Jasmine Tea

Jasmine Tea is a tea made from either green or oolong tea as a base and jasmine flowers added to enhance the smell and taste. Jasmine is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae), with about 200 species, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World. The leaves can be either evergreen or deciduous. Jasmine tea benefits are primarily dependant on the base used for making it.

Preparation of jasmine tea

Jasmine is harvested in the spring and stored until early summer when fresh Jasmine flowers are in bloom. The flowers are picked early in the day when the small petals are still tightly closed, then kept cool until nightfall. In the early evening when the flowers begin to open, the tea used as the base is blended with the Jasmine flowers and stored overnight. The night-blooming Jasmine flowers then open and release their fragrance into the tea. It takes over four hours for the tea to absorb the fragrance and flavor of the jasmine blossoms, this process may be repeated for as many as six or seven times. The tea absorbs moisture from the fresh Jasmine flowers so it must be re-fired to prevent spoilage.

Benefits Of Jasmine Tea

Most blends of jasmine tea are made with green tea used as a base and jasmine petals. The main benefits of this blend includes:

Prevention and Treatment of Cancer - Jasmine tea with green tea as a base, has the ability to slow down the growth of cancer cells in our body. It has a chemoprotective effect for breast tumor and prostate cancer.

Relieves Anxiety – The scent of jasmine tea has a sedative like effect on people. The scent slows the heart rates making you become more calm and relaxed.

Lowers the Level of Cholesterol – Jasmine tea with green tea as a base contains catechins which lower the cholesterol and triglyceride level in the body.

Antibacterial Effect - jasmine tea with green tea as a base has the ability to restrict the growth of certain bacteria that causes food borne diseases.

Keeps You Young – Jasmine tea protects your body from damages by free radicals which can speed up the aging process.

Weight Loss – Jasmine tea is good for weight loss. Jasmine tea naturally has a very sweet taste, so does not usually need adding sugar or honey to it.

Anti – Depressant – Jasmine tea also acts as an anti-depressant. It’s good for low-level of confidence, fearfulness, menopause, paranoia and post natal depression

Side Effects Of Jasmine Tea

Jasmine tea has no known side effects apart from that associated with its caffeine content of the base tea, which is either oolong or green tea. There is a slight possibility of an allergic reaction to the jasmine blossoms, but it is considered very rare. Caffeine blocks the actions of a neurotransmitter in the brain, leading to an increase in neuron activity, which is perceived as heightened alertness and reduced sleepiness. Side effects of heavy caffeine use include increased secretion of stress hormones, adrenal gland fatigue, insomnia and dehydration.

In summary, Jasmine Tea has many benefits which are mainly associated with the tea used as the base. The main side effect is the caffeine content in its base and although rare, allergic reaction to jasmine petal.