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Jasmine flowers are a beauty to behold and have a lovely smell. However, there’s more to the flower. Besides being used in daily scenarios for its beauty and fragrance, jasmine makes healthy teas and body beauty products. If you go through your skincare product collections, you may see jasmine listed as one of the natural ingredients used. And for that purpose, it is used as Jasmine green tea – the combined advantage of green tea and jasmine blossoms.
This fantastic combination called jasmine green tea has many benefits and has made powerful contributions to the health and beauty industry. This article will look at these benefits but first assess the jasmine plant.
The Jasmine Plant
Jasmine is a flowering plant of Jasminum and the family Oleaceae plant. It has over 200 species of wide variants and can be found in tropical regions (1). When mixed with green tea leaves, it becomes a powerful medicinal solution called Jasmine Green tea.
What is Jasmine Green Tea?
Jasmine green tea is a tea made by combining green tea leaves – as the base with jasmine flower fragrance. It is classified as scented or flavored tea. Jasmine green tea has a high content of polyphenols; these polyphenols are responsible for the multiple benefits of the tea.
Also Read – 10 Beauty Benefits of Black Tea That Will Make You Crave for It
The flower blossoms are collected in a machine that controls temperature and humidity to make the jasmine green tea. Two jasmine species usually used in jasmine tea-making processes are the common jasmine (Jasminum Officinale) and the Sampaguita (Jasminum sambac). The collected flower blossoms are left steep with the green tea leaves within the machine for four to five hours. This allows the tea leaves to completely absorb the fragrance and flavor of the jasmine flower blossoms. To increase the potency of the jasmine tea mixture, this flower steeping procedure may be repeated up to seven times. At the end of the brewing process, the used flower blossoms may be removed from the tea, as all of its fragrance and flavor must have been absorbed. In recent times and for commercial purposes, jasmine oils may be used instead of jasmine blossoms.
The relevance and popularity of the jasmine green tea began in China, as it was brewed first during the Ming dynasty. And with further research, its health and beauty benefits became popular as well.
The nutritional content of Jasmine green tea
Jasmine green tea combines jasmine blossoms and green tea, a powerful combination with a wide range of health benefits. However, the tea has minor nutritional value (2), noticeable caffeine content, and only trace amounts of
- Zinc
- Iron
- Copper
- Potassium
18 Health and Beauty Benefits of Jasmine Green tea
1. Prevention of Heart Diseases
The polyphenol properties of green tea may help protect your heart from diseases. It does this by preventing the bad cholesterol LDL (low-density lipoproteins) from oxidizing. This oxidation is a process that raises the risk of heart diseases by increasing blood pressure and inflammations. These two factors – blood pressure and inflammation result in clogged arteries and blood vessels. Therefore, prevention of the oxidation process ensures a lower risk of heart disease occurrence (3).
2. Improved Metabolism and Mental Boost
The caffeine content of jasmine green tea triggers a mental boost and improves temporary metabolism.
3. Anti-oxidative Advantages
The green tea component of jasmine green tea contains powerful plant-based antioxidants – polyphenols. These polyphenols include flavonoids, catechins, and tannins – which have powerful anti-oxidative properties and significantly improve health. They also possess the ability to prevent the activities of free radicals (4).
4. For Calm Relaxation Purposes
Jasmine green tea has calm, sleep-inducing properties and offers stress-reducing effects. The jasmine fragrance infusion also calms the mind, reducing stress levels and great skin.
5. For Immediate Refreshment of the Skin
You may steep jasmine green leaves or tea bags in hot water, let it sit to cool and use it to rinse your face. It results in an immediate refreshment of the skin.
Also Read – The Nutritional Value, Benefits, and Side effects of Oolong Tea
6. Act as a Weight Loss Supplement
Jasmine green tea contains the antioxidant EGCG – Epigallocatechin gallate, a potent detoxifier. This EGCG has benefits, including aiding weight loss and improving blood sugar control. Also, the caffeine content of jasmine green tea may aid in weight loss. The fat-burning properties of these two components – EGCG and caffeine, make the jasmine green tea serve as a diet aid to accelerate weight loss. The mechanism behind this action is the increment of body temperature, which increases body metabolism processes. This process triggers the body to burn off fat stores (5).
