Beyond the Leaf: Pu-erh Tea Health & Wellness Secrets

by Matt Weik April 23, 2024

Life is better with a cup of tea in hand (and hopefully, it’s pu-erh tea!). Whether you are a tea connoisseur or drink a cup or two occasionally, consuming tea is something that we have probably all done in our lives at some point.

Why would I make such a bold statement? Well, it’s because tea, along with coffee, is one of the most popular and broadly consumed drinks in the world.

Just like many other things, you can find various types of teas throughout the globe. Some of the most found ones are black tea, green tea, white tea, herbal tea, floral tea, and a recent addition to the list — pu-erh tea or pu’er tea.

In the current times, pu-erh tea has been gaining notable popularity and drawing considerable interest, not just for its remarkable flavor but also for its various health benefits.

While pu-erh tea isn’t a novelty to ancient civilizations like China, it is only in recent years that pu-erh tea has come into the spotlight, garnering appreciation and undergoing thorough research to unveil its fullest potential in the modern context.

In this article, we will dive deeper and learn more about the purity of pu’er tea and its many health benefits.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before making any changes to your current nutrition plan or adding pu-erh tea into your regimen.

What is Pu-erh Tea?

Pu-erh tea, also known as “black tea” in the Far East, comes from China’s Yunnan province. Its name originates from the town (Pu’er) where it was first made.

Pu-erh is unique because it goes through a fermentation process after drying and rolling, changing its color and taste. This special method not only lets pu-erh age well, like fine wine, but some types stay fresh for up to fifty years!

You can find pu-erh in compact bricks or high-end loose leaves made from both green and black tea. Pu’er was and still is being made into compressed discs or bricks for the sole purpose of utility of horseback transport. This process and ancient tea go all the way back to the Silk Road days.

Pu-erh tea is crafted from a larger leaf strain of camellia sinensis called Dayeh from ancient trees aged 500 to 1000 years. These trees grow in temperate regions and are usually harvested in mid-spring. The flavor of pu-erh varies due to different conditions, offering a rich experience with notes ranging from smooth and fruity to peaty, grassy, musky, herbal, and earthy.

What is Pu-erh Tea Made From and How?

Traditionally, pu-erh tea was crafted from leaves of ancient tea plants, some even hundreds of years old, native to southwest China. However, finding such old tea plants today is quite rare. Modern pu-erh is typically created by blending leaves from various tea estates.

The starting point for every type of pu-erh is maocha, an unoxidized tea. Maocha can be produced using leaves and buds collected from one or multiple tea estates.
The taste of maocha is influenced by factors like the tea plant’s age, the mix of leaves and buds, and the grading of leaf material.
Following this, three distinct processing methods come into play, determining the pu-erh style: raw, aged raw, and ripe.

What Are the Benefits of Pu-erh Tea?

Pu-erh tea is full of amazing health benefits that most people never even knew about. Below are seven of the best health benefits of pu’er tea that you may experience through its use.

1. Improve weight loss

Weight loss is the most significant benefit of drinking pu-erh tea. The tea is marketed to be a weight loss drink as studies have shown drinking pu-erh tea helps you lose weight and reduce your body mass index (BMI) by preventing your body from absorbing fat in the diet.

Related Article: Advanced Innovation for Improving Body Composition

According to a study, researchers found around a 3% decrease in total body fat compared to the placebo group, which experienced no change at all.

In another study involving 36 overweight participants, the consumption of 333 mg of pu-erh tea extract three times a day for 12 weeks demonstrated notable improvements in body weight, body mass index (BMI), and abdominal fat measurements.

2. Increase energy

The caffeine content in pu-erh tea provides a daily energy and mental focus boost. A single cup contains approximately 60 to 70 milligrams of caffeine, making it a milder option compared to the 105 milligrams found in a standard coffee cup. This makes pu-erh tea an excellent choice for individuals who seek heightened alertness without the jitters commonly associated with coffee consumption.

Taking a moment to enjoy a cup of pu-erh tea provides a chance to relax and recharge, allowing you to return to your tasks with new, bright energy.

3. Reduce cholesterol

Pu-erh tea is known for its potential to reduce cholesterol levels. A study conducted in 2009 revealed that pu-erh was effective in lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol while simultaneously increasing HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.

The findings from this study suggest that pu-erh tea may play a significant role in mitigating the risk of heart disease.

4. Support skin health

Pu’er tea offers several benefits for the skin. It helps fight the effects of sun damage, contributing to the overall health of the skin. The preservation of elastin, a key component in maintaining skin elasticity, is another positive effect of pu-erh tea.

Moreover, the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of pu-erh tea make it a valuable ingredient in anti-aging products and skincare cosmetics.

A 2019 study looked deeper into the antioxidant and antibacterial capacities of both raw and ripened pu-erh tea. Using hydro-alcoholic and aqueous extracts, the study found promising results — both ripened and raw pu-erh extracts demonstrated the ability to contain the growth of S. aureus, a bacteria known to cause skin infections.

Regular consumption of pu’er tea may thus contribute to clearer skin and purification by potentially addressing issues like acne.

5. Minimize and control anxiety

A lot of people in the U.S., about 18.1%, deal with anxiety every year: it’s the most common mental health issue here. If stress gives you little pains, having pu-erh tea can help you relax and reduce stress. Pu-erh tea contains substances like gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which can help you relax and lower stress levels.

Enjoy a cup of pu-erh tea every day to feel less stressed and sleep better at night.

6. Boost liver health

Pu-erh tea might be helpful in preventing or reversing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, where too much fat builds up in the liver. Animal studies have shown that this is possible because pu-erh tea can reduce fat accumulation.

According to another study, pu-erh tea extract could protect the liver from harm caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin.

7. Aid in bone health

As we age, the bones tend to lose density and become more fragile. The risk of serious bone conditions like osteoporosis increases and may get worse. Research on animals has indicated that the polyphenols found in pu’er tea could help in building higher bone mass and increased bone strength.

These polyphenols also carry antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce pain and discomfort associated with bone issues.

Grab Some Organic Pu-Erh Loose Leaf Tea — 5-Year Aged

If you’re looking for a delicious cup of tea that can provide you with not only health benefits but a way to destress from a long day or cold temperatures, give Holistic Bin Organic Pu-erh Loose Leaf Tea a try.

Simply grab a pinch (or 2 grams) of our 5-year aged pu-erh loose tea and make yourself a refreshing and full of health benefits fermented tea. Our pu’er tea contains a medium caffeine level and a golden bud. The competition-grade golden leaves produce a mesmerizing copper liquor with bold textured flavors.

Are you ready to take your tea enjoyment to the next level? Try Holistic Bin Organic Pu-erh Loose Leaf Tea and experience all the benefits this rare and fermented tea has to offer.