Jasmine tea benefits the mind and the body in various ways. In its natural form, Jasmine is a beautiful flower. When brewed as tea, Jasmine boasts of a delicious taste. When infused with either white tea or green tea, you have one of best-tasting tea you can ever think of.
But is it beneficial? What makes it unique? Well, according to many scientific studies, jasmine tea has shown potential in helping to boost health in a variety of ways. It also benefits the skin and can relieve stress as well as aid in weight loss.
Before we talk about these benefits in greater depth, let’s talk more about Jasmine tea and its history.
What Is Jasmine Tea?
Jasmine tea comes in different types, including jasmine green tea, jasmine herbal tea, and jasmine white tea. You will even find jasmine black, and oolong tea but the taste is not as pronounced in these oxidized brews as it is in green and white tea.
How is jasmine green tea and jasmine white tea prepared? In June, July, and August, laborers hand-pick jasmine buds when the dew has evaporated, and the sun is out.
The pickers only pick buds that are due to bloom and store them in a dry place for a day. After the blossoms open in the night, they release their signature scent.
It is at this time that the flowers are kept into basket trays for the scenting process. After some hours, the tea leaves placed underneath the flowers absorb the distinct flavor and fragrance of jasmine.
High-grade teas are taken through a repeated process of scenting to ensure their scent is intensified.
The finished products have floral notes of jasmine as well the grassy notes of the base tea- either white or green tea.
On the other hand, jasmine herbal tea is a beverage made entirely from jasmine flowers and is preferred by people who want to reduce caffeine intake or those who are looking for a caffeine-free drink.
History of Jasmine Teas
Jasmine tea has been used for thousands of years, and its usage can be dated back to China, where it was reserved for the royal families. However, before its usage in China, the Persians (Iranians) used to make jasmine tea as it was where jasmine flowers were first grown before they found their way to China through trade. The Ming Dynasty ordered large quantity of high-quality jasmine tea and used it in tea blends with other types of tea sometimes selecting jasmine as the tea base or simply a scented tea.
However, it was the Chinese who embraced it more, and this is where it derived its popularity. After many centuries, this tea has now been embraced by many people around the world, and its popularity keeps rising.
Health Benefits of Jasmine Tea
If you are not convinced whether to drink this tea or go for other teas, maybe the benefits we will discuss in this section will convince you more.
In their natural form, jasmine flowers are rich in antioxidant that can help combat free radicals in the body. This, in turn, reduces the risks of developing different chronic conditions and also benefits the skin.
What more could you want from your morning drink? Well, here are the benefits of jasmine tea in greater depth.
1. Boosts Energy
As we mentioned earlier, jasmine tea uses base teas such as white or green tea. These true teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, which has caffeine.
The caffeine content of this tea, therefore, depends on which true tea is used as the base tea, although green tea is the most common. A cup of jasmine green tea has 35mg of caffeine while that of coffee has 95mg.
Therefore, you can reduce your caffeine intake by switching from taking coffee to jasmine tea, while still getting a boost in energy to make your body active. The caffeine in jasmine tea can also help you stay alert, but we will talk about this later on.
2. Has Anti-Aging Properties
Have you ever visited a beauty shop and saw an anti-aging face cream going for $99 and wondered if there was an alternative? The answer is jasmine tea, specifically jasmine white tea.
A study by BioMed Central showed that white tea has antioxidant activity, which can have a positive effect on your skin appearance. Researchers were looking specifically at the effects of collagen and elastin, two structural proteins found in the skin.
Elastin maintains skin elasticity and promotes repair of ruptured wounds. On the other hand, collagen, a protein in connective tissues, supports skin strength, and also supports elasticity. When these two structural proteins break down, they can cause the skin to sag and develop wrinkles. Amino acids and the aroma of jasmine may bring much stronger benefits than a cup of coffee.
