Herbal Extract

Methoxsalen USP Extract is 9-Methoxy-7H-furo[3,2-g][1]benzopyran-7-one. The Methoxsalen USP is obtained from the seed of Ammi majus and belongs to the family of Umbelliferae. The company provide the best grade Methoxsalen USP to the clients.

Methoxsalen USP Extract is a naturally occurring photoactive chemical found in the seeds of the Ammi majus (Umbelliferae) plant and in the roots of Heracleum candicans. It belongs to a group of compounds known as psoralens or furocoumarins.

Methoxsalen USP Extract is prescribed for the treatment of vitiligo, along with regulated quantities of ultra-violet light or even sunlight. The drug is known to be a psoralen, which is combined with light therapy to treat damaged skin.

The drug should not be used if you are allergic to any component present in it. Individuals who have health problems like melanoma and sensitivity to sunlight should also avoid this treatment. Ask your doctor for more information about how the treatment works, before you decide to undergo it. Also, provide him with a detailed medical history and a list of medicines that you are currently on.

Methoxsalen USP also increases the possibilities of developing cancer of the skin, thus details of its risks and benefits should be thoroughly considered with your medical professional before opting for such a treatment.

Jati Herbal is a well-known for Manufacturer, Exporter & Supplier of Methoxsalen USP Extract in Indonesia.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Methoxsalen
• Redness of skin
• Itching
• Nausea
• Trouble sleeping
• Darkening of skin
• Low blood pressure
• Blistering and peeling of skin
• Swelling in the arms or legs

Uses of Methoxsalen

What is it prescribed for?

• Vitiligo:

This medicine is used for the treatment of vitiligo, a skin condition characterized by loss of skin color in patches.

• Psoriasis:

This medicine is used for the treatment of psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by excessive scaling, dryness, rashes, and itching of the skin.

• Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma:

This medicine is used to treat cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, a rare type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells and attacks the skin.
Information given here is based on the salt and content of the Medicine. The effect and uses of medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Dermatologist before using this medicine.

7 Proven Health Benefits of Curcumin

1. Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound

Inflammation is incredibly important. It helps your body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage. Without inflammation, pathogens like bacteria could easily take over your body and kill you. Although acute, short-term inflammation is beneficial, it can become a major problem when it becomes chronic and inappropriately attacks your body’s own tissues. Scientists now believe that chronic, low-level inflammation plays a major role in almost every chronic, Western disease. This includes heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and various degenerative conditions. Therefore, anything that can help fight chronic inflammation is of potential importance in preventing and even treating these diseases. Curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory. In fact, it’s so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects. It blocks NF-kB, a molecule that travels into the nuclei of your cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. NF-kB is believed to play a major role in many chronic diseases. Without getting into the details (inflammation is extremely complicated), the key takeaway is that curcumin is a bioactive substance that fights inflammation at the molecular level.

2. Curcumin Boosts Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Linked to Improved Brain Function and a Lower Risk of Brain Diseases

Back in the day, it was believed that neurons weren’t able to divide and multiply after early childhood. However, it’s now known that this does happen. Neurons are capable of forming new connections, but in certain areas of the brain they can also multiply and increase in number. One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a type of growth hormone that functions in your brain. Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of this hormone, including depression and Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, curcumin can increase brain levels of BDNF. By doing this, it may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function. It may also improve memory and make you smarter, which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels. However, controlled studies in people are needed to confirm this.

3. Curcumin Should Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the world. Researchers have studied it for many decades and learned a lot about why it happens. Unsurprisingly, heart disease is incredibly complicated and various things contribute to it. Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process. Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of your blood vessels. It’s well known that endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease and involves an inability of your endothelium to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and various other factors. Several studies suggest that curcumin leads to improvements in endothelial function. One study found that it’s as effective as exercise while another shows that it works as well as the drug Atorvastatin. In addition, curcumin reduces inflammation and oxidation (as discussed above), which play a role in heart disease as well. One study randomly assigned 121 people, who were undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, either a placebo or 4 grams of curcumin per day, a few days before and after the surgery. The curcumin group had a 65% decreased risk of experiencing a heart attack in the hospital.

