Ku Ding tea

Ku Ding tea (苦丁茶; pinyin: kǔdīng chá; literally "bitter nail/spike tea") or Kuding cha is a particularly bitter-tasting Chinese tisane which due to their similarities in appearance is derived from several plant speciesTam CF, Peng Y, Liang ZT, He ZD, Zhao ZZ., 2006.,"Application of microscopic techniques in authentication of herbal tea-Ku-Ding-Cha". Microscopy research and technique, Nov;69(11):927-32.] . 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 ChinaSubhuti Dharmananda, cite web | title="KU DING CHA"| url=http://www.itmonline.org/arts/kudingcha.htm Imtonline Article, Institute for Traditional Medicine, Portland, Oregon, Retrieved November 2 2006] .

Uses

The traditional Chinese medicinal properties associated with Ku Ding include its ability to disperse wind-heat, clear the head and the eyes, and resolve toxin, thus being used for common cold, rhinitis, itching eyes, red eyes, and headache. It is also said to calm fidgets and alleviate thirst, especially when one is suffering from a disease that causes fever or severe diarrhea. It transforms phlegm and alleviates coughing, thus used in treating bronchitis. Finally, it is said to invigorate digestion and improve mental focus and memory.

Modern research suggests that the herb, derived from either "Ilex" or "Ligustrum", promotes blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and lowers blood lipids, including cholesterol. It has the reputation of preventing deterioration of the heart and brain function and maintaining proper body weight. It has also be found that Ku Ding tea made from "L. robustum" has similar anti-oxidative effects to tea in addition to additional anti-inflammatory propertiesLAU Kit Man; HE Zhendan; DONG Hui; FUNG Kwok Pui and BUT Pui Hay Paul, 2002 "Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and hepato-protective effects of Ligustrum robustum", Journal of Ethnopharmacology. vol.83 pp.63-71.] .

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