The study found that white has anti-elastase activity due to the presence of antioxidants such as EGCG, which can help break down peptide bonds in collagen, thereby preventing its breakdown. The results- better skin. Therefore, we can conclude that jasmine white tea can help improve your skin appearance. (1)
Many skincare products have jasmine flowers as one of the ingredients. The antioxidants delivered by jasmine can benefit the skin. In the same way, jasmine tea may also benefit the skin from the inside.
3. Aid In Weight Loss
Losing weight is challenging, and thus having a little extra support can make the journey motivating and worthwhile. Jasmine tea has shown a potential to aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism, especially when coupled with green tea. A faster metabolism translates to quicker digestion of food and assimilation of nutrients, leading to weight loss.
A Japanese study done in 2010 showed that green tea can increase resting metabolic rate, which means burning more calories and fat. (2) Therefore, by drinking jasmine green tea, you can lose weight even when you are not working out. However, it is important to mention that this tea is not a miracle worker, and thus, you will need to integrate the right weight loss diet and workout routine for you to see significant results.
Besides, you can opt to drink jasmine herbal tea, which is a low-calorie beverage to avoid packing more weight.
Related Article: The 5 Best Teas to Lose Weight Fast, #3 Is My Favorite
4. May Help Prevent Cancer
Cancer is a common ailment in modern society affecting many people, and the focus at the moment is preventing yourself from this chronic disease. Fortunately, jasmine tea may help prevent cancer by destroying free radicals in the body.
With high levels of antioxidants, jasmine tea help to eliminate free radicals roaming in the body. Free radicals are brought by pollutants in the environment and the food we eat. They can cause body cells to act irregularly, which can cause cancer and neurological diseases.
Depending on the base tea you prefer to mix with jasmine tea, you can reap the benefits of different antioxidants. For instance, jasmine tea with green tea as the base contains high levels of catechins (antioxidants) while jasmine tea brewed with black tea has high levels of theaflavins (antioxidants).
Jasmine green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, including epigallocatechin gallate that may help prevent cancer. (3)
Another study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed epigallocatechin gallate may help protect cell DNA from damages caused by free radicals.
In another study done in China, it was proved that consuming jasmine green tea can reduce the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer. (4)
If you prefer jasmine mixed with black tea, you will still reap the benefits of cancer-fighting as black tea contains theaflavins, which inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
5. Improve Cardiovascular Health
Maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system means you live longer and healthier. By drinking 2-3 cups of jasmine tea every day can help keep your heart operating optimally and lower the risk of developing chronic diseases.
The same antioxidants in this tea that helps to prevent cancer also ensure your heart stays healthy. Catechins in jasmine tea help lower unhealthy LDL cholesterol oxidation. High levels of LDL cholesterol can enlarge arteries and veins, thereby leading to blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
LDL is known as bad cholesterol and has been linked to different cardiovascular health problems, including diabetes and high blood pressure. People with heart disease may consider jasmine tea or green tea leaves and aromatherapy as a non-intrusive way to improve their condition.
6. May Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
The main cause of type 2 diabetes is the inability of the body to produce insulin or regulate its production. Lifestyle and genetic factors contribute to this disease as well.
By drinking jasmine green tea, you can regulate insulin production, thereby preventing diabetes.
A study done by BMC revealed that antioxidants in green tea could lower blood glucose levels in mice. (5) Although studies on human have not been extensive, this study showed that it is possible for jasmine green tea to regulate blood sugar in people who experience spikes or low blood sugar levels.
Jasmine tea also helps to regulate glucose levels in individuals, thereby reducing the risk of developing diabetes.
7. It Is Good for Skin Health
Jasmine teas and essential oils derived from jasmine blossoms have antibacterial properties as well as antioxidants that can help you maintain good skin health. While jasmine oils can be used topically to heal wounds and scars, drinking its tea can offer skin benefits from the inside.