4. Curcumin May Be Useful in Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world and a leading cause of dementia. Unfortunately, no good treatment is available for Alzheimer’s yet. Therefore, preventing it from occurring in the first place is of utmost importance. There may be good news on the horizon because curcumin has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier. It’s known that inflammation and oxidative damage play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, and curcumin has beneficial effects on both. In addition, a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease is a buildup of protein tangles called amyloid plaques. Studies show that curcumin can help clear these plaques. Whether curcumin can really slow down or even reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people is currently unknown and needs to be studied properly.

5. Arthritis Patients Respond Very Well to Curcumin Supplements

Arthritis is a common problem in Western countries. There are several different types, most of which involve inflammation in the joints. Given that curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound, it makes sense that it may help with arthritis. Several studies show this to be true. In a study in people with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug. Many other studies have looked at the effects of curcumin on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms.

6. Studies Show That Curcumin Has Incredible Benefits Against Depression

Curcumin has shown some promise in treating depression. In a controlled trial, 60 people with depression were randomized into three groups. One group took Prozac, another group one gram of curcumin and the third group both Prozac and curcumin. After 6 weeks, curcumin had led to improvements that were similar to Prozac. The group that took both Prozac and curcumin fared best. According to this small study, curcumin is as effective as an antidepressant. Depression is also linked to reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a shrinking hippocampus, a brain area with a role in learning and memory. Curcumin boosts BDNF levels, potentially reversing some of these changes. There is also some evidence that curcumin can boost the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

7. Curcumin May Help Delay Aging and Fight Age-Related Chronic Diseases

If curcumin can really help prevent heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s, it would have obvious benefits for longevity. For this reason, curcumin has become very popular as an anti-aging supplement. But given that oxidation and inflammation are believed to play a role in aging, curcumin may have effects that go way beyond just preventing disease.

Berberine is a bioactive compound that can be extracted from several different plants, including a group of shrubs called Berberis.
Technically, it belongs to a class of compounds called alkaloids. It has a yellow color, and has often been used as a dye.
Berberine is one of the most effective natural supplements available. It has very impressive health benefits, and affects your body at the molecular level. Berberine has been shown to lower blood sugar, cause weight loss and improve heart health, to name a few. It is one of the few supplements shown to be as effective as a pharmaceutical drug.

Natural Sources of Berberine

As mentioned above, berberine is a naturally occurring compound found in several medicinal plants and herbs. It’s usually extracted from the roots, barks, leaves and rhizomes of any of the following plants:

• Goldenseal
• Oregon grape
• European barberry
• Chinese goldthread
• Phellodendron (also known as cork tree)
• Tree turmeric
• Tinospora cordifolia (also known as Guduchi)
• Prickly poppy
• Californian poppy
• Yerba mansa

Berberine is effective for

• Berberine seems to slightly reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Also, some early research suggests that taking 500 mg of berberine 2-3 times daily for up to 3 months might control blood sugar as effectively as metformin or rosiglitazone.
• High cholesterol. There is early evidence that berberine can help lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. Taking 500 mg of berberine twice daily for 3 months seems to reduce total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with high cholesterol.

What else is Berberine good for?

• Depression, perhaps due to increases in noradrenaline and serotonin
• Cancer: Berberine may help suppress tumor growth and spread
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Infections, including anti-viral effects against the flu
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as it helps reduce fat build up in your liver

Aloe Vera plant has been used for thousands of years. It has remained quite popular in traditional Indonesian and Chinese medicine and even in Western medicine. Its use in cosmetics and other products started way back in the 1970s. The gel from the plant can treat inflammation and correct skin disorders

What Is Aloe Vera And How Does It Work?

