Zhi Health Dictionary

Keemun tea is a popular Chinese black tea produced in Qimen County in the Anhui Province of China. It is classified as being a top quality black tea around the globe, especially in the British market whereKeemun tea is considered a delicacy. The tea gained popularity very quickly in England where it has become an important ingredient in English Breakfast tea blends. Keemun tea comes from a sub-variety of the Chinese tea plant Camellia Sinensis, named Zhu-ye-zhing which grows in a mountainous area covered by forest in Anhui Province. In that area, the lack of sun, high humidity and low temperature allow the growth of perfect thin black tea leaves which are withered, rubbed, twirled and then baked dry. There are many Keemun tea varieties such as:

• Keemun Gongfu or Congou which has thin, dark and tight shaped leaves.
• Keemun Mao Feng which has slightly twisted leaf buds and a smoother flavor. For a proper taste, it is recommended to brew a smaller quantity of this type of tea and let it steep for 7 minutes.
• Keemun Xin Ya - a type of tea with a less bitter taste.
• Keemun Hao Ya

Keemun Tea brewing If it is properly brewed, you will obtain a clear red color cup of Keemun tea with a fruity, exotic and floral (but not as floral as Darjeeling tea ) aroma. To get a perfect cup of tea, add 1-2 teaspoons of tea leaves per 8 oz cup into the teapot. Boil the water, pour it over the tea leaves and let it steep between 2 - 3 minutes. In China, people drink Keemun tea without any kind of sweetener or milk. Keemun tea benefits Keemun tea has many benefits even though it does not contain as many antioxidants as green or white tea. The caffeine in the Keemun tea helps enhancing your memory and gives you energy during the day. Since this tea is a type of black tea, it has many benefits for the human body:

• Accelerates your metabolism and allows you to burn fat much easier and faster. With a balanced diet and regular exercise,Keemun tea is a strong allied in the process of weight loss.
• Keemun tea can be a good alternative for coffee. The caffeine in the black tea will give you the energy that you need in the morning and will make you feel full of energy all day long.
• Improves your digestion by dissolving the excess acidity.
• Inhibits the growth of cancer cells and the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Keemun tea side effects Being a black tea, Keemun tea has a significant amount of caffeine which can cause anxiety, insomnia or irritability if you drink it before bed. Pregnant women are not advised to drink black tea during the pregnancy since it has been related to spontaneous abortions and birth defects. Also, if you are breastfeeding you should consider reducing the amount of black tea. People who suffer from anemia are strongly recommended not to drink Keemun tea since it can cause dizziness, blurred vision or headaches. It is often said that Keemun tea has an orchid fragrance that leaves a lasting impression in people`s memory.  It has a reputation for being a truly exquisite tea with its fruity and wine-like flavor that, combined with the wonderful health benefits, make the tea drinking a delightful experience.... keemun tea - the black tea with an orchid fragrance

Levisticum officinalis, Koch. German: Agyptischer Ku?mmel. French: Ammi. Italian: Sisone. Arabian: Amus. Indian: Ajwain. Malayan: Homama Azamoda. Iranian: Zhinyan. Parts used: root, rhizome.

Constituents: coumarins, butyric acid, volatile oil.

Action: antibiotic (mild), diaphoretic, expectorant, anti-catarrhal, emmenagogue, carminative, diuretic (mild), sedative, antispasmodic.

Uses: flatulent dyspepsia, anorexia, rheumatism, gout, absent or painful menses, mild feverishness in children, renal dropsy (mild), cystitis.

Locally: as a gargle for tonsillitis; mouth wash for mouth ulcers BHP (1983).

Combinations. With Agrimony for indigestion. With Buchu for renal dropsy. With Raspberry leaves for menstrual disorders. Usually combined with other diuretics.

Preparations: Average dose: half-2g. Thrice daily.

Decoction. Half-1 teaspoon to each cup water gently simmered 15 minutes. Dose: one-third-1 cup.

Liquid Extract: 5-30 drops in water.

Oil used in aromatherapy and perfumes.

LOZENGE. A compressed tablet for sucking in the mouth for inflammatory conditions of throat, mouth and chest. Usually has a base of sugar, a demulcent (Comfrey, Marshmallow root, Slippery Elm, Tolu, or Balm of Gilead), together with a binder, such as gum acacia or gum tragacanth. Recipe for simple lozenge: half an ounce (15g) powdered herb; half an ounce sugar; powdered gum 1 teaspoon (3g). Pure spring water – a sufficiency. Mix into a paste, thin-out the mass and press out lozenges with small gauge mould and dry. ... lovage