Do you suffer from hay fever but do not like to take the pills you buy in pharmacies? If you have a friend from Japan around you, ask them what they use in their country; one of the answers you will get must be a tea called Ten cha.
Ten cha is usually translated as “Chinese blackberry tea” in English. Obviously, the tea leaves are Chinese blackberry, and its Latin name is Rubus Suavissimus S. Lee. You may have never heard of him. Yes, it is one of the few wonders of Japan that has not yet been introduced to the UK.
Although it has been consumed in Japan and China (and possibly other parts of Asia as well) for a long time, it was the Japanese beverage company Suntory that discovered its anti-allergy effect. They started marketing it as one of their line of healthy tea products, and one day it was featured on one of the most powerful TV shows (the Japanese equivalent of Oprah, I’d say) and that was it: now you see it on the shelves. from many supermarkets and pharmacies across the country.
The reason for its success was that compared to pharmaceutical options, the tea does not cause drowsiness or sleep. As it is very common to drink herbal teas for many health purposes, it was considered a very familiar and more natural solution against seasonal itchy eyes and runny nose. It became the most popular cure for hay fever in Japan. In an investigation conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, it was found that approximately 40% of the sampled allergic rhinitis patients who prefer non-pharmaceutical treatment used Chinese mulberry tea (Tencha).
While in the UK I have always thought there is not enough variety of treatment on offer, although many people suffer from hay fever. You don’t want to take pills when you have to drive or work hard at the office all day. So having a natural option could help a lot of our lives get a little better.
Search for Blackberry Chinese tea online. Usually, it is recommended to brew the tea in hot water for 2-3 minutes and drink it every morning. I’d love for you to try it once. I gave it to some of my friends here in the UK. They felt a difference and some of them became huge fans!
What is “kamp”?
“Kampo” is a Japanese word for traditional herbal remedies, which have been practiced since the 7th century. Traditionally, the Japanese prefer medicines made from natural ingredients to general pharmaceuticals. They have great confidence in the power of nature, through centuries of their history.
