How to drink tea - and when to avoid it

by NAOMI COLEMAN, femail.co.uk

Some Chinese teas, warn herbalists, can be quite strong and certain groups of people should avoid herbs altogether.

But, following a few simple rules will ensure you are drinking your healing tea safely.

How to drink healing teas

You should take two to three small cups of tea regularly throughout the day for two to three days - or until you feel better.

• Don't take more than this amount at any one time and drink the teas hot, unless your herbalist suggests otherwise.

• If you wish, strain the tea when pouring it into a cup. However, the Chinese usually allow the solid matter to just settle at the bottom of the pot.

• The tea ingredients should not be allowed to stand in the pot for more than ten hours before being thrown away.

• It is best to take your healing tea between meals. This is because when you drink while eating, it can dilute the gastric fluid in our stomach and prevent easy digestion.

• Try not to take strong tea immediately after eating. It can cause the stomach muscles to contract and can lead to indigestion.

When to avoid healing teas

During pregnancy

Pregnant women should always be careful when taking herbs - especially during the first three months, says herbalist Michael McIntyre. This is because herbs can be strong, and in some cases, interfere with the growth of your baby. Always consult your GP before taking drugs or herbs.

Children

Children should always be prescribed herbs by a qualified herbalist. This is because they tend to be more sensitive to drugs and herbs than adults, says Michael McIntyre. Children have different metabolic rates from adults and have more difficulty breaking down some drugs such as caffeine.

People taking pharmaceutical drugs

Some herbs can alter the speed we break down pharmaceutical drugs in our system, lowering the protection of the drug. This can especially affect the elderly.

If interaction takes place, there is a danger that the herbs can wash the pharmaceutical drugs out of our system, thus losing some protection from the drug. Always check with your GP or herbalist if you intend to take drugs and Chinese herbs together.

Always consult your doctor if you are unsure about taking pharmaceutical drugs or herbs.

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