8 Health Benefits Of Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is made from a combination of true tea leaves and jasmine blossoms. The jasmine flowers are typically harvested from one variety of jasmine plant known as Jasminum officinale. Related to the olive family, jasmine flowers emit a fragrant smell with a sweet note. Herbal tea made from green tea leaves and jasmine flowers is called jasmine pearls. The delicate pearls unfurl as the tea steeps, creating a beautiful presentation.
Jasmine tea drinking was pioneered China during the Ming Dynasty when florals were in fashion. Floral patterns covered paintings, tableware, embroidered fabric, and books. Jasmine tea came to the rest of the world around 1800.
Jasmine tea has some notable health benefits:
Metabolism and Weight Loss
A Japanese study published in 2010 showed that people who regularly consume green tea can have a higher resting metabolic rate than those who didn’t (1).
Cancer-Fighting
Jasmine tea contains high levels of antioxidants that help eliminate free radicals. Jasmine tea made with green tea is high in catechins, while jasmine tea brewed with black tea leaves contains high levels of theaflavins. Jasmine green tea contains polyphenols and antioxidants including epigallocatechin gallate that has been shown to prevent cancer.
Healthy Heart
The same antioxidants in jasmine tea that help prevent cancer also help ensure a healthy heart. High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to strokes, blood clots, and heart attacks. Catechins found in jasmine tea can lower LDL cholesterol oxidation.
Relaxation
Studies have shown the olfactory senses have a powerful connection to relaxation. The delightful aroma of jasmine tea can trigger a parasympathetic response, which releases chemicals that help the body relax and unwind.
Fight Type 2 Diabetes
Drinking jasmine green tea can help control or prevent type two diabetes by regulating insulin levels. A study conducted by BMC showed the antioxidants in green tea leaves lowered blood glucose levels in diabetic mice (7).
Immunity
Jasmine tea has high levels of inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help boost the immune system.
Anti-Inflammatory
Jasmine green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce aches and pains associated with arthritis or joint pain. A study conducted by the American College of Rheumatology showed that the epigallocatechin gallate in green tea leaves could block painful inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Anti-Aging
The powerful antioxidants and polyphenols in jasmine tea help slow down the aging process by eliminating free radicals that can cause wrinkles and skin damage. The polyphenols also work to smooth and even out the skin pigmentation and minimize fine lines. Washing your face using a cooled cup of jasmine tea only increases these benefits.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/
2. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15585768
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9852288
5. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2007.tb00314.x
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15976995
7. https://bmcpharma.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2210-4-18
8. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/art.39447