Effective ways to recharge mana?

[Razzr]

I'm in chapter 4 already and still trying to work out a solid way to recharge mana besides resting at shrines. I got some items to use with my gourd and drinks but the mana gain is very small.
Did I miss something or the only real way to recharge mana is to rest at shrines?

[RubyCante]

when you see those spirit (green-blue-purple) those can charge your gourd, so chug away at your gourd then loot the spirit, green will fill according to the number of the spirit there, while blue-purple will fill it to full

[Eadmond]

Later you can drink when your health is full to restore a minor portion of it.
So, not no way you can effectively do that, and if you can, you will be very ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ unfairly OP.
In second playthorugh, you will unlock another OP skill for Wukong, if I remember correctly, it can ressurect you and restore all your blue bar. Yeah, I know, annoying monkey just don't die huh?