This comprehensive analysis delves into the multifaceted health benefits of a unique herbal tea blend comprising pear, Borassus flabellifer fruit (Hai Di Ye), Imperata cylindrica (Mao Gen), sugarcane, and fig. Each component contributes to the tea's overall efficacy by promoting respiratory health, offering anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and providing potential anticancer, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic benefits. Pears enrich the blend with antioxidants and immune-boosting capabilities, crucial for respiratory system defense and alleviating hypersensitivity reactions linked to air pollution. Borassus flabellifer and sugarcane add to the tea's soothing effects on the throat, with their antioxidant properties further regulating inflammatory responses within the respiratory tract. The inclusion of Imperata cylindrica and figs introduces a spectrum of phytochemicals, known for their significant roles in reducing inflammation, battling cancer cell proliferation, protecting liver function, and aiding in blood sugar regulation. This tea blend, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, embodies a holistic approach to health maintenance, merging the pleasure of consumption with substantial therapeutic advantages.

Yaoxu Zhou, Jiating Liang, Chengyong Wang, Rongting Ye. Synergizing Tradition and Science: A Comprehensive Review of a Chinese Herbal Tea Blend for Enhanced Respiratory and General Health. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2024), Vol. 5, Issue 3: 23-29. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2024.050305.

[1] P. Zou, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Food Therapy, and Hypertension Control: A Narrative Review of Chinese Literature. Am J Chin Med 44 (2016) 1579-1594.

[2] C.N.P. Commission, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China: 2005 edition, 2005.

[3] H. Liu, Z. Liu, Y. Wu, L. Zheng, and G. Zhang, Regulatory Mechanisms of Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in Apple and Pear. Int J Mol Sci 22 (2021).

[4] A. Wojdyło, P. Nowicka, I.P. Turkiewicz, K. Tkacz, and F. Hernandez, Comparison of bioactive compounds and health promoting properties of fruits and leaves of apple, pear and quince. Sci Rep 11 (2021) 20253.

[5] K. Makki, E.C. Deehan, J. Walter, and F. Bäckhed, The Impact of Dietary Fiber on Gut Microbiota in Host Health and Disease. Cell Host Microbe 23 (2018) 705-715.

[6] G.A. Soliman, Dietary Fiber, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients 11 (2019).

[7] S.V. Luca, I. Macovei, A. Bujor, A. Miron, K. Skalicka-Woźniak, A.C. Aprotosoaie, and A. Trifan, Bioactivity of dietary polyphenols: The role of metabolites. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 60 (2020) 626-659.

[8] R. Tsao, Chemistry and biochemistry of dietary polyphenols. Nutrients 2 (2010) 1231-46.

[9] X.F. Guo, B. Yang, J. Tang, J.J. Jiang, and D. Li, Apple and pear consumption and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Food Funct 8 (2017) 927-934.

[10] V. Mattioli, M.E. Zanolin, L. Cazzoletti, R. Bono, I. Cerveri, M. Ferrari, P. Pirina, and V. Garcia-Larsen, Dietary flavonoids and respiratory diseases: a population-based multi-case-control study in Italian adults. Public Health Nutr 23 (2020) 2548-2556.

[11] M. Yang, U. Lee, H.R. Cho, K.B. Lee, Y.J. Shin, M.J. Bae, and K.Y. Park, Effects of Pear Extracts on Microbiome and Immunocytokines to Alleviate Air Pollution-Related Respiratory Hypersensitivity. J Med Food 26 (2023) 211-214.

[12] X. Liu, and X. Li, Identification of Chinese medicine undersea coconut slices. traditional chinese medicinal materials 21 (1998) 3.

[13] S. Jana, S. Mukherjee, I. Ali, B. Ray, and S. Ray, Isolation, structural features, in vitro antioxidant activity and assessment of complexation ability with β-lactoglobulin of a polysaccharide from Borassus flabellifer fruit. Heliyon 6 (2020) e05499.

[14] V. Duraipandiyan, R. Balamurugan, N.A. Al-Dhabi, T. William Raja, P. Ganesan, B. Ahilan, M. Valan Arasu, S. Ignacimuthu, and G. Ali Esmail, The down regulation of PTP1B expression and attenuation of disturbed glucose and lipid metabolism using Borassus flabellifer (L) fruit methanol extract in high fat diet and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Saudi J Biol Sci 27 (2020) 433-440.

