Why You Should Try Lavender Oolong– Backed by Science
We all need something fresh every now and then. A new song, a walk in the park, or maybe a quick shower can really help freshen things up. How about a cup of tea? A single cup of Lavender Oolong can do wonders for your health and lift your spirits at the same time. But what are these health benefits that we are talking about? That’s what we will find out in this blog.
Lavender Oolong is a culmination of fresh lavender flowers and oolong tea leaves. Mainly aimed at promoting cardiovascular health, it also helps with weight management, sleep disorders and much more– keep reading to find out!
What is Oolong Tea?
Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea. Just like green tea or black tea, oolong tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The main difference is the method of processing. Oolong tea is partially oxidized: less than black tea but more than green tea. This partial oxidation is the reason for oolong tea’s characteristic taste and colour. Due to the partial oxidisation, oolong tea has the best of both worlds.
Now that you know about oolong tea, let’s dive deeper into the health benefits it offers. (You can’t make Lavender Oolong without Oolong tea!)
Oolong Tea May Help in Managing your Weight
A natural way to incorporate healthy measures into your diet is to consume tea. Of course, a balanced diet and regular exercise are a must. A lot of studies suggest that tea can play a crucial role in managing body weight.
Oolong tea is a traditional semi-oxidized Chinese tea. It is different when it comes to taste and aroma, but the benefits are pretty similar to regular tea.
In a study done on 12 men, it was found that compared to water, those who drank tea had more energy in general. The energy expenditure of the men who were given full-strength tea was increased by 2.9%.
May Reduce the Risk of Cancer
One of the most deadly diseases on the face of the earth, cancer has no guaranteed way to be cured. It can only be prevented through a healthy lifestyle, and treatment is also very risky with very low chances of survival.
The consumption of most types of teas provides properties that drastically affect our lives. Oolong tea has chemopreventive properties that may help keep this disease at bay.
In a study done on black tea extracts, it was found to exhibit anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative, and anti-neoplastic activities. These activities indicate the potential for the prevention of cancer in humans as well.
Oolong Tea May Prevent Heart Disease
Heart diseases are very common these days. People who are overweight have a higher risk of heart failure. The New Delhi Birth Cohort has revealed in a PubMed research, that “The annual number of deaths from CVD (cardiovascular disease) in India is projected to rise from 2.26 million (1990) to 4.77 million (2020)”.
A study done on 12 men reported that consumption of tea helped them exhibit increasing energy expenditure and fat oxidation. More energy expenditure means less accumulation of lipid, which can decrease the incidence of heart disease.
Another study revealed that 600 out of 1507 subjects who were regular tea drinkers, had a 46% decreased risk of developing hypertension.
Oolong Tea Acts as an Antioxidant
Oxidative stress is a serious problem that can pave the way for chronic diseases like heart conditions. It is caused by the damage done by free radicals in our bodies. Antioxidants are compounds that reduce or prevent the chance of oxidative stress and hence they are extremely important for us.
Studies reveal that oolong tea shows antioxidant activity between 233 and 532 µmol/g, which is pretty significant. The researchers noticed a modest increase in human plasma antioxidant capacity upon oolong tea consumption.
The compounds responsible for this are Theasinensins, A–E/alpha-tocopherol, and Theasinensins A–E. They decrease lipid peroxidation, which is a good thing against free radical damage.
Oolong Tea is Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is a process that starts in our bodies once an injury takes place. It can lead to heat, pain, redness, swelling as our body tries to protect itself. But long-term inflammation, lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years, is a bad thing.
Research suggests that ethanol extract of oolong tea shows pro-angiogenic activity mediating protective effects on inflammation.
Oolong reduces plasma MCP-1, which is another indication of its anti-inflammatory properties. Other components such as flavonoids such as cate-chins, theaflavins, and theasinensins also contribute to its anti-inflammatory nature.
Oolong Tea is also Anti-Diabetic
Diabetes can be very difficult to live with. There is no way to cure it, therefore preventing it is our only option. One way to do this is by incorporating tea into our diets.
Oolong tea may help reduce the risk of diabetes. In a study done on diabetic rats, Oolong tea reduced plasma glucose from 229 to 162.2 mg/dL. Theasinensins play a major role in the anti-diabetic property of Oolong tea. Theasinensins A has shown antihyperglycemic responses in diabetic mice.
Lavender Flowers
Lavender Reduces Depression & Stress
With their striking beautiful and unique colour, lavender flowers are not just for show.
Lavender has had a vast culinary history as well, traditionally in Spanish and British cuisines. This is because it possesses a lot of health benefits that are often looked over.
According to a study, researchers used lavender aromatherapy on human test subjects. The results indicated that aromatherapy helped the subjects improve their moods and help reduce stress to a certain degree.
Lavender Helps Reduce Insomnia
Lavender acts as an excellent natural remedy to treat insomnia. The smell of this oil can reduce sleep disturbance and improve overall well-being in older patients.
A study revealed that lavender oil has the potential to show a significant beneficial influence on the quality and duration of sleep. The researchers also observed improved quality of daytime wakefulness and more sustained sleep at night.
Reduces Anxiety
Used predominantly in aromatherapy or massage, lavender oil offers another health benefit. The sweet fragrance of this beautiful flower during aromatherapy can greatly reduce anxiety and make you calm and collected. One of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of lavender is to drink it in the form of a beverage, such as lavender tea. According to research, lavender oil demonstrates the ability to improve mood and relieve anxiety.
Lavender is Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is a process that starts in our bodies once an injury takes place. It can lead to heat, pain, redness, swelling as our body tries to protect itself. But long-term inflammation, lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years, is a bad thing.
Various studies show that the essential oils present in lavender have anti-inflammatory properties. Lavender shows anti-inflammatory properties by both topical treatment and oral ingestion.
Therefore, it can be safe to consume in the form of a meal or a beverage. The best way to consume lavender is by consuming a perfect concoction of freshly brewed tea.
Fresh and Energizing
The traditional Chinese tea with a soft twist– Lavender Oolong will make you feel better for sure. The floral everlasting taste comes with all these benefits as a bonus! After reading all this, I’m sure you might wanna try it out yourself.
You can order a pack of Lavender Oolong right at your doorstep. Buy a trial pack first, or go directly for the 30-day pack. If you liked Lavender Oolong, make sure you check out the rest of our Heart Wellness Teas. You might be interested in teas such as Rooibos Tea. Check out our other blogs such as 7 reasons to try Rooibos and Spice It Up With Spicy Oolong.