Jasmine Oolong Tea: A “Present From Above”

For hundreds of generations in Arabic countries, India, Japan and China, Jasmine tea has become a regular and healthy addition to meals or just in itself, in particular that prepared using Oolong Tea. In today’s article we are going to have a quick look at this refreshing tea; its history, how it is prepared and some of its heath benefits (and things to look out for). Its one of our favourite Oolong Teas; if you haven’t already, one we hope you will try.

History

The flowering shrub of jasmine is native to Persia, where means fragrance. Nearly 1,800 years ago the plant was brought to China according to the “Herbal Medicine’s Essential Book”. After a very long 700 years, Jasmine made a name for itself as a refreshing and healthy beverage in the form of tea. Aside from its unique taste, Jasmine was also famous for its medicinal properties in the traditional Chinese herbal medicine. From China, this was exported to India and eventually on to Japan.

There are some 200 different varieties of Jasmine plants around the world. Generally grouped into those that grow more like vines and others that grow as shrubs or ground covers. The more well known vines include Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale), Showy Jasmine (Jasminum floridum) and Spanish Jasmine (Jasminum grandiflorum).

While the better known shrubs or grown covering varieties include: Arabic jasmine (Jasminum sambac), Italian jasmine (Jasminum humile), Winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), Primrose jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi) and Asian Star jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum)

Jasmine Tea

There are more than 200 varieties of Jasmine in the market today; however, the most common is the Jasminum sambuc in China. For medicinal and aromatic purposes, Jasmine’s yellow or white flowers are used. Its flowers alone don’t contain caffeine, it is only when mixed with green or Oolong tea leaves that caffeine is introduced. The tea leaves and Jasmine blossoms are mixed with machines – where it needs at least four hours to absorb the flavor and scent of the blossoms. After the blossoms are removed the Oolong tea leaves are left behind. For a high quality Jasmine Oolong tea, the process should be repeated seven times.

Health Benefits

Aside from its refreshing taste, Jasmine tea is also used as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia for several health conditions such as sedation and anxiety reduction. Other benefits are attributed to its green tea combination, such as increasing the rate of metabolism, stimulating the immune system, reducing bad cholesterol levels, as well as encouraging antioxidant and antibiotic agents. The tea also contained trace elements of copper, zinc, iron and potassium.

We have another article that goes into some more detail about the some of the health benefits of Oolong and that article can be found here.

Side Effects

According to researchers, Jasmine has no recorded side effects except for those that are caused by caffeine, which is either from the green or Oolong tea. Although rare, some people do have an allergic reaction to the Jasmine blossom. 

Caffeine is able to block the brain’s normal neurotransmitter actions, leading to a hyperactive neuron activity. The result of this is reduced sleepiness and heightened alertness. The adverse effects of prolonged and heavy caffeine intake include dehydration, insomnia, fatigue of the adrenal gland and increased secretion of hormones responsible for stress. And so like all drinks containing caffeine, its use needs to be done with a pinch of common sense.

We have another article that looks specifically at some more of the health issues around Oolong Tea and you can find that information here.