Shennongjia Eucommia Tea

Shennongjia Eucommia Tea

　　1. Historical Legend

　　According to ancient Chinese texts, the name "Eucommia" comes from a man named Du Zhong who discovered that after drinking a decoction made from the bark of a certain tree, his body became remarkably light, his ailments disappeared, and his strength was restored. Thus, the tree came to be known as the Eucommia tree.

　　 In ancient times, there was a physician named Du Zhong. One day while gathering herbs in the mountains, he happened to notice white, thread-like fibers resembling "tendons" inside the bark of a tree. He wondered if humans who consumed these "tendons" would become as strong and resilient as the tree. Determined to find out, he decided to try them. Within a few days, not only did he experience no adverse effects, but he also felt more energized, with his waist and legs feeling lighter. After taking them for some time, a miracle occurred — he not only became light-bodied and healthy, with glossy black hair, but he also achieved enlightenment and became an immortal. Upon learning about this plant, people began calling it "Sīxiān" (Thinking of the Immortal) or "Sīzhòng" (Thinking of Du Zhong), and eventually it simply came to be called "Du Zhong."

　　2. Tea Overview

　　Eucommia, also known as silk-thread bark, pulled-silk bark, silk-cotton bark, jade-silk bark, or Sīzhòng, is a deciduous tree species. It is unique to China and holds high economic value. Due to its scarcity, it has been designated by relevant Chinese authorities as a national second-class protected and precious tree species. Major production areas include Zhangjiajie in Hunan, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Guizhou, and the Shennongjia region of Hubei.

　　3. Health Benefits

　　(1) Blood Lipid Regulation

　　Research has shown that Eucommia tea, scientifically processed from Eucommia leaves, has significant blood lipid-regulating properties.

　　(2) Blood Pressure Reduction

　　Trials have shown an overall effectiveness rate of over 92%.

　　(3) Weight Loss

　　Continuous consumption of Eucommia tea for over a month can noticeably reduce neutral fat content under the skin and around internal organs, helping prevent obesity and contribute to weight loss without exercise or changes in diet. Eucommia promotes the metabolism of collagen proteins, which connect cells, and accelerates the synthesis of other proteins, thereby consuming internal energy and naturally reducing stored neutral fat. Based on related weight loss data, continuous use of Eucommia for a month can lead to a weight loss of 1.5–2.0 kg.

　　(4) Kidney Tonic Effect

　　The famous ancient Chinese pharmacologist Li Shizhen recorded in his book *Compendium of Materia Medica* that "Eucommia enters the liver and tonifies the kidneys, supplements vital essence and qi, strengthens tendons and bones, sharpens the mind, and treats kidney-deficiency back pain. Long-term consumption makes one light-bodied and resistant to aging." Eucommia has been classified as a top-grade traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years.

　　　 Scientific research has proven that the chemical composition of Eucommia leaves and bark are fundamentally similar, with nearly equivalent pharmacological efficacy. They stimulate the pituitary and adrenal cortex systems, continuously enhancing adrenal function (promoting steroid hormone secretion), improving sexual function, and thus proving effective for erectile dysfunction, nocturnal emission, and kidney qi deficiency.

　　(5) Liver Protection

　　Eucommia tea promotes the accumulation of liver glycogen and increases blood sugar levels, protecting the liver.

　　(6) Bowel Regulation and Diuresis

　　It is particularly effective in treating constipation. The aucubin found in Eucommia tea has diuretic, laxative, and intestinal motility-enhancing effects, which help with constipation. Since organic Eucommia tea effectively removes bodily waste and breaks down cholesterol and hard fats, individuals with sensitive constitutions may initially experience slightly loose stools, but normal function resumes once toxins are cleared and the body adjusts. As a result, it is widely regarded as an excellent beverage for those suffering from constipation or obesity, helping relieve constipation, reduce fat, stabilize blood pressure, and also offering diuretic benefits.

　　(7) Enhanced Immune Function

　　It possesses anti-viral capabilities that can damage the human immune system and enhances non-specific immune responses.

　　(8) Cardiovascular Regulation

　　It plays a role in regulating cardiovascular function.

　　(9) Anti-inflammatory, Antiviral, and Pituitary–Adrenal Cortex System Enhancement

　　— Patients with "kidney yang deficiency" often exhibit impaired adrenal cortex function. Eucommia stimulates the pituitary–adrenal cortex system, enhancing adrenal performance.

　　(10) Sedative and Analgesic Effects

　　It has notable sedative effects.

　　(11) Lowering cholesterol:

　　It can promote the synthesis and decomposition of collagen protein in the skin, bones, and muscles, helping to boost metabolism and prevent aging.

　　(12) Inhibiting uterine contractions:

　　It helps restore the uterus from a contracted state back to normal.

　　(13) Anti-tumor activity:

　　Eucommia contains aucubin and geniposide, which have anti-tumor properties. Its anti-cancer effects may also be related to beta-carotene.

　　(14) Anti-aging effect:

　　Eucommia accelerates the metabolism of collagen protein in the human body, helping to prevent aging. Long-term use of Eucommia can improve blood circulation and metabolic functions, speed up the metabolism of intercellular collagen, enhance brain cell activity, prevent senile dementia, and thus delay the aging process.

　　(15) Beauty and hair care benefits:

　　Skin aging is mainly caused by the loss of elasticity in collagen proteins between dermal cells. Eucommia can delay the aging of these proteins, accelerate their metabolism, and enhance their synthesis ability, thereby preventing or delaying the appearance of wrinkles and skin aging, and increasing skin luster. Since hair is primarily composed of keratin protein rooted in the inner root sheath (which consists of 70% collagen protein), Eucommia can activate keratin, improve hair texture, making hair shinier and reducing hair loss. Human trials in Japan have shown that Eucommia can turn white hair black. This research has been patented in Japan. It can also make nails more flexible and glossy. Lipofuscin and age spots are related to the production of OH radicals in human skin due to sun and ultraviolet exposure. Eucommia is rich in various active ingredients that can eliminate free radicals. Experiments have proven that it can remove age spots on the faces of elderly people as well as various skin spots on younger individuals.