In the humid spring season, many regions across the country experience continuous rain. Rain not only nourishes the earth but also sparks people’s enthusiasm for exploring the mysteries of nature.
Recently, I noticed online that some netizens have shared their experiences of using rainwater to make tea, claiming that the tea brewed this way not only has a unique taste but also brings a series of health benefits.
This statement has sparked widespread discussion. So, is it really good for health to make tea with rainwater? Is rainwater pure and harmless?
Can Rainwater Be a Natural Remedy?
In ancient China, rainwater was endowed with many mystical qualities. Some ancient medical texts have special records about rainwater. For example, certain ancient books believe that rainwater has heat-clearing and detoxifying properties and is even used as an important ingredient in certain rituals and prescriptions. These records undoubtedly add a layer of mystery to rainwater.
In literary works, rainwater is often given beautiful meanings. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu once wrote, “Good rain knows its season, it comes just when spring begins,” depicting the scene of rain nourishing all things and bringing vitality. And the Song Dynasty poet Su Shi also described the unique charm of natural scenery in the rain with the line, “The misty mountains are wonderful even in the rain.”
However, from a modern scientific perspective, does rainwater really have these magical effects?
The Structure and Characteristics of Rainwater
First, we need to understand the formation and characteristics of rainwater. Rainwater is a natural phenomenon in the atmospheric cycle, consisting of water droplets that condense when water vapor encounters cold temperatures. These droplets gather in clouds and fall as precipitation when they become heavy enough.
The composition of rainwater is not completely pure; it may contain various substances from the atmosphere. During its formation, rainwater adsorbs tiny particles such as dust, pollen, bacteria, and viruses from the air. Additionally, rainwater can dissolve gases and chemicals in the air, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and certain pollutants.
Potential Risks of Making Tea with Rainwater
After understanding the composition of rainwater, let’s explore the potential risks of making tea with it.
- Pollutant Issue
The process of modern industrialization and urbanization has accelerated environmental pollution, increasing the types and quantities of pollutants in the air. These pollutants may fall to the ground with rainwater and enter our water sources. Therefore, using rainwater to make tea may ingest these pollutants, posing a potential threat to health.
- Microbial Contamination
Rainwater comes into contact with various microorganisms in the atmosphere during its formation and fall. These microorganisms may include bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc., which can enter our teacups with the rainwater, increasing the risk of disease infection.
- pH Level Issue
The pH level of rainwater varies depending on the region, season, weather, and other factors. In some areas, due to severe air pollution, rainwater may be acidic, known as “acid rain.” Using such rainwater to make tea can not only affect the taste of the tea but may also adversely affect health.
- Heavy Metal Contamination
Rainwater in some areas may be contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These heavy metals are harmful to human health, and long-term ingestion can lead to various diseases.
Misconceptions About Rainwater Health Benefits
Although some people believe that rainwater has health benefits, these are based on traditional beliefs or speculation from individual cases and lack scientific evidence. In modern society, we should approach the claim of rainwater health benefits more rationally.
First, the composition and safety of rainwater are influenced by various factors, including geographical location, climatic conditions, and the degree of environmental pollution. Therefore, it cannot be generalized that rainwater has a specific health benefit.
Second, even if the rainwater in certain areas is relatively pure, it cannot be guaranteed to be free of harmful substances. Rainwater passes through multiple stages during its formation and fall, and each stage may introduce contaminants.
Finally, health preservation should focus on scientific methods and individual differences. Different physical constitutions and health conditions require different health preservation methods. Therefore, we should not blindly follow trends or believe rumors but should choose a health preservation method suitable for our own situation based on our actual conditions.
Health Hazards During the Rainy Season
In the rainy season, in addition to paying attention to the issue of making tea with rainwater, we should also be aware of some health-related hazards.
- Respiratory Diseases
The temperature fluctuates greatly and air humidity is high during the rainy season, which can easily damage the respiratory mucosa and increase the risk of respiratory diseases such as colds and flu. Therefore, we should keep warm, strengthen exercise, and improve immunity.
- Skin Diseases
The humid air during the rainy season is prone to breeding bacteria and fungi, increasing the risk of skin infections. In addition, chemicals and pollutants in rainwater may also irritate and harm the skin. Therefore, we should keep our skin clean and dry and avoid prolonged exposure to rainwater.
- Joint Diseases
The low temperatures and high humidity during the rainy season can easily cause joints to be exposed to cold and moisture, triggering joint diseases such as arthritis. Therefore, we should keep our joints warm, exercise appropriately, and avoid being in a humid environment for extended periods.
- Mental Health
The continuous rainy weather and lack of sunshine during the rainy season can easily lead to low mood, anxiety, and other psychological problems. Therefore, we should maintain a good mindset, actively participate in outdoor activities, and communicate more with family and friends.
In summary, making tea with rainwater is not a scientific health preservation method. The composition and safety of rainwater are influenced by various factors, and it cannot be generalized that it has a specific health benefit.
On the contrary, rainwater may contain various pollutants and harmful substances, posing a potential threat to health. Therefore, we should discard this rumor and choose a more scientific and healthy way of preserving health.
Meanwhile, during the rainy season, we should also pay attention to health-related hazards and take corresponding preventive measures to ensure our physical health.
