Though most teas are made from only the leaves of herbs, jasmine green tea is different. It is made by adding the jasmine flower to the tea. Cultivated widely for its beautiful flowers, jasmine is any of more than 200 species with fragrant white, yellow or red flowers.

Though brought to China from Persia sometime in the third century AD, the jasmine plant never became popular in China until about 1000 AD. Popular versions of jasmine are Xiang Pian, Dragon Phoenix Pearl, and Mo Li Hua Cha. This last one is possibly the most popular scented tea in the world. Yin Hao is considered the finest jasmine tea.

Jasmine green tea is made by starting with a Chinese green tea for a base. Some will use pouchong/oolong or black tea but green is more common. The tea leaves are plucked and processed in April and May and then kept dry until the jasmine flowers bloom in August and September.

The jasmine flowers are gathered when they are fully open. This means harvesting them at midnight or early in the morning. The flowers are then placed with the tea so that the scent of the flower can be absorbed. After four hours, the flowers are removed. During a month, this process is repeated before the tea is ready for sale. Low grade tea has been scented two or three times during this month. High grade tea has been scented seven times.

Most green teas with jasmine contain a significant amount of polyphenols, plant-based substances that have proven to have anticancer, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. This helps prevent certain cancers and slows aging by eliminating free radicals. Jasmine is good for diabetes prevention and reducing high blood pressure. It is believed to prevent strokes, heart attacks, thrombosis, and arterial sclerosis.

Other jasmine tea health benefits include the ability to reduce the risk of blood clot, prevent allergy and flu, reduce blood sugar, keep fluid balance, boost the immune system and provide oral care and fluoride that helps protect against cavities and prevent tooth decay. One of the jasmine tea health benefits is to improve intestine conditions by blocking development and growth of bad bacteria and strengthening good bacteria.

In addition, jasmine tea fights food poisoning, including cholera, dysentery, and piccoli causing gastric ulcers. Gargling with jasmine green tea is believed to be one of the most effective ways to protect oneself from influenza, as the tea performs anti-viral functions.

Jasmine is also known as an effective anti-depressant, helping with problems such as post-natal depression and menopause problems. It has also been used to help in childbirth and milk production. Jasmine tea can help relieve chronic back pain, muscle and joint pain, and is even considered a romantic enhancer. One wonders if the woman in Proverbs 7 decked her bed with jasmine flowers.

Try using jasmine green tea to lose weight. In one three month study, people who consumed tea with jasmine green tea extract lost more fat than those who consumed regular oolong tea. Perhaps the catechins in the jasmine trigger weight loss by decreasing body fat and by stimulating the body to burn calories.

The tea is easy to make. Just add a half teaspoon of the jasmine mix to a cup of nearly boiling water and allow it to steep two or three times for two minutes. Then drink at least four cups of this a day. A good quality jasmine green tea will work well with fruit and flower salads, or with desserts made with flowers, or soft cheeses with pressed flowers. Jasmine green tea is also served with strongly flavored foods, curries, chicken and fish, and vegetarian dishes, or served alone.

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