Reduce Stress With Puerh Tea

Reduce Stress with Puerh Tea

Just a little bit of research will reveal quite a number of health benefits to be achieved from Puerh tea. This tea is cultivated in the Yunnan province of China. It comes from the Camellia Sinensis, the common tea plant, and is aged and fermented.

Puerh tea has an enjoyable smooth flavor and is available in ripened (shou) black and raw (sheng), usually green, varieties. It does contain some caffeine naturally, and when ripened or aged its appearance is darker than many other black teas. This also gives it a more full-bodied aroma and flavor. One of the most unique things about this tea is that its flavor improves with time.

How Puerh Tea Helps Reduce Stress

Puerh tea contains some caffeine, but unlike coffee, it’s not likely to make you jittery or wired. One of its many health benefits is helping reduce stress. The fermented tea from China contains anti-inflammatory properties that help with relaxation especially when minor aches and pains are present. Puerh tea also contains gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA which helps to reduce anxiety and stress. Another way it helps reduce stress levels is by protecting the nervous system. As a result, it also helps regulate healthy sleep cycles which can help decrease stress and anxiety. The benefits Puerh tea provides for the Central Nervous System are discussed in one study completed by the US National Library of Medicine.

How to Brew and Drink Puerh Tea

Puerh tea holds a special place in the Chinese tea family. Ripened (shou) variety is fermented via a particular process involving high humidity and high temperature. The aroma is earthy and calming. Most people enjoy a cup following a meal. Most individuals can safely consume up to three cups of Puerh tea each day. However, this amount may be lower for those who drink other caffeinated beverages.

Brewing a cup of Puerh tea is slightly different than most other teas. There is some discussion on the benefits of rinsing, but rinsing the tea once before brewing is a common practice. Place the loose leaves or the tea cake into a teapot and cover it with boiling water. This hot water should just barely cover the tea. Then, drain off the water.  This is the way to “rinse” the tea in order to activate the leaves, and create a high-quality cup of tea.

There are several traditional ways to brew pu erh tea, but the simplest way to do it is to fill the teapot with boiling water and let the tea steep for at least two minutes. You may choose to let it steep for longer or shorter times depending on your taste preference. Once it has completed steeping, pour the tea into teacups, and enjoy!

Are there any side effects?

If there are any side effects, they could come from the caffeine content. Depending on how strong of a brew you choose, a cup of puerh tea can contain between 30 and 100mg of caffeine. For most people, up to 400mg of caffeine per day is tolerable. However, if you are sensitive to caffeine, or consume too much in one day you may experience side effects including:

•       Dizziness
•       Shakiness
•       Insomnia
•       Heart palpitations
•       Dehydration
•       Excessive urination
•       Diarrhea

Please note that fermented foods can also have an effect on gut bacteria. Puerh tea can affect digestion and, in rare cases, cause some digestive upset.

Besides reducing stress, Puerh tea provides a whole host of other health benefits. So pour a cup of tea, relax, and let it help you let go of the stress of the day.