Description

Perennial shrub plant, characterized by oval-oblong leaves and white-cream flowers and numerous yellow stamens. Its name comes from the famous 600 missionary and botanist Georg Joseph Kamel, latinized in "Camelius", and from the Latin "sinensis" which means "Chinese". According to a legend it was first cultivated in China during the empire of Shen Nung (2738 BC) initially used as a medicinal plant, it becoming popular only later as a beverage .

Parts used

Leaves

Origin

Native to the countries of south-east Asia in particular India, China and Assam today it is cultivated all over the world mainly in subtropical and tropical climate regions.

Properties and main applications:

Personal care: antioxidant - bleaching - skin conditioning. 

Nutraceutical: drainage of body fluids - balance of body weight - normal intestinal function - tonic (physical, mental fatigue) - antioxidant.

Curiosity

In ancient times traditional Chinese medicine already knew its properties attributing to the plant the power to heal headaches, to eliminate toxins and to preserve youth. Young girls would tuse it on their hair to make them stronger and brighter.