Also, taking jasmine green tea as a replacement for sodas may significantly reduce daily caloric intake. Its great taste may also serve to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Also Read – Green Tea Face Masks: Your Way To A Flawless And Rejuvenated Skin
7. Promotion of Overall Well Being
The high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins supports overall health and wellbeing. The antioxidant EGCG – Epigallocatechin gallate is a potent detoxifier with anti-inflammatory and blood lipid-lowering effects. These properties of EGCG promote overall health and wellbeing. Some of these actions may include weight loss, elimination of free radicals, and improved blood sugar control. Free radicals cause oxidative stress, leading to cancer, premature aging, and neurological diseases (6).
8. Treatment of Acne
Ingestion and topical application of jasmine green tea may get rid of skin acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of jasmine green tea act to this effect. You may take strong brews of jasmine green tea as desired. Also, directly applying the tea to the acne-ridden skin may reduce inflammation and infection.
9. Improves Youthful Skin Appearance
The antioxidant–catechins in jasmine green tea reduce skin inflammation and fight aging processes. This improves skin appearance.
10. Gets Rid of Toxins
Consistent consumption of jasmine green tea flushes toxins out of the body system. This improves overall health and visible skin appearance.
11. Inhibits the Growth of Harmful Bacteria
Jasmine green tea acts as a guard from infections, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.
12. Improves Oral Health
Jasmine green tea contains large quantities of polyphenol catechins. The catechins possess the ability to kill the plaque-forming bacteria streptococcus mutans. This bacterium produces an acid that erodes the teeth’ enamel – the hard outer surface of the teeth. Thereby the activities of the catechins protect the oral cavity and prevent tooth decay (7).
It may also reduce the activities of odor-causing bacteria, thereby preventing bad breath (8).
13. Reduction of Skin Pores
Frozen Jasmine green tea may reduce skin pores. You may brew the jasmine green leaves or bags and freeze the fresh tea into ice cubes. The ice cubes may be used directly on the skin. It minimizes skin pores and rids the pores of bacteria.
14. Improves or Boosts Brain Function
Jasmine green tea contains caffeine. The caffeine content potency depends on how long the jasmine blossoms steeped in the tea and what type of green tea is used in making the jasmine green tea. Caffeine enhances brain activity and stimulates the nervous system; it also triggers the release of mood-enhancing stimulators dopamine and serotonin (9). Caffeine does this by acting on the inhibitory neurotransmitter – Adenosine. Adenosine delivers signals between the brain and body and helps keep the body relaxed (10). These mechanism actions of caffeine trigger the brain to be on alert while improving and energizing memory activities.
15. Protection against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Diseases
The powerful polyphenol components of jasmine green tea may lower the possible risks of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The factors that increase the progression of both disorders are inflammation and damages from free radicals. And this is a result of misfolded and clumped proteins in the brain (11). The anti-inflammatory properties of antioxidant EGCG prevent this protein activity, suppress every form of inflammation, and neutralize the free radicals’ damages (12).
16. Reduce the Risk of Possible Type 2 Diabetes
When the body loses the ability to carry out insulin functions, there is a high risk of Type 2 diabetes disease. The hormone insulin performs the body function of transporting sugar from the blood to the designated cells. EGCG may improve insulin activities, helping the body effectively use the insulin, resulting in lowered blood sugar levels (13).
17. Reduce the Risks of Certain Cancers
The antioxidant properties of jasmine green tea help fight the damages from free radicals. However, these free radicals may cause cancer growth. Polyphenols act by reducing cancer tumor size, suppressing cancer cell growth, and triggering cancer cell death (14). This may reduce the risks of the cancer types – breast and prostate cancer (15).