Aloe Vera is as a short-stemmed shrub that is often called a wonder plant. the genus contains over 500 species.

Aloe vera is the scientific name (aloe is the name of the genus and vera is the name of the species). It is widely used today in foods, cosmetics, herbal remedies, and food supplements.

The most prominent use of aloe vera is in treating skin conditions and wounds. The oral intake of the plant (its gel or latex) can promote digestive health and greatly aid the treatment of diabetes and infectious diseases.

The plant contains over 75 powerful constituents – these include vitamins, minerals, enzymes, saponins, salicylic and amino acids, and sugars.

Aloe vera is one of the very few nutritionally replete plants in the world. What it can do for you is as incredible as its nutritional profile.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera is one of the few nutritionally densest natural foods available. It is replete with important vitamins and minerals and antioxidants. These fight inflammation, strengthen immunity, and treat chronic ailments like diabetes. Aloe vera also has excellent applications in enhancing your skin health. Here are some benefits of aloe vera:

• Fights Inflammation
• Promotes Digestive Health
• May Strengthen Immunity
• Treats Diabetes
• Can Aid Weight Loss
• May Treat Interstitial Cystitis
• Promotes Oral Health
• Might Prevent Some Forms Of Cancer
• Helps Treat Acne
• Can Fight Signs Of Premature Aging
• Moisturizes Skin
• Promotes Wound Healing
• May Improve Hair Health

What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera contains over 75 active nutrients. These include the following:

• Vitamins, including A, B12, C, E, folic acid, and choline.
• Minerals, including calcium, copper, chromium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, potassium, zinc, sodium.
• Enzymes, including aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, and peroxidase.
• Sugars, including monosaccharides and polysaccharides.

It also contains anthraquinones, fatty acids, hormones, and amino acids (20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids).

The nutrition profile should be reason enough for us to start including aloe vera in our diets. But how?

How To Include Aloe Vera In Your Diet?

Aloe vera is a fun and easy addition to a host of food preparations. Here are a few pointers that can help:

• You can eat aloe leaves as a snack between meals.
• You can also drink the aloe gel.
• Add the gel to your evening smoothie.
• Add aloe vera gel cubes to other ingredients like tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, sea salt, and garlic in a blender. Blend well, and your salsa is ready, which you can serve with tacos or chips
• Adding aloe vera leaves to a salad works wonders too (you can also add the gel).

You may also relish aloe juice. You need an aloe vera leaf and a cup of any desired fruit juice. Slit one edge of the leaf and scoop out the gel (you may store this gel in a jar and refrigerate it for future use). Add two tablespoons of this gel to the fruit juice and blend and serve.

Adhatoda Vasica nut is an important Ayurvedic medicinal herb. The entire parts of the plant from root to leaves are used to treat many ailments. It is the leaves, which are of great importance. The plant is effective in treating of asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and other disorders. Justicia adhatoda is used as medicine in Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy, Unani and other ancient system of medicine. This product is endorsed by many doctors worldwide. It is used as expectorant, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, antiseptic and bronchodilator.

What is Adhatoda Vasica?

Adhatoda Vasica is a very important medicinal herb where leaf, root, flower and whole plant is used for many drug formulations. adhatoda vasica is a tall, much-branched, dense, evergreen shrub, with large, lance-shaped leaves. flowers in dense, short spikes; stalks of the spikes shorter than leaves. leaf-like structures called bracts, present on the spikes; these are conspicuously veined. the plant is native of indonesia, occurs throughout the plains and in the lower regions of himalaya. it is used for many medicinal uses as well as health benefits.

Medicinal uses of Adhatoda Vasica

The drug Adhatoda Vasica comprises the fresh or dried leaves of the plant. Leaves contain an alkaloid vasicine, and an essential oil. The chief use of Adhatoda Vasica is as an expectorant; it is given in the form of juice, syrup or decoction. It softens the thick sputum, facilitates its coming out and thus brings about quick relief in bronchitis. The expectorant activity is due to stimulation of bronchial glands.

