, Small Intestine, and Stomach channels; it is bitter and sweet in nature and cool in temperature.
What is Wu Long Cha?:
The Chinese Herb Wu Long Cha is oolong tea—that is green tea which has been partially (20% – 60%) oxidized. (Oxidation being the process through which tea leaves are exposed to the air in order to dry and darken).
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Wu Long Cha:
Lu Cha clears heat and detoxifies: oolong tea contain tannic acids, which have a mild anti-bacterial effect. Taken with food, then, Lu Cha can neutralize mild toxins and bacteria in food that can lead to food poisoning (much more of an issue rural China in the past when there was no refrigeration or modern food-handling and packaging practices taking place).
Lu Cha promotes diuresis (to address edema).
Lu Cha revives the Shen (Spirit), revitalizes fatigue and weakness, and help to clear the head of lassitude and heaviness.
Lu Cha promotes the digestion of greasy foods and fats.