[15] S.S. Rahman, N. Yasmin, M. Kamruzzaman, M.R. Islam, M.R. Karim, and S.M. Rouf, Anti-hyperglycemic effect of the immature endosperm of sugar palm (Borassus flabellifer) fruit on type 2 diabetes mellitus patients-a case study. Diabetes Metab Syndr 14 (2020) 1317-1322.

[16] Y.K. Jung, and D. Shin, Imperata cylindrica: A Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Industrial Applications. Molecules 26 (2021).

[17] N.T. Shah, T.N. Pandya, P.P. Sharma, B.R. Patel, and R. Acharya, Mootrala Karma of Kusha [Imperata cylindrica Beauv.] and Darbha [Desmostachya bipinnata Stapf.] - A comparative study. Ayu 33 (2012) 387-90.

[18] J.Y. Ruan, H.N. Cao, H.Y. Jiang, H.M. Li, M.M. Hao, W. Zhao, Y. Zhang, Y. Han, Y. Zhang, and T. Wang, Structural characterization of phenolic constituents from the rhizome of Imperata cylindrica var. major and their anti-inflammatory activity. Phytochemistry 196 (2022) 113076.

[19] P. Nayim, A.T. Mbaveng, M. Sanjukta, J. Rikesh, V. Kuete, and K. Sudhir, CD24 gene inhibition and TIMP-4 gene upregulation by Imperata cylindrica's root extract prevents metastasis of CaSki cells via inhibiting PI3K/Akt/snail signaling pathway and blocking EMT. J Ethnopharmacol 275 (2021) 114111.

[20] P. Nayim, K. Sudhir, A.T. Mbaveng, V. Kuete, and M. Sanjukta, In Vitro Anticancer Activity of Imperata cylindrica Root's Extract toward Human Cervical Cancer and Identification of Potential Bioactive Compounds. Biomed Res Int 2021 (2021) 4259777.

[21] R.D.T. Nago, P. Nayim, A.T. Mbaveng, J.D.S. Mpetga, G.T.M. Bitchagno, B. Garandi, P. Tane, B.N. Lenta, N. Sewald, M. Tene, V. Kuete, and A.S. Ngouela, Prenylated Flavonoids and C-15 Isoprenoid Analogues with Antibacterial Properties from the Whole Plant of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeusch (Gramineae). Molecules 26 (2021).

[22] F. Ssempijja, S.S. Dare, E.E.M. Bukenya, K.I. Kasozi, R. Kenganzi, E.M. Fernandez, and M. Vicente-Crespo, Attenuation of Seizures, Cognitive Deficits, and Brain Histopathology by Phytochemicals of Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv (Poaceae) in Acute and Chronic Mutant Drosophila melanogaster Epilepsy Models. J Evid Based Integr Med 28 (2023) 2515690x231160191.

[23] U. Hewawansa, M.J. Houghton, E. Barber, R.J.S. Costa, B. Kitchen, and G. Williamson, Flavonoids and phenolic acids from sugarcane: Distribution in the plant, changes during processing, and potential benefits to industry and health. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 23 (2024) e13307.

[24] T.A. Hajam, and S. H, Phytochemistry, biological activities, industrial and traditional uses of fig (Ficus carica): A review. Chem Biol Interact 368 (2022) 110237.

[25] A.M. Abdel-Aty, M.B. Hamed, W.H. Salama, M.M. Ali, and S.A. Mohamed, Ficus carica, Ficus sycomorus and Euphorbia tirucalli latex extracts: Phytochemical screening, antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology 20 (2019) 101199.

[26] O. Ali Kan, and A.A. Polat, Phytochemical and antioxidant properties of selected fig (Ficus carica L.) accessions from the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. Scientia Horticulturae 128 (2011) 473-478.

[27] T. Whyand, J.R. Hurst, M. Beckles, and M.E. Caplin, Pollution and respiratory disease: can diet or supplements help? A review. Respir Res 19 (2018) 79.

[28] A. Saha, M.A. Masud, S.C. Bachar, J.K. Kundu, and B.K. Datta, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Imperata cylindrica. Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical ences 4 (2007).

[29] H.L. Aref, K.B.H. Salah, J.P. Chaumont, A. Fekih, and K. Said, In vitro antimicrobial activity of four Ficus carica latex fractions against resistant human pathogens (antimicrobial activity of Ficus carica latex). Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 23 (2010) 53-58.