Chemical composition of Adhatoda Vasica

The leaves of Adhatoda Vasica contain phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenolics and flavonoids. Leaves contain vasicine, a quinazoline alkaloid and an essential oil. It also have other chemicals such as Luteolin, Tritriacontane, B- Sitosterol, Kaempferol, 3- Sophoroside, Adhatodic acid, q- Hydroxyvasicinine, Vit –C, vasicol. Vasicinol, Vaicinolone, Adhatodine, Adhavasinone, Anisotine, Carotene, Vasakin, Vasicinone, Vascicolone, Vasicolinone and many more.

Health benefits of Adhatoda Vasica

• Adhatoda Vasica for respiratory problems: It is an effective herb in the management of respiratory congestions like cough, bronchitis, asthma, etc. The medicinal herb expands the airways and provides great relief to the bronchitis patients. It is a well-known ayurvedic medicine for expectorant and helps to ease out the phlegm.
• Ayurvedic Adhatoda Vasica for tuberculosis: Adhatoda Vasica is known for anti-microbial properties thereby helpful in fighting of tuberculosis. Along with treating tuberculosis, it shows positive impacts for cough and bronchitis.
• Adhatoda Vasica for arthritis: Adhatoda Vasica has anti-inflammatory properties. It is good for joint pain and helps to subsidize arthritis swelling
• Adhatoda Vasica to purify blood: The Ayurvedic herb Malabar nut is good for purifying of blood. It increases the blood count and also ensures lowering of blood pressure. If you want to purify your blood, it’s the good bet. It is good for the health of heart acts like as a cardiac tonic.
• Adhatoda Vasica for doshas balancing: It balances pitta and Kapha doshas. It helps to balance Pitta and good for the health of liver and gall bladder.
• Adhatoda Vasica for voice: It helps in clarity of voice.
• Adhatoda Vasica for fever: It is beneficial in case of thirst, fever, vomiting, sugar, bleeding disorders and leprosy.
• Adhatoda Vasica for dyspnea: It cures dyspnea by improving the lung function and its efficiency.

Precautions

• One should take precaution while eating Adhatoda Vasica.
• Its medicinal formulations should be taken only after consultation of physician.
• Its over dosage may lead to many ill effects.
• Expecting mother shouldn’t take Adhatoda Vasica as it heavily impacts the uterus.
• It lowers the blood sugar level; therefore diabetic patients should care of it.
• Children shouldn’t use it.

The health benefits of fenugreek include relief from anemia, loss of taste, fever, dandruff, stomach disorders, biliousness, respiratory disorders, mouth ulcers, sore throat, diabetes, inflammations, wounds, and insomnia. It is beneficial in lactation and helps in improving digestion and hair health. It is also shown to reduce cholesterol levels and protect heart health, while simultaneously boosting the immune system and protecting against flu and various infections.

What is Fenugreek?

Fenugreek is an annual plant that is also known as methi in many places in the world. It is a member of the bean family and its scientific family name is Fabaceae. It is native to the Middle and Near East and is widely used in the Indonesia subcontinent. It has small round leaves. There is even evidence that the ancient Egyptians understood the benefits of this herb since its seeds have been found in tombs, particularly of Tutankhamen. This plant is grown in countries across the globe, but the majority is cultivated and consumed in Indonesia.

Health Benefits of Fenugreek

• Fenugreek is used for herbal healing and has many important health benefits that are listed below:

• Promotes Lactation
• Reduces Menstrual Discomfort
• Lowers Cholesterol Levels
• Prevents Colon Cancer
• Suppresses Appetite
• Reduces Cardiovascular Risks
• Controls Diabetes
• Kidney Problems
• Relieves Sore Throat
• Soothes Irritation

Other Benefits

• Other benefits of fenugreek include the following:

• Treats wounds, inflammation, and gastrointestinal ailments.
• Helps in battling free radicals due to its antioxidant property.
• According to Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, it can be used for inducing labor and aiding digestion.
• Helps improve the body’s overall metabolism and health.
• External application of fenugreek gives relief from irritated skin and other conditions.
• Acts as a febrifuge and gives relief from muscle aches.

