Posted by random god on February 13, 2004, at 0:10:55
This is the Nectar of the Gods. I have been drinking TongTing Oolong twice a day, morning and afternoon for a week. Pretty much after the second day I noticed considerable improvement in all of my symptoms. I sleep better, I feel focused and calm, and simply joyous, not euphoric, but perfectly happy. I believe the theanine synergized with the antioxidents and other highly beneficial components in the Camellia Sinensis are what do the trick. What I find curious is that some of the PubMed abstracts say it reduces serotonin synthesis. But I feel such a lift in my depression I do not see how that adds up. Perhaps it is the increased GABA and dopamine allowing for true relaxation and the reduced stress increases the neurogenesis in the hypocampus, which is a current hypothesis of why SSRI's even work.
Anyway some of you who are not on meds, and have mild depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping should really give it try. You want Green Oolongs which have the best combinations of green and black teas, and by their nature use older leaves and are processed in a way that increases theanine content.
Stick with Tiquanyin, TongDing, Fo Shou (Buddha hand) Oolongs, most any of the ones that look like little nuggets. Through much research here are some of the vendors that have the best qualities for the best prices:
http://www.teaspring.com/oolong-tea.asp
http://www.generationtea.com/store/default.php?cPath=6 (good source for organic if you are willing to pay a bit more)
http://www.oolong-tea.com/tea.htm
http://www.tenrenus.com/tungtingoolong1.html
It is best to prepare them GungFu style, which is a lot of tea to a little water for multiple (3-5) steepings. I like near boiling water with about 5grams (about 2 tsps) to 6 ounces of water for about a minute, increasing by about 10 or 15 seconds each addition steeping.
poster:random god
thread:312688
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040110/msgs/312688.html