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Pu-erh tea

Pu-erh tea is made from the leaves and stems of the Camellia sinensis plant. This is the same plant that is used to make green tea, oolong tea and black tea. Even though the same plant is used, the different teas are produced using different manufacturing processes. Green tea is not fermented, oolong tea is partially fermented, black tea is fully fermented and pu-erh tea is post-matured. This means that the production of Pu-erh tea involves both fermentation and then prolonged storage or "maturation" under high humidity. Pu-erh tea that has been matured for longer is considered to taste better. However, it can also smell musty or spoiled, as the tea is sometimes infested with bacteria or mold during the long aging process. Pu-erh tea is mainly produced in the Yunnan district in the southwestern part of China. It has also become a popular drink in Taiwan. Pu-erh tea is used as a medicine. Pu-erh tea is used to improve mental alertness and promote clearer thinking. It is also used to lower cholesterol levels.

How does Pu-erh tea work?

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine, although not as much caffeine as other teas. Caffeine works by stimulating the central nervous system (CNS), heart and muscles. Pu-erh tea also contains antioxidants and other substances that may help protect the heart and blood vessels. There is interest in using Pu-erh tea to lower cholesterol levels because, unlike other teas, it contains small amounts of the chemical lovastin. Loastin is a prescription drug used to lower cholesterol levels. Scientists believe that bacteria that sometimes contaminate Pu-erh tea produce this lovastin in the course of their normal life cycle. Studies conducted with animals suggest that Pu-erh tea may lower levels of certain blood lipids called triglycerides and levels of bad LDL cholesterol. It may also increase levels of good HDL cholesterol.

How effective is Pu-erh tea?

Pu-erhtea may be effective in improving mental alertness. Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The caffeine appears to prevent a decrease in alertness and thinking ability when consumed throughout the day. There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Pu-erh tea on high cholesterol levels. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Pu-erh tea in this application.

Safety and side effects

The consumption of Pu-erh tea in moderate amounts could be safe and harmless. However, too much Pu-erh tea (more than five cups per day) may cause side effects due to the caffeine it contains. These side effects range from mild to serious and include headaches, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremors, heartburn, tinnitus, cramps and confusion.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pu-erh tea is probably not harmful to pregnant women in small amounts. However, two cups per day should not be exceeded. Too much caffeine can lead to miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and harm the baby. It is also important to consume pu-erh tea in moderate amounts while breastfeeding. Caffeine passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding mothers should carefully monitor their caffeine intake. Larger amounts of caffeine may not be safe and harmless while breastfeeding. Caffeine can cause sleep disturbances, irritability and increased bowel activity in breastfed children.

Children: Pu-erh tea appears to be safe for children in normal food quantities

Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in pu-erh tea could exacerbate this problem.

Blood clotting disorders: There are concerns that pu-erh tea may exacerbate these disorders due to its caffeine content. For this reason, you should avoid pu-erh tea if you suffer from blood clotting disorders.

Heart disease: The caffeine in pu-erh tea can cause an irregular heartbeat in some people. For this reason, pu-erh tea should be used with caution if you suffer from heart disease.

Diabetes: Some research suggests that caffeine may affect the way the body uses sugar and worsen existing diabetes. However, the effects of caffeine-containing plant products such as pu-erh tea have not yet been studied in detail. If you have diabetes, you should use pu-erh tea with caution.

Diarrhea: Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The caffeine contained in pu-erh tea can aggravate diarrhea, especially when consumed in large quantities.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The caffeine contained in pu-erh tea can aggravate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, especially when consumed in large quantities.

Glaucoma: The caffeine contained in pu-erh tea can increase intraocular pressure. This increase occurs within the first 30 minutes of drinking Pu-erh tea and lasts for at least 90 minutes after drinking Pu-erh tea.

High blood pressure: The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea may increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect is less pronounced in people who regularly consume caffeine.

Osteoporosis: The caffeine in Pu-erh tea can increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. If you suffer from osteoporosis or low bone density, caffeine consumption should be limited to less than 300 mg per day (about three cups of coffee). It is also a good idea to take extra calcium to replace the calcium excreted in the urine. Older women who suffer from a hereditary disorder that affects the way the body uses vitamin D should use caffeine with caution. Vitamin D works together with calcium to build bone.

Interactions

Pu-erh tea should not be taken in combination with the following medications:

Amphetamines

Stimulants such as amphetamines accelerate the function of the nervous system. By accelerating the function of the nervous system, stimulants can speed up the heart rate and cause a feeling of inner restlessness. The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea can also accelerate the function of the nervous system. The consumption of Pu-erh tea in combination with stimulants could cause serious side effects including accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure. For this reason, a combination of pu-erh tea with stimulants should be avoided.

