Jasmine Tea Prevents Strokes, Heart Attacks And More

Jasmine Green Tea is different from regular Green Tea in that it is both a leaf and the blossom of the flower. Jasmine is cultivated widely for its beautiful flowers. Over 200 species are known, each with fragrant white, yellow, or red flowers.

The jasmine plant was brought to China from Persia sometime in the third century AD but never became popular there until about 1000 years ago. Yin Hao is considered the finest jasmine tea. Other popular versions are Xiang Pian, Dragon Phoenix Pearl, and Mo Li Hua Cha, the latter being possibly the most popular scented tea worldwide.

To make jasmine green tea, they start with a Chinese green tea for a base. Two popular ones are pouching and oolong and a few start with a black tea base. The tea leaves are picked and processed in April and May. Then they are kept dry until the jasmine flowers bloom in late August and September.

The flowers are gathered when they are fully open, either at midnight or early in the morning. Then they are placed with the tea so that the scent of the flower can be absorbed over the next four hours. The flowers are then removed. This will be repeated from two to seven times over a month's processing before the tea is ready for sale. Grading of the tea is determined by how many scentings the tea has gotten over a month. Low grade is 2-3 scentings. Higher grades will use seven scentings over the month.

What’s so great about this stuff? Most green teas with jasmine contain a significant amount of polyphenols. These are plant-based substances that have proven to fight cancer, viruses, and have antioxidant properties. By eliminating free radicals the tea helps prevent certain cancers and slow aging. Jasmine reduces blood sugar for diabetics, and also reduces high blood pressure. This helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, thrombosis, and arterial sclerosis.

One of the Jasmine Green Tea health benefits is to improve intestine conditions by blocking the development and growth of bad bacteria and by strengthening good bacteria. It also helps to reduce the risk of blood clots, to prevent allergy and flu, to reduce blood sugar, to keep fluid balance, to boost the immune system, and to provide oral health and fluoride that helps prevent dental cavities.

In addition, jasmine tea fights food poisoning, including cholera, dysentery, and piccoli causing gastric ulcers. Gargling with jasmine green tea is believed to be one of the most effective ways to protect oneself from influenza, as the tea performs anti-viral functions.

Jasmine is also used as an herbal anti-depressant, helping with post-natal depression and menopause problems among other things. It is said to also enhance romantic feelings. The tea also functions like raspberry leaf tea by helping in childbirth and with milk production. It can sooth muscle and joint pain, including chronic back pain.

Recent studies show that jasmine tea can be used to lose weight. The presence of jasmine in the tea caused the ones drinking it to lose more weight than those simply drinking oolong tea. Some believe the presence of catechins in the jasmine cause the body to burn calories faster and decrease body fat.

To prepare a cup of tea, simply steep about one half teaspoon of tea in water from 170ºF to 190ºF for two minutes. You can repeat the steeping up to two times. You should consume at least four cups a day. This tea is served with strongly flavored foods or served alone. It is good with curries, chicken and fish, and vegetarian dishes. A good quality jasmine green tea will work beautifully with fruit and flower salads, or desserts made with flowers, or soft cheeses with pressed flowers.