Uses

• You can use and consume fenugreek in many ways that include:

• The leaves can be dried and used as herbs.
• Fenugreek seeds can be eaten whole and are often used as toppings for certain dishes or soups.
• The seeds are primarily used as a spice and can be found sprinkled on top of many Asian dishes.
• These seeds can also be used in powdered form as a flavoring agent in curry pastes, soups, and stews.
• The plant matter itself can be used as a vegetable, like sprouts and microgreens.
• Fenugreek powder can also be used to make a healthy, energizing tea.

Gymnema Sylvestre is a woody climbing shrub that’s native to the tropical forests of Indonesia, India, Africa and Australia. Its leaves have been used in the ancient Indonesia medicinal practice Ayurveda for thousands of years. It has been a traditional remedy for various ailments, including diabetes, malaria and snakebites.
This herb is thought to inhibit sugar absorption and thus has become a popular study subject in Western medicine.

Health benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre.

• • Reduces Sugar Cravings by Making Sweet Foods Taste Less Appealing.

Gymnemic acids in Gymnema Sylvestre can block the sugar receptors on your tongue, decreasing your ability to taste sweetness. This can lead to reduced sugar cravings.

• • Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels.

Gymnema Sylvestre has anti-diabetic properties and may lower your blood sugar levels after a meal.

• • May Contribute to Favorable Insulin Levels by Increasing Insulin Production.

Gymnema Sylvestre appears to contribute to favorable insulin levels by increasing insulin production and regenerating insulin-secreting islet cells. Both can help lower blood sugar levels.

• • Improves Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels, Reducing Heart Disease Risk.

Research supports that Gymnema can play a role in lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease.

• • May Aid Weight Loss.

Gymnema Sylvestre may play a role in weight loss and prevent weight gain. It may promote reduced calorie intake. Gymnema Sylvestre may play a role in weight loss and prevent weight gain. It may promote reduced calorie intake.

• • Helps Reduce Inflammation Due to Its Tannin and Saponin Content.

The tannins and saponins in Gymnema have anti-inflammatory properties that help fight inflammation.

Safety Information

Gymnema Sylvestre is considered safe for most people, but it should not be taken by children or women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to get pregnant.
Moreover, though it appears to improve blood sugar and insulin levels, it’s not a substitute for diabetes medication. Only take Gymnema with other blood-sugar-lowering medications under your doctor’s supervision.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (family Fabaceae), commonly known as licorice, is an herbaceous perennial and has been used as a flavoring agent in foods and medicinal remedies for thousands of years. Licorice root has been widely used around the world to treat cough since ancient times. It contains active compounds, including glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, and chalcones. Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid are considered to be the main active components and are potent inhibitors of cortisol metabolism, due to their steroid-like structures. The root of this plant has been used for cough, colds, asthma, and COPD

Uses

Itchy and inflamed skin (eczema). There is some evidence that applying licorice to the skin can improve symptoms of eczema. Applying a gel containing licorice three times daily for 2 weeks seems to reduce redness, swelling, and itching.

Heartburn (dyspepsia) Research suggests that taking two specific combination products containing licorice root (Iberogast, Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH; STW-5-S, Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH) seems to improve symptoms of heartburn.

Recovery after surgery Research suggests that sucking on a single lozenge containing licorice beginning 30 minutes before having a tube inserted through the mouth into the trachea reduces cough following surgery by about 50%. Also, gargling with a licorice fluid before intubation reduces complications when the breathing tube is removed.

