Tea

Oolong (has a safety note)

BotanicalCamellia sinensisAlso calledOolong tea, Wulong

A partly oxidized tea that sits between green and black: toasty, floral and smooth, with a moderate amount of natural caffeine.

* Safety note: Contains caffeine and can interact with some medicines; read the cautions first. Read the cautions

Oolong, leaf

Oolong is made from the same tea plant as green and black tea, but it is only partly oxidized. The leaves are bruised, allowed to darken a little, then fired to stop the process. The result lands somewhere in the middle: rounder and less grassy than green tea, lighter and more floral than black tea, often with a toasty, honeyed finish.

Tea has no place in classical Ayurveda, and modern Ayurvedic writers speak of black and green tea rather than oolong in particular. What they say still fits: tea is astringent and drying, gentler than coffee, and something to enjoy in moderation, especially when vata is running high.

Ayurvedic Properties

Not described in classical Ayurveda; modern Ayurvedic writers describe it as astringent and drying, gentler and less heating than coffee, and best in moderation for vata. These notes come from Banyan Botanicals writing about black and green tea; oolong sits between the two.

RasaTastes
  • Astringent
  • Bitter
  • Sweet
ViryaHeating or cooling
Neutral
VipakaPost-digestive effect
Not known
AgniEffect on digestion
Gently supports agni

Mellow and lightly astringent, it is often sipped with rich meals and sits easily after eating.

GunaQualities
  • Light
  • Dry
TridoshaEffect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha
  • Vata: increases in excess
  • Pitta: decreases, in moderation
  • Kapha: decreases
  • decreases (calms that dosha)
  • increases (can aggravate it)
  • neutral or balancing
  • not known
  • V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha

Kapha tends to enjoy oolong's light, drying lift. Pitta usually does fine with a cup or two. Vata types may feel the dryness and the caffeine, so keep it earlier in the day and take it with food.

Traditional Uses

  • Traditionally used to support comfortable digestion alongside rich or oily meals.
  • Traditionally used to support gentle, steady alertness.
  • Traditionally used to support a slow, sociable tea ritual shared with others.

How People Use It

  • TeaUse 1 to 2 teaspoons of leaf per cup with water just off the boil (around 190 to 200 F). Steep 3 to 5 minutes. Oolong opens up over several infusions, so keep the leaves and steep them again.
  • WaterFor a lighter iced tea, cold brew 2 teaspoons of leaf in a jar of cool water in the fridge for 8 hours, then strain.
Try This

Oolong with Rose and Cardamom

A fragrant afternoon cup, soft enough to sip slowly.

  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons oolong
  • 1 green cardamom pod, lightly crushed
  • 1 teaspoon dried rose petals
  1. Bring the water to a boil and let it rest for a minute.
  2. Place the oolong, cardamom and rose in a teapot and pour the water over.
  3. Steep for 4 minutes, then strain into cups.
  4. Add fresh water to the leaves later for a second, lighter pot.

Pairs Well With

Cautions

  • Oolong contains caffeine. Tea in general provides about 14 to 60 mg per cup. Too much caffeine can cause restlessness, a fast heartbeat, headaches, poor sleep and stomach upset.
  • If you are pregnant, might be pregnant or are breastfeeding, keep caffeine moderate and ask your doctor or midwife how much is right for you.
  • Oolong comes from the same plant as green tea, which can lower blood levels of some medicines (for example nadolol and raloxifene). Caffeine also interacts with some stimulants, antibiotics, asthma medicines and heart medicines. Check with your health care provider if you take any medicine.
  • Check with your doctor first if you have heart rhythm problems, high blood pressure, reflux, ulcers, migraines, or a sleep or anxiety condition.
  • Please consult a qualified practitioner or your doctor before drinking oolong in large amounts.

In Our Shop

Organic Oolong Tea

Organic Oolong Tea, from $7.00. Weighed and packed by hand at our Rockville Centre studio.

Shop Oolong →

Sources and Further Reading

This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.