Cimetidine

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to be able to excrete it. Cimetidine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine in combination with Pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Cocaine

Stimulants such as cocaine accelerate the function of the nervous system. By accelerating the function of the nervous system, stimulants can speed up the heart rate and cause a feeling of restlessness. The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea can also accelerate the function of the nervous system. The consumption of Pu-erh tea in combination with stimulants could cause serious side effects including accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure. For this reason, a combination of pu-erh tea with stimulants should be avoided.

Ephedrine

Stimulants such as ephedrine accelerate the function of the nervous system. By accelerating the function of the nervous system, stimulants can speed up the heart rate and cause a feeling of inner restlessness. The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea can also accelerate the function of the nervous system. The consumption of Pu-erh tea in combination with stimulants could cause serious side effects including accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure. For this reason, a combination of Pu-erh tea with stimulants should be avoided.

Care should be taken when combining pu-erh tea with the following medications:

Adenosine

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea could block the effects of adenosine. Adenosine is often used by doctors to test the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. You should avoid drinking pu-erh tea and other caffeinated products for 24 hours before such a test.

Antibiotics (quinolone antibiotics)

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to be able to excrete it. Some antibiotics can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these antibiotics in combination with Pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including agitation, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Clozapine

The body breaks down clozapine in order to excrete it. The caffeine in pu-erh tea appears to reduce the rate at which the body breaks down clozapine. The consumption of Pu-erh tea in combination with clozapine may increase the effects and side effects of clozapine.

Dipyridamole

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea could block the effects of dipyridamole. Dipyridamole is often used by doctors to test the heart. This test is called a cardiac stress test. You should avoid drinking pu-erh tea and other caffeine-containing products for 24 hours before such a test.

Disulfiram

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to be able to excrete it. Disulfiram can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking disulfiram in combination with pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Estrogens

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to excrete it. Estrogens can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking estrogens in conjunction with pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others. If you are taking estrogens, you should limit your caffeine intake.

Fluvoxamine

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to excrete it. Fluvoxamine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking fluvoxamine in combination with Pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Lithium

The caffeine in pu-erh tea may increase the rate at which the body excretes lithium. If you are taking products that contain caffeine and are taking lithium, you should wean off caffeine-containing products slowly, otherwise the side effects of lithium may increase.

Asthma medication (beta-adrenergic agonists)

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the heart. Some asthma medications can also stimulate the heart. Taking caffeine in combination with these asthma medications can result in excessive stimulation and heart problems.

Medication for depression (monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs))

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the body. Some medications for depression can also stimulate the body. A combination of Pu-erh tea with these medications can cause serious side effects including rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nervousness and others.

Medications that slow down blood clotting

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. Caffeine may slow down blood clotting. Consuming Pu-erh tea in conjunction with medications that also slow blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise. Some medications that can slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen, heparin, warfarin and others.

Nicotine

Stimulants such as nicotine accelerate the function of the nervous system. By accelerating the function of the nervous system, stimulants can speed up the heart rate and cause a feeling of inner restlessness. The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea can also accelerate the function of the nervous system. The consumption of Pu-erh tea in combination with stimulants could cause serious side effects including accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure. For this reason, a combination of pu-erh tea with stimulants should be avoided.

Pentobarbital

The stimulant effects of the caffeine in pu-erh tea can block the sleep-promoting effects of pentobarbital.

Phenylpropanolamine

The caffeine contained in Pu-erh tea can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. The consumption of Pu-erh tea in combination with phenylpropanolamine could cause excessive stimulation and increase heart rate and blood pressure, as well as cause nervousness.

Riluzole

The body breaks down riluzole in order to excrete it. Pu-erh tea can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down riluzole. The consumption of Pu-erh tea in combination with riluzole may increase the effects and side effects of riluzole.

Theophylline

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. Caffeine has a similar effect to theophylline. Caffeine can also slow down the breakdown of theophylline. A combination of Pu-Erh tea with theophylline can increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.

Verapamil

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to be able to excrete it. Verapamil can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking verapamil in combination with pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others. Care should be taken when combining Pu-Erh tea with the following medications:

Alcohol

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to be able to excrete it. Alcohol can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Drinking alcohol in combination with Pu-erh tea can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Birth control pill

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to excrete it. The birth control pill can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking birth control pills in combination with pu-erh tea can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Fluconazole

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to excrete it. Fluconazole can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking fluconazole in combination with Pu-Erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Diabetes medications

Pu-erh tea may increase blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar levels. By increasing blood sugar levels, pu-erh tea could reduce the effectiveness of diabetes medication. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. The dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Mexiletine

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to be able to excrete it. Mexiletin reduces the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking Mexiletine in combination with Pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including agitation, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Terbinafine

Pu-erh tea contains caffeine. The body breaks down caffeine in order to excrete it. Terbinafine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking terbinafine in combination with Pu-erh tea may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including restlessness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and others.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Pu-erh tea depends on various factors such as age, health condition and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for pu-erh tea. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

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