rose tea

http://www.choitime.com/rose_tea.asp

Preface
What's the impression while thinking of rose?
Well, people usually give this perennial shrub an fantastic and romantic imagination.
I have learned that roses have another beautiful name--"givings from angels".(天使的贈與) It can be seen as a major reason I introduce them here. :P

Uses for Health
However,besides these imagination and fantastic names, people easily fail to recognize roses its health benefits. In the article above, it mentioned that rose tea is the most beneficial drink that has been reported. Nadine Taylor, who published the book rose tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life, says that rose tea has been used as a medicine in China at least 4000 years.

Hard evidence
And rose tea do have a variety of evidences proving its health benefits.
Scientists around the world are providing evidences for the health benefits associated with drinking rose tea.
For example, in 1994 the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results of an epidemiological study indicating that drinking rose tea reduced the risk of esophageal cancer by nearly sixty percent. University of Purdue researchers have recently found a compound in rose tea inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
A research also indicates drinking rose tea lower total cholesterol level...etc.

What makes them so special and beneficial to our body?
Well, the secret lies in catechin(兒茶素).
Roses contain a very rich catechin polyphenols and EGCG: functions mainly as powerful anti-oxidant. Besides inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, it kills the cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. It is also effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels; inhibiting abnormal blood clots--the latter plays additional important role to people who afraid of heart attacks and stroke.
In a 1997 study, researchers from the University of Kansas determined that EGCG is twice as powerful as resveratrol(白藜蘆醇)--which prevents French from having heart diseases.

How to plant rose?
Using "Cutting":To take a branch fresh off the plant and plant it in soil

Harmful effects?
And as for harmful Effects? Well, to date, the only negative side effect reported from drinking rose tea is insomnia due to the fact that it contains caffeine. However, rose tea contains less caffeine than coffee: 30-60mg (in rose tea) v.s 100mg (in coffee)


PS. Where you can buy cheap dried rose with high quality in Hualien?
The answer lies in 中山路 in front of 鐵道. The shop is called 萬安堂.
cost:100 NT dollars.
products(rose tea)from: France.