18. Relief from Sunburn
Cold jasmine green tea stored in the fridge may be splashed on the face after exposure to sunburn for immediate relief.
How to brew your Jasmine green tea?
The jasmine green tea is readily available at your nearest local health food store or online store. It has a subtly sweet taste, great fragrance and can be easily integrated into favorite meals. To prepare a teacup.
- Add your tea bag or tea leaves to a cup.
- Add hot water; using boiled water may release more bitterness and ruin the tea’s delicate flavor. It is recommended to use hot water – just below boiling point. About 175 to 190 degrees.
- Let the tea steep for seven to ten minutes while covered.
- Strain the tea bag or leaves. You may steep the tea bag multiple times; this will depend on the potency of the quality.
- Serve tea as desired; you may take it as plain tea or addition of milk and sugar.
Side Effects of Jasmine Green tea
Jasmine is relatively healthy with very minimal side effect possibilities. Some of which includes
Caffeine Effect
The caffeine content may be too much for certain people, especially when consumed in large quantities. And this may expose them to symptoms such as restlessness, headaches, shakiness, jitters, anxiety, and stomach issues (16).
Miscarriage Risk
This may be a result of the caffeine content. Pregnant women should consult with their doctors before taking jasmine green tea.
Risks of Iron Deficiency Anemia
The catechins component of jasmine green tea may reduce the body’s ability to quickly metabolize and absorb iron from food sources (17). Some categories of people may be more prone to this, including pregnant women, people on dietary restrictions, and young children.
This may be controlled by ensuring jasmine green tea is taken in between meals instead of alongside meals. You may also wait an hour after a meal before taking the tea.
Summary
Jasmine green tea is a highly recommended healthy tea, made from green tea leaves and jasmine blossoms. The tea is available at local health food stores and is either sold as jasmine green tea leaves or jasmine green tea bags. The tea has high concentrations of polyphenols that have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties have offered impressive benefits to the health and beauty industry. Some of these health benefits include reduced risk of heart diseases, protection against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, weight loss, improved oral health, a boost of brain functions, and so on. The beauty benefits include improvement of skin appearance, reduces skin pores, and relief from sunburn. The jasmine green tea has a subtly sweet taste and refreshing aroma, so you may take it as desired.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Jasmine green tea contain caffeine?
Yes, jasmine green tea contains caffeine. The caffeine content is a result of the base green tea leaves component. However, specific decaffeinated jasmine green tea products are sold; you may ask specifically for it at the store.
Can you take jasmine green tea when pregnant?
The caffeine content of the jasmine green tea, no matter how minute, may pose a threat to the pregnancy. Kindly consult with your doctor before taking the tea.
References –
- “Jasmine” – en.wikipedia.org
- “Jasmine Tea: Are There Health Benefits?” – webmd.com
- “Lipoprotein oxidation in cardiovascular disease: chief culprit or innocent bystander?” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “12 amazing benefits of jasmine green tea – the elixir of health” -hackspirit.com
- “9 Reasons Why Jasmine Tea Is Good for You” – healthline.com
- “Jasmine Green Tea: How It’s Made, Health Benefits, and How to Brew” – senchateabar.com
- “Inhibitory activity of a green and black tea blend on Streptococcus mutans” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Effect of green tea on volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Caffeine and the central nervous system: mechanisms of action, biochemical, metabolic and psychostimulant effects” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Caffeine: Cognitive and Physical Performance Enhancer or Psychoactive Drug?“
- “Efficient Inhibition of Protein Aggregation, Disintegration of Aggregates, and Lowering of Cytotoxicity by Green Tea Polyphenol-Based Self-Assembled Polymer Nanoparticles” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “The role of free radicals in the aging brain and Parkinson’s Disease: convergence and parallelism“
- “Effect of green tea on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials“- pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Tea Polyphenols and Their Roles in Cancer Prevention and Chemotherapy” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Green tea and the risk of prostate cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Caffeine” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Iron deficiency anemia due to excessive green tea drinking” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
