China Healthy Tea

Kuding tea (苦丁茶) is a particularly bitter-tasting Chinese tisane which due to their similarities in appearance is derived from several plant species. Two most common plants used to make Ku Ding tea, being the wax tree species Ligustrum robustum and the holly species Ilex kudingcha plant, the former being more commonly grown in Sichuan and Japan while the latter is most commonly grown and used in the rest of China.

One of the best known properties of this tea is its purported ability to lower blood pressure. It is believed to do this by increasing healthy circulation throughout the body. This effect may also help to bring down inflammation in various parts of the body.
This type of tea is also considered to be an effective weight loss aid. Fans of the drink tout it as an extremely effective weight loss treatment. Many believe that it can help to both decrease one’s body weight and to maintain a healthy weight once it has been achieved. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim, however, and some believe that the tea only eliminates water weight rather than helping one to reduce actual body fat.
Some individuals may drink Kuding tea to treat a cold or flu as well. It is said to assist in clearing mucous and fluid from the head and sinuses. This tea contains many antioxidants, which can help cleanse and detoxify the body.
As is the case with many teas, Kuding tea contains caffeine. This is one of the few drawbacks to the beverage, as those who do not tolerate caffeine well will probably be unhappy with the tea. Aside from the bitter taste, this tea has no other adverse side effects.

The Kuding tree, Ilex kuding or Ilex latifolia, is a large and nowadays rare tropical tree grown in the Chinese provinces Hainan and Yunnan. Its leaves are used for tea much like the Puer tea leaves.
The tea, which has a bitter-sweet taste, has long been associated with the traditional Chinese medicinal properties. It's listed as valuable Chinese medicine as early as the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties for its beneficial effects to eyes, heart, brain, and stomach. 
Even today, people usually drink the tea to calm fidgets and alleviate thirst, especially when one is suffering from a disease that causes fever or severe diarrhea. It's also said to invigorate digestion and improve mental focus and memory.
These leaves come from the Wuzhishan Mountains of Hainan Island. One spine leaves is enough for one large can of tea. Use only the first and second refilling of boiling water as later refillings are getting very bitter. A truly rare and precious tea!

Gynostemma pentaphyllum, also called jiaogulan is an herbaceous vine of the family Cucurbitaceae (cucumber or gourd family) indigenous to the southern reaches of China, Vietnam, southern Korea and Japan. Jiaogulan is best known as an herbal medicine reputed to have powerful antioxidant and adaptogenic effects that increase longevity.

The people living in the Guizhou Province affectionately call Jiaogulan the tea of immortality, because it is said that those that drank it (several times a day) – lived to an extremely old age and still had radiant skin and health.

Benefits of Jiaogulan
In 1976 a Japanese researcher, looking for a sugar alternative, studied a perennial weed known for its sweetness. He discovered an herb with many qualities similar to ginseng, even though unrelated as a plant. This event sparked years of scientific research on jiaogulan, praised in China as xiancao, the herb of immortality, revealing it to be a powerful adaptogenic and antioxidant herb with many health-giving properties.
Cholesterol:Scientific studies have confirmed jiaogulan's ability to assist the regulation of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL (bad cholesterol), and HDL (good cholesterol, which helps to metabolize cholesterol from the arteries).
Blood Pressure:Jiaogulan has been widely reported to be effective in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Although the exact mechanism is still being researched, studies have shown that jiaogulan improves the metabolism of the heart directly 2 as well as enhances the release of nitric oxide in the body, which helps to relax the coronary blood vessels.
Digestion:While jiaogulan is great for regulating cholesterol, it also assists a good weight loss program, by improving and strengthening digestion. At the same time, it helps an underweight person by assisting the absorption of nutrients. This regulatory effect on bodily functions is the hallmark of an Adaptogen.
Strength and Endurance:The results of human studies confirm that jiaogulan can enhance the contractility of the heart muscle and heart pumping function. Other studies have shown that the saponins in jiaogulan increase strength and endurance in the body. Considering these findings overall, jiaogulan becomes the perfect herb for anyone who wants to improve his competitive edge in any field of athletic performance.
Immunity:Jiaogulan has also demonstrated an ability to support the immune system when under the siege of various destructive agents.6,7 Jiaogulan has also shown its effectiveness, in clinical research studies, as a potent immunomodulator. It increases the production of Lymphocytes, Phagocytes,
Adaptogenic Properties:Jiaogulan has a biphasic effect on brain functions, energizing or calming the system depending upon need, as well as on the regulation of hormonal functions in both men and women. The healthy maintenance of these physiological actions plays a major role in the body's ability to cope with stress.
Antioxidant Properties:The results of many scientific studies show that jiaogulan's powerful antioxidant quality protects against free radical damage.

The Gingko tree is popularly known as long life tree, and it is one of the oldest plant in the world.
It has always been viewed as the living fossil on the earth. which is honored as the national tree of China.
Scientific test shows gingko leaf can scavenge the free radical, prevent the platelet aggregation and thrombosis, dilate the cardio-cerebrovascuolar, improve the microcirculation, elevate the red blood cell activity of superoxide disnutase (SOD), and lower the production of lipid peroxidation. It is most suitable for cases of mental fatigue and over-intensified mental activity, hyperlipidemia and convalescent cardio-cerebrovascuolar diseases etc. meanwhile it also serves as supplementary administration for people in asthenia constitution or just recovered after malady with low immunity.

Gingko tea has a history of 1000 years in China. It was found in Hunan province and was recorded in the book Qi Min Yao Shu(齐民要术）.This book detailed the cooking methods and medicinal properties of Gingko tea. From Yuan dynasty onwards, there was an abundance of records and book on this type of tea.
Since the early days, it was enjoyed by the royal household of China. The most recent being Cixi Empress dowager(慈禧太后） who loved this sort of tea. She used it for preserving the youth of her skin.

Gingko tea contains many vitamins, minerals and acids. Most importantly it has vitamins A E and B.
In Chinese medicine, it is good for elderly people, helps infants in their intellectual capacities, invigorates the body. Its vitamin complex B17 has the effect of resisting cancer and increasing one's immunity.
According to American scholars. this tea has low cholesterol and can lower blood pressure. It can smoothen the flow of blood circiulation. It can over time increase one's cranal capacity, vitality, keep the skin youngish looking.
This tea tastes good, smells fragrant and can be long-term taken without any side effects.