Please note: While herbal “teas” can be brewed from a variety of leaves,
flowers, or roots, in this article we focus on tea leaves. Tea – Oolong, green,
white, yellow, red and black – comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis
plant. The difference in taste and health benefit comes from the way the tea
leaves are processed: to make black tea, the leaves are fermented, which
neutralizes many of the antioxidants present in the leaves, while oolong /
white / yellow / green tea is produced by lightly steaming the fresh-cut leaf.
At the end of this article we will be discussing several additional herbs that
may be added for further health benefits.
A SHORT HISTORY…
There are many
old sayings in Chinese on the value of tea. One however shows the immense
value customarily placed on tea. It reads: “Better to be deprived of food for
three days, than tea for one.” That is quite a strong statement, but it is also
very telling of the new scientific research backing up this tradition.
The tea leaf has
branches in many places, but its roots are in China. As legend has it, a man
named Shen Nong, who is considered the father of farming and medicine in China,
discovered tea in the process of developing a written account of the medicinal
use of herbs. History says he was poisoned one day after eating more than 60
herbs. He then used tea to balance / detoxify the poisonous effect of the
herbs, thus saving his life.
Before the
people of ancient China consumed tea as a daily beverage, it was used as
medicine. The use of tea leaves is categorized as “clearing heat and purging
fire.” The traditional medical indications for drinking tea mainly consist of
digestive conditions such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, the
treatment of headaches and reducing excess fat in meat-heavy meals are also
included in its use.
CALM YOUR SPIRIT …
Another
interesting association with the tea leaf is its strong connection to the
monastic traditions throughout Asia. Hermit monks living in the mountains of
China grow tea near their huts. A lovely poem by an anonymous monk reads: “The
singing kettle sounds like a cicada pouring forth his woes to the departing
summer.” Tea is traditionally said to relax the mind and calm the spirit. But
wait, what about its caffeine content?
Researchers have
often wondered why tea, despite its stimulating caffeine content, tends to calm
one’s spirits without making them drowsy. Furthermore, mountain monks who
engage in meditation drink tea to dispel mental sluggishness, and yet do not
become mentally agitated. The answer is a rare amino acid in tea called
L-theanine. This amino acid is the component in oolong / green tea that is
largely responsible for its relaxing benefits.
Many tests have
demonstrated the anti-stress effects of L-theanine. One of the more revealing
of these experiments examined brain wave patterns after the ingestion of
L-theanine. In this study, fifty volunteers were divided into high-anxiety and
low-anxiety groups. Each group was given either 50 or 200 mg of isolated
L-theanine in water once a week. Their brain waves were measured during the
hour after ingestion. The results showed marked increases in relaxed
wakefulness roughly 40 minutes after ingestion.
OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS …
Animal studies
have shown oolong / green tea, or its extracts, to be effective against
chemically induced cancers. These cancers include: lung, breast, colon, liver,
skin, and a variety of gastrointestinal cancers. Furthermore, oolong / green
tea extracts have been found to protect animals from certain types of prostate
cancer.
Human evidence
for the health benefits of oolong / green tea consumption is also impressive.
Extensive evidence shows that people who consume high amounts of oolong / green
tea live longer, develop less cancer, have healthier cholesterol levels, and
suffer less cardiovascular and liver disease.
How to Brew –
Use one teaspoon of loose-leaf green or oolong tea per cup of water. Brew for 2
to 3 minutes using water that has just begun to steam – not yet boiling. Most
high quality loose-leaf teas can be re-used several times.
BOOSTING YOUR BENEFITS …
Modifying your
tea is a simple and delicious task that has many added health benefits. Below
are three herbs, each with their own special effect on the body. In order to
modify your tea, go to a Chinese herb shop and buy a bag of one of the
following herbs, and add a handful of the chopped ingredient and let it steep
with your regular tea leaves. You can just add one, all three, or combine them
as you wish. Write down the Mandarin names and show it to the people at
the shop, and they will direct you to the herbs in question.
• Fructus
Jujubae, Da Zao in Mandarin, or simply Chinese date in English, is a potent and
tasty add to your regular tea. Make sure to add the kernel at the center, crack
it open with scissors or pliers. This will unlock the most potent part of the
herb. Chinese dates have a long list of traditional indications, including:
boosting digestion, generating strong blood cells, calming the spirit, and
reducing the toxicity of other herbs. Chinese dates also have a sweet taste,
making them perfect after a hearty meal.
• Fructus Lycii,
Gou Qi Zi in Mandarin, or simply Goji Berries in English, are another strong
and tasty way to modify your regular tea. Goji berries are an incredibly
valuable daily tonic. They too have a long list of indications, including:
brightening the eyes, moistening the lungs, generating fresh and strong blood,
and boosting virility.
• Arillus
Longan, Long Yan Rou in Mandarin, or simply dried longan fruit in English, is a
wonderful addition to your regular cup. Both sweet and warm in nature, this
herb is used to boost heart and digestive function. It is also used to
simultaneously bolster Qi, the body’s vital energy, and blood. This is a
commonly used herb to strengthen the body after giving birth or a long illness.
Conclusion …
As the ancient Chinese
would have said, “A drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring.”
The meaning of this saying is that even if it was just a little help from
others, you should return the favour with all you can when others are in need.
This is a perfect saying when it comes to your tea, just a teaspoon can go a
long way for your health. Bottoms Up!
No comments:
Post a Comment