立秋，位居农历二十四节气的第十三位，是夏至三伏之后的“末伏”。《月令七十二候集解》中记载：“立，建始也……于此而秋金之气始至，故谓之立也”。此时，万物渐次收敛，暑气虽仍炽热，但凉意已悄然萌生，昼夜温差渐显，勾勒出立秋独有的节气特征。《月令七十二候·集解》中记述：“一候凉风至，二候白露降，三候寒蝉鸣”。立秋过后，西风送爽，拂去夏日的燥热。露珠凝结，晶莹剔透；寒蝉鸣唱，声声入耳；鸿雁列阵，振翅向南。在这阴阳交替、燥湿相争的时节，一盏应时的茶汤，不仅能够清心解暑，更能调和脏腑，顺应天地之气，让身心在这季节的转折点上找到宁静与和谐。

“秋饮药茶润肺燥”，立秋时节，一杯温润的胖大海桑菊茶，可带来丝丝清凉与舒缓。桑叶与菊花的搭配源自《温病条辨》中的经典方剂“桑菊饮”。如今，将清热润喉的胖大海融入其中，形成了独具特色的胖大海桑菊茶。胖大海性寒，味甘，归肺、大肠经，《本草纲目拾遗》记载其“治火闭痘，并治一切热证”；菊花性微寒，味甘、苦，入肺、肝经，《神农本草经》称其“主诸风头眩、肿痛，目欲脱，泪出”；桑叶性寒，味苦，入肺、肝经，《本草经疏》载其“甘所以益血，寒所以凉血，甘寒相合，故下气而益阴”。本茶既延续了传统桑菊茶清肺止咳的作用，又通过胖大海增强了润喉通便之效。现代研究表明，胖大海含有多糖、脂肪酸等成分，具有抗炎、抗菌及保护咽喉黏膜的作用；菊花中的黄酮类化合物（如木犀草苷）可抑制氧化应激，缓解眼疲劳；桑叶则富含黄酮、生物碱，能调节血糖、改善肺功能。三者协同，不仅可缓解咽喉肿痛、目赤干涩，还能促进肠道蠕动，治疗热结便秘，堪称秋季养生之佳品。

在漫长酷热夏季，人们由于频饮冷饮，常吃冻食，很多人都会出现脾胃功能减弱的现象。加之立秋后“贴秋膘”的习俗，贸然多食会进一步加重脾胃的负担，出现胸闷、腹胀、厌食、消化不良、腹泻等症。因此，正确的“贴膘”方法当是立秋后先调理脾胃，然后再开始进补。甘麦大枣茶便成为此阶段健脾养胃，固护中焦的不二之选。甘草性平，味甘，归脾、肺、心、胃、肝经，能和中缓急，调和诸药；大枣性温，味甘，入心、脾经，可养心除烦，养血安神；小麦性温，味甘，归脾、胃经，长于补中益气，宁神敛汗。现代研究表明，甘草中的甘草酸及异黄酮类成分具有抗溃疡、保肝及免疫调节作用，可缓解秋季胃肠功能紊乱；小麦麸皮富含膳食纤维及B族维生素，能促进肠道蠕动、改善代谢；大枣多糖与三萜类物质协同作用，可增强抗氧化能力，减轻秋燥引发的黏膜损伤。综上，立秋时节，暑湿渐退而燥气始生，人体易现津亏肺燥，脾失健运之候。甘麦大枣茶既能润燥生津以养肺阴，又可健运中焦以培土生金，助机体顺应“收”之气机转化，为秋冬敛藏蓄积精微。

The Start of Autumn is the thirteenth of the twenty-four solar terms in the traditional Chinese lunar calendar. It marks the end of the “last heat” following the Summer Solstice. The ancient text "Monthly Orders and the Seventy-Two Phenological Periods" records: “The term 'start' means 'to establish the beginning’... At this time, the autumnal metal qi begins to arrive, hence it is called the ‘start.’” During this period, all things gradually begin to contract. Although the heat is still intense, a hint of coolness has already begun to emerge. The temperature difference between day and night becomes more noticeable, outlining the unique characteristics of the Start of Autumn. The same text describes the three phenological periods of the Start of Autumn: “First, the cool wind arrives; second, dew forms; third, the cold cicadas sing.”After the Start of Autumn, the westerly wind brings refreshment, sweeping away the summer's dry heat. Dewdrops condense, glistening and clear; the cold cicadas sing, their sounds echoing in the ears; and geese form arrays, flapping their wings and flying southward. In this season of the interplay between yin and yang and the struggle between dryness and dampness, a cup of seasonally appropriate tea not only clears the mind and relieves the heat but also harmonizes the internal organs, aligning with the energy of heaven and earth. It allows the body and mind to find tranquility and harmony at this turning point of the season.