As discussed earlier, the powerful polyphenols and antioxidants in jasmine tea act as anti-aging elements by eliminating free radicals, which are known to cause skin damage and wrinkles. Polyphenols help to minimize fine lines by generalizing skin pigmentations.
Therefore, consuming 2-3 beverages a day may benefit your skin. Also, you can wash your face with a cold cup of jasmine tea every day.
Other Jasmine tea benefits
- Good for Oral Health
Jasmine tea can help improve your oral health as it can prevent tooth decay, treat gum diseases, remove dental plaque, and reduce bad breath. This is because it has powerful properties that can kill off harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Jasmine helps to reduce saliva’s acidity and remove dental plaque, thereby reducing instances of tooth decay. Therefore, rinse your mouth with this tea every day for 5 minutes for better oral health.
- Improves Immune System
Due to high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, this herbal tea can boost your immune system, and thus protect you against common illnesses such as cold and influenza.
With a healthy immune system, your body can fight infections, which is why you should maintain your immune system at optimal levels. Jasmine tea is also rich in minerals and vitamins that also benefit your immune system.
Related Article: What Is Echinacea Tea? And Can It Help a Cold?
- Relieve Stress and Anxiety
The refreshing scent of jasmine combined with soothing properties of green tea can help reduce stress, anxiety, and tension. Therefore, whenever you feel stressed or tensed, drink a cup of jasmine tea, and you will feel relieved.
Despite the many benefits that jasmine tea offer, there are some unwanted side effects
Side Effects of Jasmine Tea
It contains caffeine– Although jasmine herbal tea has no caffeine, its base teas contain significant levels of caffeine, which can negatively affect your health, especially when taken in large amounts. Therefore, it is recommended that you restrict intake of this tea to 2-3 cups a day.
Related Article: The Wondrous Connection between Green Tea and Sleep
Intestinal discomfort– due to its high acidity levels, drinking jasmine tea on an empty stomach can cause intestinal discomfort and pain. Your mood depends on five senses, and jasmine influences two of these senses to help you relax and liven up.
Studies show that jasmine tea scent can trigger parasympathetic responses, which tell the body to relax. There are ongoing studies looking into the sedative effects of jasmine tea aromas. (6)
Premature contractions during pregnancy. Due to its strong scents and chemical composition, jasmine tea can have negative effects on pregnant women as it can cause premature contractions. Therefore, if you are pregnant, consult your doctor before adding this tea in your diet.
How to Brew Jasmine Tea
In most cases, jasmine tea comes in the form of loose-leaf varieties and tea bags, and the packaging will more often come with a procedure on how to brew. Temperatures and steeping times are what matters, and you should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the tea.
However, this is the general procedure
Step 1- Tear the leaves
If you have tea bags, your procedure starts in step 2. Loose leaf tea has a high amount of tannins, which makes your tea bitter and astringent. Most people like it when jasmine tea has an intense aroma, and loose leaves give it its original aroma.
Therefore, it is important to tear the leaves up. Generally, use 2 grams of jasmine tea for every eight ounces of water.
Step 2- Boil water
Jasmine tea produces its best aroma and taste when brewed with filtered or pure water as it allows flavors to come out properly. Water should boil at 180 degrees Fahrenheit for this tea to come out tasting great. Don’t exceed the temperatures as your tea will be bitter.
Step 3- Steep
You should steep your jasmine tea for 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending on how intense you want the taste to be. It is important to steep it inside your teapot when the lid is intact to keep the heat and flavor inside.
Bottom Line
While green tea is recognized around the globe for its many health benefits, few know the health benefits and goodness of jasmine tea.
A cup of this herbal tea can beneficial for your body as it can calm down your senses, slow down the signs of aging, prevents gastrointestinal cancer, improve your heart health, and aid in weight loss, among other benefits.
Therefore, add this tea to your diet to enjoy the above and many other benefits.
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References
- https://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-9-27
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855614/
- https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/tea-fact-sheet
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10552-009-9394-z
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15976995
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15976995
