Tea (Jasmine)

🍵 What Is Jasmine Tea?

Jasmine tea is a fragrant beverage made by infusing green, white, or black tea leaves with jasmine blossoms. It’s admired for its floral aroma and soothing qualities and is enjoyed worldwide, both hot and cold.

🤔 Why Might Sensitivity to Jasmine Tea Occur?

• Caffeine: Jasmine tea contains caffeine, which can sometimes cause digestive irritation, restlessness, or headaches.

• Polyphenols: These natural plant compounds may cause mild digestive discomfort in some individuals.

• Essential oils: The jasmine aroma comes from essential oils that can trigger mild immune or sensitivity reactions.

• Tannins: Tannins found in tea leaves may lead to nausea or stomach upset, particularly if consumed on an empty stomach.

If other teas are better tolerated, it may be due to their lower levels of caffeine, tannins, or aromatic compounds.

🛠️ Supportive Lifestyle Choices

• Avoid jasmine tea temporarily: Eliminate it from your diet for about eight weeks to allow sensitivity to reset.

• Reintroduce mindfully: After eight weeks, reintroduce a small amount and monitor your response.

• Try alternatives: Choose caffeine-free or herbal teas such as chamomile or rooibos.

• Track responses: Keep a journal to identify any consistent symptoms or triggers.

Supportive General Supplements

• Probiotics: Support gut microbiome balance and improve digestion.

• L-glutamine: Helps maintain a healthy gut lining and reduces irritation.

• Turmeric (Curcumin): Offers natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support.

🌟 Why Sensitivity to Jasmine Tea May Occur but Not to Other Teas

• Essential oils: Jasmine-infused oils are unique to this tea and may trigger reactivity in some people.

• Tannin levels: Depending on the base tea (green or black), jasmine tea can contain more tannins, which may irritate sensitive stomachs.

• Caffeine variation: Some jasmine teas have higher caffeine content compared to herbal teas.

• Fragrance compounds: The volatile compounds responsible for jasmine’s aroma may be irritating for those sensitive to scents.

• Acidity: Jasmine tea tends to be slightly more acidic, which may not be well tolerated by everyone.

🍴 Common Culinary Uses

• Jasmine tea–infused rice or desserts

• Jasmine tea sorbet or pastries

• Jasmine tea–based cocktails or mocktails

🥥 Alternatives (If Tolerated)

• Chamomile tea

• Peppermint tea

• Rooibos tea

• Hibiscus tea

• Decaffeinated green tea