Benefits of Wu Long Tea

According to Michael Castleman in his book, "The New Healing Herbs," Wu Long tea, also known as oolong tea, is one of the four traditional teas made from Camellia sinensis leaves. Camellia sinensis leaves are also used to make white, green and black tea. There are many potential health benefits related to drinking all traditional teas including Wu Long.

Energy

Wu Long tea contains three stimulating factors: caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, which can offer more energy, relief from cold or flu symptoms and alleviation of headache pain. One cup of Wu Long tea typically contains about half the amount of caffeine that is in one cup of coffee.

This mild amount of caffeine can provide you with extra energy, yet prevent you from experiencing over-stimulation. Caffeine can also be used to open congested airways or to enhance the effectiveness of a pain reliever like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. You should consult a health care professional before combining any medication with caffeinated products.

Theanine

The stimulation caused by the caffeine in Wu Long tea is balanced by the soothing effect of L-theanine, an amino acid found only in tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis leaf. Theanine is said to stimulate alpha brainwaves to reduce stress and calm a preoccupied mind thereby putting Wu Long tea drinkers in a "...relaxed but alert mental state of mind." Recent studies have shown theanine to also possess immune-boosting properties helping to reduce the risk of bacterial or viral infection. Therefore, regular consumption of Wu Long tea could help you avoid the cold or flu.

Bone Density

A study performed by the School of Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Western Australia found that drinking tea can promote increased bone density of older women as cited in a study found on the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" website. This study tested the hip bone density of 1500 women between the ages of 70 to 85 for a five-year period.

The results of this study showed an average 1.6 percent bone density loss in the women who drank tea regularly as compared to an average 4 percent bone density loss in the women who did not drink tea regularly. Therefore, regularly drinking Wu Long tea could protect you from the bone density loss associated with the debilitating disease osteoporosis.