Gut
Gut
For days when you feel heavy, slow, and bloated.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), "dampness" describes a body holding on to more than it can process. Similar to a humid environment where the air sits heavy and nothing quite dries. You feel it as a fullness that lingers after meals, a dull appetite, and an sluggish slump.
Our tea brings together nine classical herbs that target three actions: strengthen digestion, drain excess fluid, and promote movement. Earthy and softly sweet, with a quiet warmth of ginger and citrus peel.
Ingredient Breakdown
Strengthen |
Astragalus |
Build qi and support the digestive system |
Strengthen |
Poria |
Support digestion and gently drain dampness |
Strengthen |
White Hyacinth Bean |
Settle the stomach and ease summer heaviness |
Drain |
Alisma |
Promote urination and clear damp-heat |
Drain |
Mulberry Bark |
Clear the lungs and reduce puffiness |
Move |
Tangerine Peel |
Move qi, dry dampness, ease fullness |
Move |
Malt + Millet Sprout |
Help digest starchy, heavy meals |
Balance |
Ginger |
Warm the stomach |
How they work together: drainers alone would leave you depleted, and replenishers alone would trap more fluid. Pairing them requires careful formulation.
The Ritual
Drink one warm cup in the morning or 30–60 minutes after lunch, 3–4 days a week for 4–5 weeks for maximum efficacy. Avoid drinking before bed as the draining herbs work best while you're up and moving.
Mid-morning: Digestion is strongest in the morning in TCM; the cup sets the tone for the day
After a heavy lunch: Tangerine Peel, Malt and Millet Sprout help with that post-meal slump
After a humid or rainy day out, or a day in heavy AC: When dampness tends to build
Pair with: warm, cooked, simple food. Congee, steamed fish, soups, millet, barley, adzuki beans, winter melon, cooked greens, a few slices of fresh ginger.
Go easy on:
- Iced drinks and smoothies: cold slows digestion, the opposite of what the tea is doing
- Raw salads and sashimi in large amounts
- Fried, greasy, and very sweet foods, plus heavy dairy
- Alcohol: the classic dampness builder; skip it for the 4–5 weeks if you can
Habits that help:
- Eat at regular times and finish dinner 3 hours before bed
- Walk 10–15 minutes after meals
- Break a light sweat a few times a week
- Dry your hair before sleeping, and don't sit directly under AC vents
- Choose dehumidified, well-ventilated rooms on muggy days
Brewing Instructions
Steep at 203–212°F (95–100°C), covered, for 8–10 minutes. Re-steep 2–3 times, adding 2–3 minutes each.
This blend is mostly roots, bark, and fungus, so it needs more heat and time than our flower-based teas. Full heat opens up dense herbs like astragalus and poria, and covering the cup keeps the ginger and tangerine peel aromas in the tea.
Origin
Yunnan, China