The Benefits of Osmanthus Burkwoodii: Are They Real

The fruity, flowery aroma and delicate taste of the Osmanthus plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. But is it actually beneficial for you to be drinking O.Burkwoodii tea, or burning its leaves in an incense burner? We've investigated the health benefits and side effects of this fragrant plant.

1. The story of one scientist's quest for the truth about Osmanthus

“The story of one scientist’s quest for the truth about Osmanthus” by @DerekThompson is a must-read on the power of storytelling in business. 

In traditional Chinese medicine, the O. Burkwoodii plant (Osmanthus macrophylla) is used for everything from slowing your heart rate to relieving morning stiffness. In fact, there are 23 documented uses for this plant as part of traditional Chinese medicine, including:

According to Cheng Xiao, a hypnotherapist based in Taiwan, the popular flavoured tea called O. Burkwoodii is guaranteed to stimulate the lymphatic system and relieve congestion. According to Cheng, burning this plant in an incense burner produces aroma similar to marijuana or spearmint, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat insomnia and stress.

There are quite a few things you can and can’t do with tea from Osmanthus Burkwoodii. First of all, consuming it can have some “bad” side effects, such as:

However, there are also quite a few benefits to be found with this plant. Here are a few:

Some people have reported people with insomnia or chronic stress experiencing a decrease in blood pressure when drinking O. Burkwoodii tea. However, there isn’t much research on this specifically.

However, there is one known side effect from drinking O. Burkwoodii tea — chronic gallbladder disease. Incorrect use of this plant can cause intestinal inflammation (2).

The root of this plant (O. Burkwoodii) contains phytochemicals which give it its characteristic flavour and smell. These chemical compounds act as natural antibiotics that help control the bacteria that cause ulcers. Incorrectly boiling the leaves is the main cause of gallbladder disease and ulcers.

Another problem associated with consuming O. Burkwoodii is that the roots pose some danger due to their high levels of lead. This is primarily due to the fact that the fragrant plant “can reach toxic levels in the bloodstream when consumed.

2. What is Osmanthus? Does it have any health benefits?

Osmanthus is a small flowering tree related to the olive. It grows in China, Korea, and Japan and is also known as Sweet Osmanthus, Chinese Sweet Olive, Japanese Sweet Olive, and Sweet Olive. It originates from China and is a common ingredient in traditional Chinese herbal medicine.The vegetable oil in these leaves and flowers is essential to the plant’s life cycle and essential to maintaining the health of the plant. The oils used to make O.Burkwoodii tea are not a type of alkylamide, which means the vegetable oil is not acidic. However, there are some O.Burkwoodii oolong teas that are, which means that they contain acids.

If you’re currently cooking up some oolong tea, this is a great ingredient that you can add into your recipe. It turns out that the beverage is going to have a bit more of a flavor boost compared to using a pure vegetable oil blend.

The overall flavor of eating or drinking tea made from the plant is one of uplifting and brightening effects. If you’re looking for a fragrant tea for yourself, or want to embrace its power to improve your mood and energy levels, you can always try O.Burkwoodii, and if you prefer something more straightforward with sugar and milk, you can always give O.Refoothing a tea that’s been steeped for less than a day leaves an overall bitter aftertaste that’s not too bad, especially if you normally like your teas with a bit of sweetness.

However, if you’re looking for a tea that gives you a gentle uplifting effect or offers your first dose of caffeine in the morning, it’s probably best not to make an oolong tea. Because O.Burkwoodii actually has caffeine!

Osmanthus may increase a person’s alertness but it doesn’t have any particularly high levels of caffeine per deciliter, and you can still still be alert with just a couple of cups. The caffeine, among other factors, may make you sleep slightly more deeply because of the wakeful effect.

3. Why should you drink Osmanthus tea? Is it beneficial to your health?

Osmanthus tea is a type of herbal tea made from the Osmanthus fragrans plant. It’s often used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been used in cooking for centuries. Osmanthus tea is made with the Osmanthus fragrans flower, which is also called the tea olive.It’s shipped and sold in dried flowers, dried leaves, or in pressed extract.

Osmanthus is also known for its historically significant medicinal properties. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long recognized its medicinal benefits. In fact, it is one of the four major medicinal plants in the Chinese passage of the National Bio- TechSupplement Database (NBAD) — the’s the only plant to appear in that list.

Prescribed for a variety of conditions from skin inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, tai chi, and traditional Chinese medicine, the widespread use and benefits of O.Burkwoodii tea have made its cultivation a popular area for Botanical Restoration Centers.

Modern research has concurred that O.Burkwoodii tea has numerous benefits. The most studied of its constituents is caffeine, which is a chemical component of coffee and tea. However, Royal Jelly, a type of polysaccharides, is a specific component of the tea that gives it its delicate flavor. Other research has found that R.O. Lee, another polysaccharide, possess antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has also been shown to improve circulation and intestinal health — making it an effective remedy for Crohns disease.

In an incense burn, the potent aroma and flavor from burning O.Burkwoodii tea creates a pleasing aroma and flavor in your home. Incense burners, for the health conscious, can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure by burning off unwanted plant matter. It has also been recommended for easing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.

However, there are some cons to drinking O.Burkwoodii tea or burning its leaves for medicinal purposes.

According to Healthline,

The leaves, which contain caffeine and flavonoids, are left to steep for a half-hour to two hours, depending on the species.

4. What are the side effects of consuming Osmangus tea?

Osmangus tea is an herbal remedy used to treat fever and infections. The tea is made from the bark of the Osmangus tree, which is found in West Africa. Although the tea is generally considered safe, it is not without risks. The UK's National Health Services lists common side effects as including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches.

However, according to Joe Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, guzzling Osmangus tea is unlikely to cause any harm.

Though an herbal remedy, tea consumption is probably not something you should undertake in high doses, as the National Institutes of Health notes.

Pickling the leaves into a cocktail is generally not as safe as drinking the tea, as it doesn’t involve using a living organism. So if drinking the tea makes more sense for you, you can’t go wrong.

The leaf, though fragrant, contains an opioid class of compound called 8-iodo-propanediol, that has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Indeed, it was used as an analgesic and fever-reducer by Hippocrates, believed to have been the inventor of modern day Chinese medicine.

However, if you’re looking for a cough suppressant, there are safer alternatives to choose from.

With no known toxicity, a 150ml bottle of Osmangus tea is about the size of an aspirin pack. It could come in handy for cold and flu season. Our very own Dhakani Pure Premium Black Tea from Desserts of New Zealand would also serve you well, as it’s available online.

Osmangus tree bark has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 3,000 years. It has antioxidant properties, and although not full of calories, the leafy plant nutrients are known to help with weight loss.

The chemical compound in Osmangus that gives the tea its bright green color is quercitrin, and is used to give the tea its fragrance. It is also in the roots of the plant, and some people love the floral scent of Osmangus tea.