Refreshing Chinese Teas for Summer Heat Relief

“In the heat, nourish the body with what cools and calms.”
— adapted from traditional Chinese medical thought

Summer heat changes everything.

At Lilies War, we feel it quickly—warm mornings, hot afternoons, and that heavy still air that makes even simple movement feel like work.

In Chinese tradition, especially in the time of my persona (Ming Dynasty), heat was not just weather—it was something that affected the body’s balance. The answer was not ice-cold shock, but gentle cooling, inside and out.

Alongside movement practices like Qigong, people also turned to simple drinks that helped the body stay comfortable.

Here are a few you can try yourself.

---

🌼 Chrysanthemum Tea (菊花茶, Ju Hua Cha)

This is one of the most classic “cooling” teas in Chinese tradition.

It is light, slightly floral, and very easy to drink—even for those who don’t usually enjoy tea.

🌿 Ingredients

• 1 small handful dried chrysanthemum flowers
• 4 cups hot water
• (Optional) a small amount of honey or rock sugar

🫖 Instructions

1. Rinse flowers briefly (optional, but traditional)
2. Pour hot water over the flowers
3. Let steep 3–5 minutes
4. Strain if desired

❄️ To serve at Lilies

• Let cool to room temperature, or chill
• Store in a pitcher for easy sharing

👉 Light, refreshing, and very approachable

---

🌾 Barley Tea (大麦茶, Da Mai Cha)

Barley tea is one of the most practical summer drinks you can make.

It has a warm, toasty flavor—almost like very light coffee, but without caffeine.

🌿 Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons roasted barley
• 4 cups water

🫖 Instructions

1. Bring water to a boil
2. Add roasted barley
3. Simmer 5–10 minutes
4. Strain and cool

❄️ To serve at Lilies

• Chill well
• Serve cold for maximum refreshment

👉 Affordable, easy to make in large batches, and very thirst-quenching

---

🌱 Simple Mint Infusion

Mint is widely used across cultures for cooling, and it fits easily into a Chinese-inspired approach.

🌿 Ingredients

• A handful of fresh mint leaves
• 4 cups hot water

🫖 Instructions

1. Lightly bruise the mint leaves
2. Pour hot water over them
3. Steep 5–10 minutes

❄️ To serve at Lilies

• Cool or chill
• Can be mixed with chrysanthemum tea for variation

👉 Bright, refreshing, and familiar to most people

---

🌿 A Note on “Cooling”

In traditional Chinese thinking, these drinks do not “freeze” the body—they gently reduce excess heat.

That’s why they are: light, not overly sweet, and easy to sip throughout the day. They work best alongside rest, shade, and gentle movement, like Qigong.

🌸 Bringing This Into Camp Life

If you’re attending Lilies War, you might consider bringing a small pitcher to share with your friends. If –and that’s a big if–if I get my act together, I will bring something to my Qigong introduction class. I may simply keep some nearby for myself. A simple drink can change how the whole day feels.

🌿 Closing Thought

We often think of history as something we read about.

But sometimes, it’s something we can sip, feel, and carry into our day.