The most wholesome tea is White Tea. Its leaves are plucked very young, before they have completely opened. As a matter of fact the most cherished White Tea consists of unopened buds. It is called Bai Hao Yin Zhen or Silver Needle, which is descriptive of the unopened buds. One of two other varieties is White Pony, it includes the bud and one infant leaf. The second is Longevity Eyebrow which has two leaves along with the bud.
White tea as all true teas (White, Black, Green and Oolong) comes from the Camellia Sinensis (tea) plant. Green tea leaves are more developed or adult leaves and Black Tea leaves are fully matured. White tea is more wholesome for two reasons. One it contains anti-oxidants which are extremely healthy for us. Secondly oxidation of the White tea leaves is immediately halted by steaming them often right in the field. This simple but immediate processing allows the anti-oxidants to remain intact. The other teas also contain anti-oxidants, but their methods of process differ and the amount of anti-oxidants diminishes with the processing. Green tea is pan fried and then dried. Black tea is allowed to ferment and Oolong tea is partially fermented. Green Tea retains a significant amount of anti-oxidants, much more than Black Tea, but latest research declares that White Tea outperforms Green Tea 2:1. The caffeine level is also lowest in White Tea.
Anti-oxidants do many wonderful things in our body. They help to eliminate free-radicals from our cells. Free-radicals do damage to our cell walls and alter our DNA. These alterations are what trigger the mechanism that causes many forms of cancer to begin. Anti-oxidants fight cancer on two other levels as well. Apoptosis is the natural process that cells go through in order to die off and make room for new cells. Cancer cells do not follow this natural process. Anti-oxidants target cancer cells and stimulate Apoptosis in them without accelerating it in health cells. Another characteristic of cancer cells is that they rapidly reproduce and produce tumors. Research shows that tea consumption slows and in some cases even reverses tumor growth and cancer reproduction.
You would think that alone would be enough of a reason for everyone to include White Tea into their daily regimen.
White tea and Green Tea also include many more heath benefits. Tea also stimulates the body to increase the production of interferon. Interferon is a powerful anti-viral. It also improves the functioning of the liver and reduces liver inflammation. This is wonderful news for people with liver and viral issues. Tea consumption also improves the cardio vascular system by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, while enhancing the performance of arteries.
Other health benefits associated with tea drinking include…
- Reduces blood sugar
- Antiviral
- Anti Fungal
- Anti Bacterial, Reduces the growth of staphylococcus and streptococcus, pneumonia and dental caries
- Treats boils, stomach ulcers sore throats
- Increases elasticity and decreases breakdown of skin cells
So what are you waiting for? Two cups of White tea (or a little more Green Tea) only costs a few cents a day there are some wonderful varieties to choose from. In the sidebar there is a link to a quality tea vendor. While this is all fresh in your mind, you should order some now.
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