One of My Slow Life Ideas
Since I became interested in an additive-free lifestyle, my daily life has been slowly changing. One part of this journey is living with medicinal herbs. I haven’t relied much on modern medicine for a long time. Of course, I know taking medicine can be helpful, but in my view, it’s possible to take care of your health naturally, without always depending on medicines. That is one of my slow life values. So today, I’d like to share what I do for my health in daily life.
By the way, my American friend once told me that Japanese elderly people are very healthy. I think so too! Especially in the countryside, many people over seventy seem healthier than younger generations. From my perspective, one of the secrets is tea.
In fact, since I started drinking tea more often, I feel like I can take care of my health better than before. Tea works gently but effectively on my body. If this article gives you even a small hint for your own health, I’ll be so glad.
Houjicha and Dokudami Tea Support My Health
I usually drink two kinds of Japanese tea: Houjicha and Dokudami tea.
- Houjicha helps me relax, so I have it every morning after yoga and meditation.
- Dokudami tea helps with my allergies, so I mostly drink it when the seasons change.
What is Houjicha?
Houjicha is a type of Japanese green tea. Unlike regular green tea, the leaves are roasted (baisen or houjiru in Japanese). Cha simply means “tea.”
It has a unique, toasty aroma, and the fragrance itself feels relaxing. The taste is light, smooth, and refreshing, without the bitterness of tannins.
Houjicha contains natural elements like catechins and caffeine. These may protect your cells, help burn fat, and even keep your mouth healthy. Thanks to these effects, Houjicha can support your overall wellness, boost energy use, and promote beautiful skin. It can also warm your body, help you relax, and improve concentration.
What is Dokudami Tea?
Dokudami is a kind of medicinal herb that grows widely in Japan and East Asia. It can also be found in parts of Europe. The plant grows in clusters in damp, shady areas. It has a very distinct smell—honestly, not everyone likes it! But its benefits are well known.
Dokudami is rich in vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. These nutrients help cleanse the body, improve blood flow, and restore balance. Drinking Dokudami tea may reduce swelling, relieve constipation, and support healthy skin. It’s also believed to help prevent high blood pressure and other lifestyle-related diseases, while keeping you feeling light and refreshed.
Why I Decided to Drink These Two Teas
As I mentioned, my slow life is inspired by the people in my countryside hometown. Since then, I’ve shifted toward living more simply—reducing additives, using less disposable paper, and making traditional foods. I’ve come to admire the way my ancestors lived.
I have allergic rhinitis, but it doesn’t seem to be caused by pollen. Even on heavy pollen days, my nose is fine. At first, I thought it was a house dust allergy. When I learned that Dokudami has antibacterial properties, I started drinking it. Later, I realized my nose problems often came when the weather changed—like sudden drops in atmospheric pressure or big temperature swings.
Research says that sudden weather changes can affect the autonomic nervous system, throwing off its balance. To restore balance, relaxing with herbal tea can help. That’s how I also came to drink Houjicha, which brings calmness.
My hometown is rich in medicinal herbs and is also famous for tea. The Houjicha I drink now is made in a local tea factory—it has its own unique style. Of course, I could buy tea online or at shops near my house, but I prefer buying directly from my hometown. I believe continuing this cycle will give something back to the place I grew up.
My Past with Medicine and Nasal Spray
I used to visit the ENT clinic and take prescribed medicine. But the medicine often made me sleepy, and I didn’t like that. Over-the-counter drugs worked quickly, but they were too strong for me.
Even after I stopped taking medicine, I couldn’t live without nasal spray. But I heard frequent use could cause side effects. Since my allergy symptoms vary, I realized I needed to manage my health more carefully. Stress also affects health, so I thought I should focus on living more calmly and building a stronger body to prevent illness in the first place.
I don’t think medicine is bad—I just want to use it as a last resort.
Always Thinking About What’s Best
Since I started drinking these two teas, my allergy symptoms have calmed down, and I feel my body changing. Of course, tea isn’t the only reason, but what matters most is believing in yourself. I try to always ask: what’s best for my body? What should I eat, how should I care for myself, and how should I live to stay healthy?
I Believe in the Body’s Potential
In the past, people in the mountains of my hometown relied on medicinal herbs because they didn’t have hospitals. They drank them, but also bathed with them. This tradition remains in some public baths today—you can even enjoy a herbal bath for recovery. Sometimes, I put Dokudami in my own bathtub, and it works well for skin troubles.
Actually, I want to avoid relying too much on medicine and hospitals. I believe in the body’s natural potential. In my view, suppressing symptoms like fever, cough, or a runny nose with medicine isn’t always best, because those are signs your body is fighting bacteria.
We need to strengthen our bodies naturally. I believe natural ingredients are wonderful helpers for building a healthier life.
I’m happy to share a little piece of my slow life with you. Wishing you a gentle and healthy day.
