Ballerina tea is an infusion that has gained popularity due to its association with weight loss and other potential health benefits. But research into its effectiveness is lacking.
What is Ballerina Tea?
Ballerina tea, also available under the brand name 3 Ballerina tea, is an herbal infusion marketed for its potential to promote a slim and agile figure. Its name originates from the idea that it helps you achieve a slim and agile figure, much like that of a ballet dancer. However, research only supports some of its health claims.
Key Ingredients and Their Effects
Though some blends of ballerina tea include a variety of ingredients to improve flavor, such as cinnamon or lemon, its main components are two herbs - senna (Senna alexandrina or Cassia angustifolia) and Chinese mallow (Malva verticillata). Both have traditionally been used for their laxative effects, which are exerted via two mechanisms:
- Speeding digestion: This is achieved by promoting contractions that help move the contents of your intestine onward.
- Creating an osmotic effect: Where electrolytes are released into your colon and increase the flow of water, making your stools softer.
The active elements in senna and Chinese mallow are water-soluble, which is why users consume them in the form of tea.
Weight Loss Potential: A Closer Look
Its ingredients have laxative effects and cause your body to excrete a lot of fluid, ridding it of water weight. Some people drink ballerina tea for this particular purpose. However, senna and Chinese mallow don’t act upon the metabolism of fats. Thus, the lost weight consists mainly of water and is quickly regained once you drink more liquids. There is no research that shows these ingredients’ ability to help you lose weight long-term.
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Health Benefits Beyond Weight Loss
Antioxidant Properties
Antioxidants are substances that help prevent or reduce cell damage. Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant commonly found in plants that helps protect against cellular damage and may reduce disease risk. Numerous studies show that a higher intake of flavonoids significantly reduces the risk of death from heart disease.
Relief from Constipation
The laxative properties of ballerina tea may make it a natural and affordable remedy for constipation. Chronic constipation impairs quality of life and can cause complications in severe cases. Treatment is essential. According to a 2021 study of people with chronic constipation, those taking a laxative containing senna significantly improved bowel movement frequency compared to a control group taking a placebo.
However, research also shows that long-term use of senna as a laxative may cause side effects, such as diarrhea and electrolyte imbalances, and even temporary liver damage. Also, ballerina tea contains less senna than concentrated supplements, so it’s unclear whether the tea would have the same effect on constipation.
Caffeine-Free Alternative
Some people can’t start the day without their caffeine fix, while others may try to avoid it for personal or health reasons. For some, caffeine intake may cause insomnia, sensory disturbances, restlessness, irregular heartbeat, and other adverse effects. Unlike many other teas, ballerina tea is caffeine-free. Yet, consumers online still report that ballerina tea provides an energy boost, which they attribute to the loss of water weight it causes.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
Researchers advised that people with kidney and liver diseases should not use these products. Research also shows that the laxative effects of the senna in ballerina tea depend on how much of the active components you consume. Drinking these on a regular basis for a long period of time will cause digestive problems. The consistent use of the laxative stimulates your bowels, signaling your body to stop performing that function itself when it becomes dependent on the stimulant for so long. If the detox tea contain stimulants, there may be elevation of heart rate and blood pressure along with a possibility of feeling on edge, jittery and anxious. Another troubling result of detox tea use is dehydration. The teas contain diuretics that make you lose a lot of water, which is why you might see the scale drop by 5 lb. or so for a few days.
Read also: Enjoy Keto Chinese Without the Guilt
Chinese Herbs for Weight Loss: An Alternative Approach
There are endless strategies for losing weight, but the key to healthy, long-term weight loss is finding natural ways that work specifically for you. A healthy diet and physical activity are often the cornerstones of weight loss, but if you’re looking to drop pounds safely and naturally, supplementing with Chinese herbs can be beneficial, too. These well-researched Chinese herbs are thought to help in the treatment of obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and more. Many Chinese weight loss herbs are available as supplements in capsule form, so they’re easy to take daily with a morning glass of water. Make it a habit, like brushing your teeth, and you’ll see the most consistent effects. Some of these herbs can be sipped as a tea or nibbled as a dry root, and a few can be snacked on as sweet, fruity treats.
