Jasmine tea has been enjoyed safely for countless generations in China, Japan, India and Arabic countries. As a flower blossom, jasmine has no known side effects, but when the blossoms are made into tea they are often combined with tea leaves that contain caffeine. High dosages of caffeine or long-term consumption can cause some negative side effects within the body, especially in those sensitive to its psychoactive properties.
Brief History
The jasmine flowering shrub is indigenous to Persia, where its name means "gift from God," and was eventually brought to China almost 1,800 years ago, as cited in "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine." It wasn't until the establishment of the Song Dynasty, more than 700 hundred years later, that drinking jasmine tea became popular. It was enjoyed for its taste, but also was used for its medicinal properties within traditional Chinese medicine protocols. From China, it was eventually exported to Japan and India.
Jasmine Blossom Tea
There are about 200 different varieties of jasmine, but it is usually the Jasminum sambuc species that is used to make tea in China. Specifically, it is the white or yellow jasmine flowers or blossoms that are used for their aroma and medicinal properties. The flowers do not contain caffeine, but they are often mixed with green tea leaves or oolong, which do contain it. Jasmine blossoms and tea leaves are mixed in machines where the leaves take at least four hours to absorb the scent and flavor of the blossoms. The blossoms are then removed, leaving behind the oolong or green tea leaves. For the highest quality of jasmine tea, this process may be repeated up to seven times.
Side Effects
Jasmine tea has no known side effects other than those associated with the caffeine content of the base tea, which is either oolong or green tea. There is a slight possibility of an allergic reaction to the jasmine blossoms, but it is considered very rare. Caffeine blocks the actions of a neurotransmitter in the brain, leading to an increase in neuron activity, which is perceived as heightened alertness and reduced sleepiness. Side effects of heavy caffeine use include increased secretion of stress hormones, adrenal gland fatigue, insomnia and dehydration. The caffeine content of jasmine tea varies, but is usually no more than half that in an equal sized mug of brewed coffee, according to "Nutritional Sciences." Loose leaf varieties of jasmine tea tend to have less caffeine than tea bag varieties. Decaffeinated versions of jasmine tea are also available.
Health Benefits
Aside from its refreshing taste, jasmine tea is used in Asia as a folk remedy for many conditions, including reducing anxiety and sedation. The other benefits usually attributed to jasmine tea are actually those of the green tea leaves it contains, such as reducing blood cholesterol levels, increasing metabolism, stimulating immunity, and antibiotic and antioxidant properties, as cited in "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica."
References
- "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine"; Simon Mills; 1994
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "Nutritional Sciences"; Michelle McGuire; 2007
- "Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica"; Dan Bensky et al.; 2004
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