Chinese Herbal Teas

Chinese herbal teas are known for their many health benefits, which include improved digestion, stress relief, weight loss and maintenance, and even memory enhancement. They are made from various parts of the plant, including the leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, bark, and stems. The best Chinese herbal teas, based on Ayurvedan herbal medicine, use different herb combinations to achieve specific health benefits.

Modern Chinese herbal teas use three types of herbs – an essential healing herb, an herb to supplement the healing, and a flavoring herb to make it drinkable. They may be taken as dietary supplements or used in cooking. Here are some popular Chinese herbal teas and their benefits.

Ginkgo biloba tea

Ginkgo biloba is known to reduce bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol in the body, preventing heart disease. It is also touted as a memory herb – several studies show that it improves blood circulation to the brain and slows down the degeneration of brain cells. Fresh ginkgo leaves work better than dried, but they are harder to find and usually more expensive.

 Green Tea

Green tea is made from leaves that have undergone very little oxidation during processing (black tea uses fully oxidized leaves). It is commonly used for weight loss and digestion, and may be consumed fresh or used in cooking. It is also said to help prevent cancer, but there are no studies backing this claim.

 Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is processed with 10% to 70% oxidation, darker than green tea but lighter than black tea. There are different types of Chinese Oolong tea, but the most famous are those grown in the Wu Yi mountain province. Oolong tea is high in antioxidants, which help fight free radicals – substances that damage the cells and make the body prone to disease.

 Jiaogulan Tea

Known as China’s “immortality herb” Jiaogulan is one of the most famous Chinese herbal teas. Besides antioxidants, it also contains adaptogens and saponins – a group of chemicals that promotes self-regulation, a key factor in treating diabetes. It also lowers blood cholesterol and blood sugar and reduces the risk of heart disease.

IMPORTANT

Some Chinese herbal teas contain additives that may be harmful to your health, such as silica, sugar, starch, and gluten. To make sure your product has no such additives, buy only herbal teas that are GMP-compliant. Also, make sure the product does not contain artificial colors and flavors.