Popular Chinese Herbs for Weight Loss
- Ginseng: This Chinese herb was discovered more than 5,000 years ago and has long been used in Asia for centuries as a remedy for all kinds of ailments. Ginseng root may also support weight loss by changing the composition of our gut microbiome, the complex assortment of “good bacteria'' dwelling within our digestive system. Supplementing with this safe, natural herb can potentially work to balance gut microbiota and help the body shed weight while staying energized and vibrant. You can consume ginseng in tea, or as a supplement in capsule or tablet form.
- Adenophora: This traditional Chinese herb comes from a flowering plant that grows across Asia. Adenophora also has a demonstrated anti-obesity effect, possibly thanks to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, according to research. This herb is usually taken as a capsule or tablet.
- Green Tea: The history of green tea in China reaches back thousands of years to the Han Dynasty, when it was used medicinally for longevity and overall well-being. (Legend has it that green tea was discovered when an emperor accidentally drank from a cup of water that had a leaf in it.) Today, studies show its power as an obesity-fighting herb. Green tea boosts the metabolism and helps burn fat. Green tea comes with a long list of potential health benefits in addition to weight loss, such as mental alertness, digestive relief, and headache relief. Some research also suggests that consuming green tea may help with blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Codonopsis: This mild yet powerful herb is among the most commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. While it's also known for its immune-boosting effects, when it comes to weight loss, several studies show a link between codonopsis root and decreased body weight, particularly in the context of a high-fat diet. Extracts, dried slices, capsules, and powders are all available.
- Poria Cocos: Actually a type of mushroom, this herb plays a unique role in the weight loss arsenal: It works as a gentle diuretic to help shed excess water weight so you can feel lighter almost instantly. Interestingly, poria cocos mushrooms have also shown promise against the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, as it helps clear certain plaques from the brain. Poria cocos can be taken as an easy-to-use supplement and is found in WTHN's digestive support supplement called Daily Digestion. It also has a demonstrated anti-obesity effect which may make black atractylodes root an appealing addition to your weight loss toolbox.
- Mulberry: The mulberry tree has been cultivated in China for over 2,000 years, with juicy red-to-black berries and lush green leaves. This plant works for weight loss in a fascinating way: its extract inhibits the breakdown of certain carbohydrates, in effect lowering the glycemic index of those carbs. That means the food is less likely to raise blood sugar, part of a cascade of events closely tied to weight loss.
- Fennel: Fennel is known in holistic medicine as a remedy for certain abdominal issues, in addition to other uses in digestion, breathing, and immunity. This Chinese herb may work for weight loss by preventing the body’s accumulation of excess fat. Its seeds are also sold on their own, or ground into powders and capsules.
- Ginger: With medicinal origins in ancient China and India, ginger has been used for millennia as an herbal tonic (and flavorful culinary ingredient). Ginger can be brewed in teas, incorporated in cooking and baking, taken as a supplement, or all the above.
Chinese herbs can help with weight loss in more than one way. Some are thought to curb appetite and limit the amount of food consumed, while others prompt the body to burn fat, and still others act by decreasing systemic inflammation, which is interwoven with metabolism. Each herb has unique properties that determine exactly how it works, and all of them can be natural, effective additions to your routine, as culinary ingredients to eat, teas to drink, or supplement capsules to take with water. Many Chinese herbal teas support weight loss. Ginger, fennel, and more are often consumed as teas, along with the classic green tea.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, practitioners look for the root of the issue, often originating with an imbalance in the flow of Qi, or vital energy. For weight loss, the approach is the same: An acupuncturist or herbalist can help pinpoint the source of any essential imbalances, then put thoughtfully and holistically together a treatment plan to help your body reach a healthy, sustainable weight. From a traditional Chinese perspective, physical movement could include martial arts or tai chi. And the TCM perspective on nutrition and weight loss draws on the seasons of nature, with five distinct seasons determining what your body needs: Summer, Late Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring.
The Dangers of "Teatox" Culture
The detox teas - sometimes referred to as “teatox” or “flat tummy teas” - that are being heavily promoted on social media claim to be natural and packed with healthy ingredients, such as Chinese oolong tea, mate leaves, peppermint, ginger, and lemongrass. However, there is one ingredient that has doctors concerned: Senna leaf. Most physicians agree that the best way to lose weight remains maintaining a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and staying hydrated.
