Mankind has been enjoying herbal teas since the discovery of fire, and once the thirst for knowledge developed and inquisitive minds began searching for cures to various maladies, the very same teas began being used as remedies. Relying heavily on various kinds of steeped tisanes, early civilizations used these herbal remedies as cures for all sorts of ailments.
Even though modern science and pharmaceuticals have supplanted many traditional herbal remedies including teas, white tea is gaining in popularity as science is proving that it does have many health benefits. While white tea may not be the holy grail in the cure for cancer, it does indeed, do the body good.
What is White Tea?
White tea originally comes from a province in China called Fujian, and while the tea leaves can come from a variety of tea plants and are available in a variety of grades, the best white tea is called Silver Needle and is harvested only between March 15 and April 10, and only then if the weather conditions are dry.
White tea is unlike black tea in that the buds and leaves are left uncured and unoxidized. The leaves are also harvested when they are younger, and the leaves and buds are left whole to be categorized as the highest grade.
How Healthy is White Tea?
Due to the fact that white tea is less processed than black, its levels of gallic acid, theobromine and catechin are all higher and more concentrated. Commonly known as a flavonoid, catechin is also found in chocolate and cocoa. These flavonoids have been thoroughly studied and have been found to reduce the risks of cancer, strokes, heart failure and diabetes.
While theobromine has been studied less than catechin, it is also a very important health component to white tea. With such health benefits as increasing mood through the increased release of seartonin, lowering blood pressure and it is also being used as a herbal replacement for codeine when used as a cough suppressant.
Gallic acid is an important antioxidant which acts to protect our bodies on a cellular level. Remarkably, gallic acid also has anti-fungal and anti-viral properties. This component of white tea is being studied as a tool to use in the fight against cancer, and is actively being studied as a treatment for diabetes.
Other Benefits
Teas in general are being lauded for having beneficial properties that aid in regulating metabolism and blood sugars, lowering cholesterol, helping maintain proper hydration and serving to aid in stress relief and relaxation. White teas are the best choice when consuming tea for its health benefits.
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