Using Tea as Medicine: A Discussion on the Application of Tea in Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang

In the Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, there are a total of 41 prescriptions that involve the use of tea. These prescriptions cover a broad range of medical fields, including internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, pediatrics, and ENT, providing a comprehensive demonstration of the unique characteristics of using tea as a medicinal ingredient in the Song Dynasty. Tea, which is the tender leaves or buds of the plant belonging to the genus Camellia of the Theaceae family, is also known by other names such as Ming and Tu. It possesses various medicinal effects, including clearing the head, relieving thirst, promoting digestion, resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis, and detoxifying. The rich and extensive applications of tea in the Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang make the analysis and study of these prescriptions crucial in terms of their value and significance for modern clinical treatment using tea.