The secondary issue of the constant advertising of these teas is the negative self-image it promotes. Social media, the main avenue for this particular product, has been known to contribute to negative body image as it is. Much of the debate surrounding diet trends discusses how the commercialized standard for physical beauty is toxic and harmful to those who may already feel insecure. Consumers should always be careful when buying products on the internet-particularly from social media, and particularly products that you put into your body. Keep in mind that under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, the makers of dietary supplements like these teas do not need approval from the Food and Drug Administration before selling their products. Influencers and celebrities are everywhere, promoting the teas they drink on their blogs and social media pages.
Read also: Enjoy Chinese Food on Keto
Examples of Detox Teas and Their Ingredients
- Green Tea: Green tea is one of the most popular teas globally, made from steaming the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Green tea boosts the metabolism and helps burn fat.
- Oolong Tea: In Chinese culture, oolong tea is known for its health benefits. The antioxidants in oolong tea make it even more effective for weight loss than green tea. It boosts the metabolism, helps detoxify the liver, and improves insulin sensitivity.
- Rosehip Tea: Rosehip tea is made from the crushed seeds and rose hips of the rose plant. Rosehip tea is a natural weight loss solution thanks to its high levels of antioxidants, and vitamin C. Antioxidants are essential for fighting the aging and damaging effects that free radicals have on the body.
- Milk Thistle Tea: The leaves of the milk thistle plant have been used for centuries to treat liver diseases and are now sold as a natural weight-loss supplement.
- Rooibos Tea: Rooibos tea is a type of red tea that is naturally caffeine-free and high in antioxidants. Rooibos tea helps the body in a number of ways that make it effective for weight loss. It boosts the metabolism and helps the body burn fat.
When you’re ready to give these loose leaf teas for detoxification and weight loss a try, make sure that you are getting them from a trusted source like Just Organic Tea. All of our teas are made with organic ingredients, so you’re getting all the benefits of tea free from any harmful chemicals.
Additional Detox Tea Ingredients
- Le Cassia Tora (Semen Cassiae): A wild plant native to India and Southeast Asia, known for its numerous healing benefits.
- Lotus: A plant used and highlighted by the Chinese since ancient times.
- Pogostemon cablin: A tropical plant mainly grown in Asia.
Year-Round Detox Tea Recipe
This detox tea is great all year-round, especially in the wintertime when we are more prone to getting sick and often over-indulge around the holidays. This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold. It is based on seven powerful ingredients that have been used for centuries in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as well as other cultures.
- Turmeric: age-related diseases· Contains anti-cancer properties · Good for arthritis, depression and Alzheimer's disease· Has been shown to decrease metastasis and angiogenesis of active tumors.
- Ginger: Helps reduce nausea, pain and inflammation · Slows progression of Osteoarthritis · Helps control blood sugars · Decreases muscle pain · Anti-cancer · Helps with Alzheimer's and dysmenorrhea ( painful menses )
- Cinnamon: The bark from the south east Asian tree · Helps decrease blood sugars · Increases insulin sensitivity· It is a great polyphenol antioxidant · Decreases LDL (bad) cholesterol· Great antimicrobial · Decreases inflammation · Slows neurodegenerative disease
- Black peppercorns: Contains piperine which make curcumin 2000 times more absorbed in the body· Increases dopamine and serotonin release· Strengthens immune function · Improves memory · Has a thermogenic metabolic effect (which helps with weight loss)
- Lemon/Lime: Acts as a liver/gallbladder flush · Helps balance blood pH· Is a great source of vitamin C (helps us from getting sick)
- Manuka honey: A special honey from New Zealand · Has wound healing properties · Great anti-microbial properties · Helps treat H.Pylori (causes gastritis) overgrowth in the gut
- Water: Hydrating· Detoxifying· Critical for life
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Detox Herbal Ingredients
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Liver Cleanse Ingredients
Learn more about the principal herbs in this healing blend and their liver-supporting properties. Formulated based on Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine, our Liver Cleanse Tea is an invigorating blend designed to support both the physical and energetic functions of the liver.