"What Tea Should I Drink to Reduce the Risk of Contracting Influenza Virus?"

Beijing's Influenza Virus Activity Intensifies, Reaching the Peak of the Epidemic Season, but Overall Situation Remains Stable

With the heightened activity of influenza viruses in Beijing, the city has entered the peak season of influenza epidemics, albeit with an overall stable trend. Consequently, experts advise the public not to panic but to take preventive measures such as regularly consuming tea and wearing masks when entering public places like supermarkets and cinemas. According to experts, influenza, abbreviated as flu, is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza viruses attaching to the mucosal cells in the nose and throat. The source of infection is influenza patients, and the virus exists in their nasal and oral secretions, spreading through droplets with high infectivity. Influenza can occur throughout the year but is more prevalent in winter and spring.

Experts emphasize that there is no specific medication for treating influenza to date. The most crucial method of prevention lies in enhancing human immunity. People who regularly consume tea are significantly less likely to contract influenza, fundamentally due to tea's ability to boost immunity. Notably, Eucommia tea and Eucommia male flower tea, as natural health teas represented by their pharmacological components, exhibit exceptional efficacy. Modern medical research has proven that Eucommia bark and male flowers contain over 80 natural pharmacological components, giving the tea significant pharmacological activity that nourishes the liver and kidneys, fortifies the body, enhances immunity, regulates immune function, and resists viral infections.

Another reason is that the natural pharmacological components in Eucommia male flower tea, such as catechins and chlorogenic acid, can cover the protruding mucosal cells in the nose and throat, preventing influenza viruses from binding to the mucosa and killing the viruses. Chlorogenic acid in Eucommia male flower tea is considered a primary active ingredient in many medicinal materials and proprietary Chinese medicines, used for antibacterial, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and bile-promoting purposes, often serving as a qualitative or even quantitative indicator. Catechins function similarly to influenza vaccinations, offering preventive effects.

Relevant research shows that diluting the concentration of tea consumed daily to one-fourth and mixing influenza viruses into the tea for five seconds renders the viruses incapable of infection. As early as 1988, some cholera experts discovered that catechins possess potent bactericidal properties. Adding a certain amount of catechins to cholera bacteria immediately halts their activity within seconds. Experts recommend consuming tea even when suffering from a cold, but caution is advised. Generally, caffeine and polyphenols in tea accelerate metabolism and enhance immunity. Therefore, for mild colds without medication, tea consumption is advisable. However, experts remind that tea should be avoided during influenza with fever, as it can elevate body temperature further. The tannic acid in tea interferes with sweating, impeding heat dissipation, which may exacerbate the cold. Additionally, patients should be cautious when taking medication as the tannic acid, caffeine, polyphenols, etc., in tea can react with drugs, affecting their efficacy. Thus, it is recommended to refrain from drinking tea for two hours after medication to allow the medication to take effect.