Green tea, L-theanine, and meditation.

If we think about it, tea hides a paradox within itself: we all associate it with a relaxing moment, a moment in which each of us takes a break to savor its pleasant and beneficial infusion. When we think of tea, we think of a relaxed atmosphere.

Tea and caffeine

Yet, both black and to a lesser extent green tea contain caffeine, a stimulating alkaloid that tones our body and stimulates neuronal synapses, as well as being a molecule that promotes diuresis (that's why green tea is an excellent diuretic!) To support all this, there is also history: tea was in fact imported to Japan thanks to Buddhist monks, for whom it had become indispensable in their long meditations helping them stay awake and promoting brain relaxation. Today, Japanese teas are the most well-known and prized in the world.

Tea and L-Theanine

It goes without saying that caffeine and relaxation are not exactly synonymous, on the contrary. Yet tea contains both, how is this explained? The most recent studies tell us that camellia sinensis (the scientific name of the tea plant) in addition to many antioxidants also contains an amino acid: L-Theanine. What is its main property? To relax the mind, promote sleep, eliminate stress. In reality, not only this, L-Theanine is becoming a highly studied amino acid. It seems to have immuno-stimulating properties and protective effects on the brain system. Once again, scientific evidence highlights what was already known in ancient times: tea stimulates concentration, helps keep the mind focused and at the same time induces physical and emotional relaxation. In addition to all this, it keeps us awake and tonic thanks to caffeine. How can we not praise it, as in this Chinese poem from the 16th century?

A Place for Tea

Hulu jushi fanyi

A clean room - with just a broad couch, a ready table, burning incense, a cup of tea - empty of unnecessary things. While sitting in meditation, a pure ethereal force gathers naturally within me. As this chaste and numinous power grows, the foul and turbid effluvium of the world also shifts within and is steadily purged.

Li Rihua 李日華 (1565-1635), of the Ming dynasty. The place of tea

A clean room - with just a broad couch, a ready table, burning incense, a cup of tea - empty of unnecessary things. While sitting in meditation, a pure ethereal force gathers naturally within me. As this chaste and numinous power grows, the foul and turbid effluvium of the world also shifts within and is steadily purged.

Li Rihua 李日華 (1565-1635), Ming dynasty.

Sources and further readings:

Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296328 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25761837 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15378679 http://www.tsiosophy.com/

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