Autumn Herbal Tea to Moisturize the Lungs: During the start of autumn, a warm cup of Fat Sea, Mulberry Leaf, and Chrysanthemum Tea can bring a refreshing and soothing experience. Since ancient times, mulberry leaves and chrysanthemums have been renowned for their benefits in clearing the lungs and enhancing vision, originating from the classic formula “Sangju Yin” in Wen Bing Tiao Bian. Today, the addition of Fat Sea, known for its throat-soothing properties, creates a uniquely special Fat Sea, Mulberry Leaf, and Chrysanthemum Tea.Fat Sea is cooling and sweet, entering the lungs and large intestine meridians. According to Bencao Gangmu Shiyi, it is noted to “treat fire-closed acne and all types of heat conditions.” Chrysanthemum is slightly cold and has a sweet-bitter flavor, entering the lungs and liver meridians. The Shennong Bencao Jing states it is “effective for various wind-related headaches, swellings and pains, eye discomfort, and excessive tearing.” Mulberry leaves are cold and bitter, also entering the lungs and liver meridians. The Bencao Jing Shu records that “its sweetness benefits the blood, while its coldness cools the blood; the combination of sweetness and coldness benefits the lungs and nourishes yin.”This tea not only continues the traditional role of Sangju tea in clearing the lungs and alleviating coughs but also enhances throat lubrication and bowel regularity with the addition of Fat Sea. Modern research indicates that Fat Sea contains components such as polysaccharides and fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and throat-mucosa-protective effects. Flavonoids in chrysanthemums, such as luteolin, can inhibit oxidative stress and relieve eye fatigue. Mulberry leaves are rich in flavonoids and alkaloids, helping to regulate blood sugar and improve lung function. The synergistic effects of these three ingredients can alleviate sore throat and red, dry eyes while also promoting intestinal peristalsis to treat heat-induced constipation, making it an excellent health tonic for the autumn season.

During the long and sweltering summer, frequent consumption of cold drinks and frozen foods often leads to weakened spleen and stomach functions. This is further exacerbated by the traditional custom of “putting on autumn weight” after the Beginning of Autumn, where overeating can place additional strain on the spleen and stomach, resulting in symptoms such as chest tightness, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, indigestion, and diarrhea. Therefore, the correct approach to “putting on weight” should involve first regulating the spleen and stomach after the Beginning of Autumn before starting any nourishing regimen. In this context, Jujube and Wheat Tea emerges as an ideal choice for strengthening the spleen, nourishing the stomach, and protecting the middle burner.Licorice (Gancao) is sweet and neutral in nature, and it is associated with the spleen, lung, heart, stomach, and liver meridians. It can harmonize and alleviate acute symptoms and balance the effects of other herbs. Jujube (Dazao) is warm and sweet, entering the heart and spleen meridians. It can nourish the heart, relieve irritability, and calm the spirit. Wheat (Fuxiaomai) is warm and sweet, associated with the spleen and stomach meridians, and is particularly effective in replenishing energy, calming the mind, and stopping perspiration. Modern research indicates that glycyrrhizic acid and isoflavones in licorice have anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, and immune-regulating effects, which can help alleviate gastrointestinal dysfunction in autumn. The bran in wheat is rich in dietary fiber and B vitamins, which can promote intestinal motility and improve metabolism. The polysaccharides and triterpenoids in jujube work synergistically to enhance antioxidant capacity and reduce mucosal damage caused by autumn dryness. In summary, as the Beginning of Autumn approaches, the dampness and heat gradually subside, while dryness begins to prevail. The human body is prone to symptoms such as fluid deficiency, lung dryness, and impaired spleen function. Jujube and Wheat Tea can both moisten dryness and generate body fluids to nourish lung yin and strengthen the spleen to enhance the middle burner, thus helping the body adapt to the transformation of the “receiving” energy and accumulate essence for the upcoming winter.