Longevity Tea (for Spleen Qi Deficiency)

Do you have a sweet tooth? Did you know In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), craving sweet flavors often reflects an imbalance in the Spleen or related organ systems.


Do you experience these signs? These are the signs of Spleen Qi Deficiency:
- Fatigue
- Digestive issues (bloating, loose stools)
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
- Weak muscles or limbs


Here’s what your sweet craving might mean from a TCM perspective:

1. Spleen Qi Deficiency
- The Spleen is responsible for transforming food into energy (Qi) and transporting nutrients.
- When the Spleen is weak, the body may crave sweet foods for quick energy and to “tonify” the Spleen temporarily.

2. Emotional Imbalance
- Sweet cravings can indicate a need for comfort and emotional nourishment.
- The Spleen is linked to the emotion worry or overthinking.
- Craving sweets may arise when you’re stressed, overworked, or seeking emotional stability.

3. Yin Deficiency or Blood Deficiency
- A craving for sweets might signal that your body is seeking nourishment and hydration.
- Yin deficiency can manifest as dry skin, thirst, insomnia, or feeling overheated.

4. Dampness Accumulation
- Interestingly, a cycle can occur where excessive consumption of sweet foods weakens the Spleen further, leading to dampness (a sluggish, heavy feeling) and perpetuating cravings.



How to Address Sweet Cravings in TCM:
- Natural Sweetness: Incorporate naturally sweet foods like sweet potatoes, carrots, jujube dates, and whole grains to nourish the Spleen without overwhelming it.
- Spleen-Strengthening Foods: Include warm, cooked foods like soups, congee, and mild spices like ginger.
- Herbal Teas: Try Spleen-supportive teas like goji berry, jujube, or chrysanthemum and licorice root.
- Mindful Eating: Avoid overeating raw, cold, or sugary foods that can burden the Spleen.



Here is a heal-my-spleen-Qi recipe:
- 5 Rosebuds
- 5 Wild chrysanthemum
- 5-6 goji berries
- slices of 2 whole jujube dates