Jasmine tea is a real gem among the various types of herbal teas, recognizable by its intoxicating aroma and taste and valued in cultures around the world, especially adored and traditionally prepared in northern China. Jasmine arrived in China from Persia as early as the second century AD, and the magical white flowers began to be used to make tea sometime around the fifth century.
What is important to know about this wonderful drink is that it is not made from the flowers of the plant itself, as is the case with other herbal teas. The traditional drink known to us under this name is actually prepared with green, white, black tea or oolong, but is enriched in a special way with the aroma and extract of jasmine flowers. The procedure is specific and is done as follows. Jasmine flowers, which open during the night, are picked in the morning and stored in a cool place until the end of the day. Then, when they are about to open, they are arranged next to the dry leaves of some of the mentioned plants, which in this way absorb the jasmine’s smell and properties. In the case of ordinary jasmine, this procedure is repeated several times, and in the case of special, high-quality varieties, loved by experienced connoisseurs, the process is repeated a maximum of seven times.
You should be very careful when buying and purchasing jasmine tea, because not all of them are of the same quality, and some are only enriched and perfumed with extracts and oils, while they do not actually contain jasmine at all.
The healing properties of jasmine tea
Real jasmine tea is extremely beneficial for our body. It contains vitamin C, is rich in antioxidants and is known for its positive effect on digestion. It has a calming effect, and has proven to be useful in the fight against cancer. It helps with sugar problems, as well as in the fight against viruses and bacteria.
Digestion – Jasmine tea is known for its positive effect on the digestive tract. It is very effective in the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea or stomach ulcers.
Colds and flu – Jasmine tea has antibacterial and antiviral properties, which make it an excellent ally in the fight against various types of infections and diseases. Long-term consumption of jasmine tea strengthens the immune system and helps the body cope more easily and quickly with unpleasant complaints caused by colds, flu and other diseases of a similar type.
Prevention and treatment of cancer – Scientific medical studies of the effects of jasmine tea on human health have shown that this plant has the ability to slow down the growth of tumor cells. Because it has strong antioxidant properties, jasmine tea helps reduce the risk of developing various types of neoplasms, such as breast, esophageal, and prostate tumors. An Israeli scientific team even managed to develop a natural type of anti-tumor drug, using jasmonite, an ingredient that forms the stem of the plant and protects it from injury. The study showed that such a natural medicine has the effect of inhibiting the action of enzymes that encourage the growth and development of cancerous cells. The research is still experimental, but it offers hope for a new chapter in the fight against cancer. Because of this, jasmine tea is an excellent and pleasant choice as a prevention for the onset of cancer.
Calming effect – Jasmine tea is an excellent choice to combat stress. Excellent for its pleasant taste, quality and aroma, jasmine tea is ahead of other herbal drinks for these purposes. Research in Japan has shown that the scent of jasmine tea has a mildly sedative effect on subjects, slowing their heart rate and generally making them feel more relaxed and calm. One cup of jasmine tea is a real elixir for reducing nervousness, tension, insomnia and anxiety. It relaxes the mind and nerves, which is why it is ideal as a drink to be consumed before bed and for relaxation.
Diabetes Control – An intoxicating drink with jasmine flowers helps regulate and control blood sugar and insulin levels. It affects the regulation of the release of sugar in the body, while at the same time neutralizing the already present sugar in the blood. It contains a minimum dose of carbohydrates and sugar and is therefore an ideal choice for diabetics. Due to the mentioned properties, it is excellent in preventing serious complications caused by long-term diabetes, and it is often recommended as an excellent preventive measure for people who are at risk of contracting this unpredictable disease.
Preparation and application of jasmine tea
Jasmine tea should be prepared very carefully so that it has a full, intoxicating and pleasant taste, and its medicinal properties come to the fore. The water in which the tea is prepared should be close to boiling, hot, and never lukewarm or boiling. Boiling water can cause a strong bitterness to develop. One teaspoon of jasmine tea is enough for five to six cups of tea. Pour water over that amount, cover and leave for no longer than five minutes, because more than that will make the drink extremely bitter. Consume warm.
Jasmine tea usually has a fairly high concentration of caffeine. The caffeine content of the basic tea from which the drink is prepared will also affect the amount of caffeine in the jasmine tea obtained later. One cup contains an average of 5 to 20 milligrams of caffeine, which is quite a lot. People who are bothered by the high concentration of caffeine should be careful with the amount of jasmine tea consumed, as well as with the amount of tea itself to prepare the drink.