Used for centuries in traditional medicine, jasmine tea has been studied in recent years for its health benefits in treating depression and other health issues. Jasmine tea is typically a blend of green tea and the jasmine flower. The combination has a wide range of medical benefits due to the antioxidants in the tea, which help prevent heart disease and cancer. Studies also show that the use of jasmine in inhalation therapy relaxes nerves and relieves headaches.
Aromatherapy
Never mind drinking it, just the aroma from jasmine tea has benefits. A study published in the “European Journal of Applied Psychology” found that the inhalation of the jasmine scent produces a significant reduction in heart rate that results in a sedative effect on mood and nerve activity. Jasmine tea is widely used in aromatherapy as a stress reliever and a natural anti-depressant.
Stroke Prevention
Medical researchers from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences conducted a large study with about 1000 subjects to investigate the correlation between tea consumption and stroke. The researchers found that jasmine or green tea consumption of over 150 grams per month is statistically significant in reducing the risk of stroke. The average cup of jasmine tea contains 3.3 grams; drink two or three cups per day for stroke prevention.
Antioxidants & Cancer
Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells against free radicals, which contributes to heart disease and cancer. Jasmine tea is a natural polyphenol antioxidant that primarily consist of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). These antioxidants are absorbed in the blood when you drink jasmine tea. Research has shown that EGCG helps treat chronic fatigue syndrome. According to the University of Maryland Center, the polyphenols found in jasmine green tea is believed to kill cancerous cells and prevent cancer. The clinical studies are inconclusive; it requires further research.
Lower Cholesterol
Regularly drinking jasmine tea can help reduce cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease. To discover the effects of Chinese tea on high cholesterol, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong conducted a study. Lab rats were put on a high cholesterol diet for a week and treated with different tea extracts for 8 weeks whilst maintaining the diet. The results found that green tea and jasmine tea significantly lowered serum and liver cholesterol. The high levels of the antioxidant catechin found in jasmine tea may have played a crucial role in the cholesterol reduction.
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