Evidence supporting the use of: Kukicha
For the health condition: Stress
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Kukicha, also known as twig tea, is a Japanese green tea made from the stems, stalks, and twigs of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). Its use for stress is primarily supported by tradition rather than robust scientific evidence. In Japanese culture and macrobiotic dietary practices, Kukicha is considered a gentle, low-caffeine beverage believed to promote relaxation and balance due to its mild flavor and purported alkalizing properties. This traditional use aligns with the general notion that warm, non-stimulating herbal teas can provide comfort and aid in stress reduction through ritual and relaxation, rather than through direct pharmacological action.
However, scientific studies specifically investigating Kukicha’s effect on stress are lacking. While green teas contain the amino acid L-theanine, which has been shown in clinical studies to promote relaxation and reduce stress, Kukicha contains less L-theanine than traditional green tea leaves, as it is made primarily from twigs and stems. Therefore, any calming effect is likely to be less pronounced. There are no clinical trials or strong scientific data directly supporting Kukicha’s use for stress beyond the general relaxing effects associated with drinking warm, non-caffeinated teas. For these reasons, the evidence rating for Kukicha's use in stress is low, and its use is justified more by cultural and traditional practices than by scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Stress
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
alpha-pinene
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
bergamot
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
sesame
black tea
bonito peptide
bupleurum falcatum
California poppy
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
cordyceps
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
dong quai root
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish protein
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gardenia
gotu kola
green tea
guayusa
heartwood
hibiscus
hops
jujube
kava
kudzu
L-Ornithine
L-taurine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus helveticus
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lavender
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
liquid liver fractions
maca
magnesium
magnolia
matcha
melatonin
mint
motherwort
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
oat
passionflower
Peppermint
perilla
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
pine bark
polygala root
pregnenolone
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
relora® (proprietary)
rhodiola
rose oil
saffron
sceletium
black ginger
skullcap
spearmint leaf
spinach
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
mulberry
whole adrenal glandular
zinc
sarsaparilla
suma
jiaogulan
catnip
cardamom
anise
fumaria parviflora
bee pollen
lingzhi
kanna
silk tree
oriental arborvitae
anemarrhena asphodeloides
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
noni
wood betony
biota seed
goji berry
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
star of Bethlehem
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Aralia
Arjuna
Akebia
Antler
Agastache
Agrimony
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Arginine aspartate
Albizia
Anserina
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Algal protein
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Black spruce
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Banyan
Brahmi
Bacopa
Buddha's Hand
Borage
banana
Bifidobacteria
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centella triterpenes
Monkey Flower
Clary sage
Chinese Mountain Ant
Codonopsis
Coriander
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Chinese Fleeceflower
Chuchuhuasi
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Coca
Chocolate
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Catuaba
C-Phycocyanin
cypress
Cowslip
Calamus
Cherimoya
Convolvulus prostratus
Corydalis
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Canscora
Dismutase
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Devil's Club
Date
Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z/Etetraenoic Acid Isobutylamide
Eplotab
Erythrina
Emblicanin
Eurycoma Longifolia
Fo-Ti
Fragrant Rosewood
Ficus religiosa
Fish
Frankincense
Flavones
Goldthread
Gelsemium
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
gum
Galactooligosaccharides
Glycine
Gastrodin
Honokiol
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Hypericum
Hericium mushroom
Honeybush
isoliquiritigenin
Japanese Kadsura
jasmine
Jujubosides
Jatamansi
Kavalactones
Kukicha
Kola Nut
Kuding tea
Lycium
lemon balm
Lactucarium
Linden
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactucopicrin
Limonene
Longan
Lavandin
Lotus
Leptadenia
Large-Leaved Linden
Lupulinum
Lactalbumin
Mentha haplocalyx
Macamides
Mandarin
Maral Root
Mangiferin
Myrcene
Mung Bean
Marjoram
Mimulus
Mistletoe
Methylxanthine
Mimosa
Meadow sage
Mate
Magnolol
Mulungu
Macaenes
Mesembrine
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea caerulea
Oolong Tea
Orchid
Oxindole alkaloids
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
Piper chaba
Patchouli oil
Pepper Bark Tree
Pentatropis capensis
Passionfruit
Poppy
Pistachio
Polygala
Purple Monkeyflower
Rosavins
Rosabin
Rauvolfia
Rehmannia
Rose
Rooibos
Speedwell
Sumbul
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Salidroside
Safed musli
Sarivan
Shankhpushpi
Sweet Woodruff
Schisandrins
Sida cordifolia
Semecarpus anacardium
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Schizandrol A
Shataverins
Sandy Everlasting
Shilajit
Saffranal
Tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids
Traveler's Joy
Trichilia catigua
Taxillus chinensis
Trichopus zeylanicus
Taurine
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria
Vetiver
Valerenic acid
Vine tea
Vitexin
Viburnum
Verbena
Vanilla
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthine
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Xanthone
Yuzu
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Yumberry
yohimbine
Ylang ylang
Other health conditions supported by Kukicha
Addictions (coffee, caffeine)Colds (general)
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Insomnia
Nausea and Vomiting
Stress