Mu tea is not a particular type of tea but a mixture of herbs and roots able to tone the body, to stimulate the immune system and digestion, to protect the liver and the kidneys, to counteract water retention, fever, hemorrhoids and acne. This blend was formulated in the 50s by the Japanese Georges Ohsawa, considered the father of macrobiotics, and includes from 9 to 16 ingredients. Each ingredient of this special tea brings important healthy properties for different problems and all act in synergy by offering benefits to the whole organism. Let's see in detail the original mixture and the action of the herbs.
Mu tea, herbs and properties
Mandarin peel is antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer and antifungal (Dosoky et al, Int J Mol Sci, Jul 2018). The poria mushroom, scientific name Wolfiporia Extensa, also known as Poria cocos, fights inflammation and boosts the immune response. Moreover, this interesting medicinal mushroom also stimulates diuresis thus counteracting water retention and cellulite (Rios et al, Planta Med, May 2011 - Feng et al, J Ethnopharmacol., Dec 2013). Japanese parsley, or Oenanthe javanica, is a plant able to counteract oxidative stress, therefore proving to be useful in protecting the kidneys and the liver, even in case of diabetes. Japanese parsley is useful also to reduce abdominal pain, for this reason it can be beneficial in case of heavy periods (Tae et al, Chin Med J, 2014 - Lee et al, Experimental and Therapeutic medicine, 2017). Peony root soothes cramps and abdominal pain, helps with neuralgia and muscle pain, while angelica root treats dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation but also improves blood circulation, thus proving to be useful to counteract cold hands and feet (He et to, Front Pharmacol, Feb 2011 - Wu et al, Chin Med, 2011). Atractylis helps to treat diarrhea while cinnamon is antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and carminative (History of Macrobiotics, Shurtleff). Licorice is able to soothe the gastric mucosa and is helpful in case of sour stomach (Peterson et al, J Altern Complement Med, 2018). Cyperus, scientific name cyperus rotundus, is a plant that fights allergies, has a hypoglycemic effect and is able to lower pressure, protects the stomach and the liver and promotes wound healing as well (Kamala et al, 3 Biotech, 2018). Ginger root is expectorant and helps in case of cough, stimulates digestion and fights nausea (Townsend et al, Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol, Feb 2013). The apricot kernel brings relief in case of asthma and bronchitis while cloves act against diarrhea (History of Macrobiotics, Shurtleff). The rhemannia is antioxidant, protects the kidneys and the prostate, being useful in cases of benign prostatic hypertrophy, and demonstrates a beneficial action in case of type 2 diabetes since it reduces blood sugar levels (Ren et al, Exp Ther Med, 2017). Coptis is anti-inflammatory while panax ginseng strengthens the body making it more resistant to stress and fatigue (Zhang et al, Food Chem Toxicol, Jan 2011 - Kim et al, J Ginseng Res, Jul 2018). Finally, moutan, the root of the plant Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, is a powerful anti-inflammatory remedy and is useful to counteract fever, acne, pain, hemorrhoids and abdominal cramps (Yun et al, J Nat Med, 2013).
Mu tea, preparation and where to find it
Mu tea is sold in bags, ready to be used also in the form of loose leaves. This tea can be found in herbalist’s shops or online. Now let's see its preparation. Bring to the boil three cups of water together with a bag of mu tea, then, let it to simmer for 10 minutes. After this time filter and drink the tea, hot or cold. This tea does not contain caffeine, however, given the presence of licorice and ginseng that can be slightly exciting, it is better to drink mu tea during the day, better after meals thanks to its digestive action, and avoid the evening. Pay attention also in case of high blood pressure, but, in any case, if you are taking medication, ask your doctor for advice as different herbs with which mu tea is prepared may interact with the medicines.
