Caffeine can be really damaging to sleep quality, and we need sleep to help rejuvenate the body. In short, lack of sleep makes you age quicker.
Drinking green tea in the late afternoon/early evening is also problematic because of its high caffeine content, again affecting sleep.
The thing is, a lot of people who sleep badly ditch coffee and normal breakfast tea for green tea, without realising that green tea contains caffeine, even though it is extremely good for your body in a number of ways, primarily because of its anti-oxidant properties.
The good news is that I have a tea for you that is every bit as healthy as green tea, and some more, yet without the caffeine content.
Enter, the Tea of Immortality
To cut a long story short, I was browsing a quaint little market in Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand), when I came across a tea stall. I clapped eyes on a sign that said “the tea of immortality”. Curious, I proceeded to speak with the stall owner. He explained the history and wonders of Jiaogulan tea – which I verified on wikipedia – and the important fact that it contained zero caffeine.
The Magic of Jiaogulan Tea
Jiaogulan has been used as a natural medicine in China for centuries. It's known for its ability to regulate blood pressure, lower cholesterol, build immunity, delay the aging process and prevent cells from becoming cancerous, thus the “tea of immortality” tag.
Research studies in China have shown that Jiaogulan (Jiao Gu Lan) decreases cholesterol by improving the liver's ability to send sugar and carbohydrates to the muscles for conversion to energy, instead of turning the sugar into triglycerides, which the body stores as fat. In short, this tea is pretty darn amazing!
At first I must say I was disappointed. I rushed home after getting my hands on a big jar, but without realising put way too much in and squinted at the bitter taste.
The second time around I went with a sprinkle, and by my third cup I was enjoying the taste of a great tea – quite similar to green tea – without a hint of caffeine.
What is Jiaogulan Tea & Where Does It Come From?
A herbaceous vine of the cucurbitaceae (cucumber family) indigenous to the southern parts of China, Korea and Japan, Jiaogulan tea is traditionally consumed by the people of Guizhou province in China. The Guizhou people have a history of long life , which is where the immortality label originally descended from.
Jiaogulan tea is the perfect tea for bad sleepers. Even with no caffeine, it boosts energy when you're tired, combats aging, combats fat storage, and builds immunity against colds and viruses, which are easily picked up when you've been sleeping badly.
So, if you like, have a green tea in the morning and then go Jiaogulan in the afternoon and evening.
If you buy some Jiaogulan, make sure you get quality grade loose leaves. Since being home I've been buying this brand, which is good value on 100g+.
