Pu-erh tea health

Pu-erh tea has a special place in human health

Pu-erh tea originated in the Yunnan province of south-west China and has been consumed for more than 1000 years. Teas are known for their health benefits. The evidence of Pu-erh tea’s benefits is most prominent by being acknowledged as part of the essential diet for the Tibetans.

Due to the high altitude of the Tibet plateau, the lack of vegetation and the nomad’s life style, the staple diet of the Tibetans is large composed by animal meat and dairy. The Tibetans are believed to have relied heavily on teas, such as the Pu-erh teas imported from Yunnan to provide certain essential nutrients that are lack in their diet for their health and well being. There is a known statement in Tibet: tea is blood, tea is flesh and tea is life.

Special health benefits of Pu-erh tea

Pu-erh tea is made of the same plant (Camellia Sinesis) but a special species (Assamica) of the tea plants. It is rich in anti-oxidants and has the health benefits of all other teas: green tea benefits. In addition Pu-erh tea is believed to be:

• Potent in weight reduction
• Specially beneficial to the digestive system (according to the Chinese medicine): reducing fat absorption and constipation, supportive to the stomach and spleen etc.
• Potent in reducing blood cholesterol level, therefore blood pressure and the risk of cardio-vascular disease
• Especially suitable for summer time: preventive of heat stroke, detox, reducing the fat absorption and water retention etc.

The research on the health benefits of tea consumption, especially those conditions that are life style related, continues and many more results will be reported. Remember however tea is beverage first. So enjoy a cup of tea as part of your life style and the health by-products will come naturally.