Side Effects & Safety

Licorice is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in amounts found in foods. Licorice is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in larger amounts for medicinal purposes and when applied to the skin for a short amount of time. However, it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts for more than 4 weeks or in smaller amounts long-term. Consuming licorice daily for several weeks or longer can cause severe side effects including high blood pressure, low potassium levels, weakness, paralysis, and occasionally brain damage in otherwise healthy people. In people who eat a lot of salt or have heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, as little as 5 grams per day can cause these problems.

It is derived from a fruit of the same name, also called Garcinia gummi-gutta or Malabar tamarind.
The peel of the fruit contains high amounts of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is the active ingredient believed to be responsible for most of its weight loss benefits.

What Is Garcinia Cambogia?

Garcinia cambogia is a small, pumpkin-shaped, yellow or greenish fruit. The fruit is so sour that it is generally not eaten fresh but rather used in cooking. Garcinia cambogia supplements are made from extracts of the fruit’s peel. The peel of the fruit contains high amounts of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), an active substance that has been shown to have some weight loss properties.

Can Cause Modest Weight Loss

Many high-quality human studies have tested the weight loss effects of garcinia cambogia. What’s more, most of them indicate that the supplement can cause a small amount of weight loss.
On average, garcinia cambogia has been shown to cause weight loss of about 2 pounds (0.88 kg) more than a placebo, over a period of 2–12 weeks.

How Does It Aid Weight Loss?

There are two main ways that garcinia cambogia is thought to aid weight loss.
1. May Reduce Your Appetite
2. May Block Fat Production and Reduce Belly Fat
Garcinia cambogia may suppress appetite. It also blocks the production of new fats in your body and has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and blood triglycerides in overweight people.

Other Health Benefits

Animal and test-tube studies suggest that garcinia cambogia may also have some anti-diabetes effects, including:

• Decreasing insulin levels
• Decreasing leptin levels
• Reducing inflammation
• Improving blood sugar control
• Increasing insulin sensitivity

Additionally, garcinia cambogia could boost your digestive system. Animal studies suggest that it helps protect against stomach ulcers and reduce damage to the inner lining of your digestive tract.
However, these effects need to be studied further before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Side effects

Some people experience digestive symptoms, headaches and skin rashes when taking garcinia cambogia. Animal studies suggest that a very high intake may cause toxicity

Almost every tea enjoyed comes from a specific species of plant known as the camellia sinensis. There are two varieties of this plant that each yield different types of teas, with specific characteristics that define each one. Black tea, called “red tea” in China, is the strongest-tasting variety due to its oxidation time in processing. Oolong tea, known for its flowery notes similar to green tea, is less oxidized. And green tea, the mildest variety, does not undergo oxidation at all and is pan-fried in processing to prevent oxidation from occurring.

Camellia Sinensis ‘s Origins

Camellia sinensis (or tea plant) is used to make most traditional caffeinated teas, including black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and green tea. This plant originated near the southwest region of China as an evergreen forest shrub. The leaves are glossy green with serrated edges and are similar in both shape and size to a bay leaf.
Tea plant was first stumbled upon by accident—as the story goes—in 2737 B.C.E. The emperor at the time was boiling water in his garden when a leaf from the overhanging camellia sinensis tree drifted into his pot. The combination yielded a drink that compelled him to research the tree further, uncovering both medicinal and palatable properties.

Varieties of Camellia Sinensis

Two varieties of the tea plant make up some of the most popular types of tea. Camellia sinensis sinensis (Chinese tea) is native to China and thrives in cool temperatures and high elevations. It is commonly grown on mountain slopes, producing a sweeter, gentler taste indicative to both green tea and white tea. Camellia sinensis assamica (Assam tea or Indian tea), on the other hand, thrives in the Assam region of Northern India. This plant is considered more tropical than its Chinese variety, growing larger and producing bigger leaves (due to a climate with plenty of rain and warm temperatures). This variety is used for robust teas like black tea, oolong, and pu-erh.