7 Science-Backed Bissy Tea Benefits (Kola Nut Tea)

Jamaican bissy used to make bissy (kola nut) tea

Bissy Tea Benefits are more than folklore, they’re backed by science. Traditionally brewed from the kola nut, Bissy tea has been cherished for its energizing, circulation-enhancing, and digestion-supporting benefits across African and Caribbean cultures for centuries.

Quick Glance: Bissy Tea Benefits

Short on time? Here’s a quick look at what a cup of Bissy Tea (Kola Nut Tea) can do for your body:

  • Your Jitter-Free Energy & Focus Secret: Delivers smooth, sustained energy without the crash or caffeine jitters.
  • Promotes Optimal Blood Flow for Heart Health: Helps keep your circulation strong and steady, supporting a healthy heart.
  • Natural Antimicrobial Defense: Fights off harmful microbes naturally to help protect your immune system.
  • A Powerful Shield Against Oxidative Stress: Neutralizes free radicals to reduce cellular damage and premature aging.
  • Soothes Indigestion and Eases Bloating: Calms your digestive system and relieves uncomfortable bloating.
  • Supports a Healthy Metabolism: Encourages efficient nutrient processing and energy production.
  • Flushes Toxins and Supports Natural Cleansing: Gently helps your body eliminate waste and feel refreshed from within.

7 Benefits of Bissy Tea

Long used in traditional Jamaican medicine, this energizing tea is now boasts a range of heath benefits backed by modern research. Let’s explore seven science-supported reasons to sip on a cup of Bissy tea.

Boosts Energy and Mental Alertness

Bissy tea naturally contains caffeine and theobromine1 two powerful compounds that stimulate the Central Nervous System and help give you the gentle pick-me-up you need. Unlike the jittery buzz often associated with coffee, Bissy tea offers a smoother boost in energy and focus that keeps you feeling sharp and productive.

Supports Cardiovascular Health

Bissy tea may support heart health when consumed in moderate amounts. One study of healthy human volunteers2 confirmed Bissy theobromine acts as a natural vasodilator, improving blood flow and helping your blood vessels relax. This is important for maintaining balanced blood pressure and overall cardiovascular health.

Fights Harmful Germs and Fungi

Research shows that Bissy tea has impressive antimicrobial properties3. Studies found that extracts from the kola nut can inhibit the growth of bacteria like E. coli and fungi such as Candida albicans. Regularly enjoying a cup may thus support your body’s natural defense against common pathogens.

Rich in Antioxidants

Bissy tea is packed with powerful antioxidant properties4 which protect the body from free radicals that damage healthy cells leading to the risk of chronic diseases. Drinking the tea regularly is a simple way to support your body’s resilience and vitality.

Aids Digestion and Soothes the Stomach

Traditionally used to calm indigestion and nausea, Bissy tea supports healthy digestion. Studies suggest it helps stimulate digestive enzymes5, helping the body break down food more efficiently to ease bloating and boost nutrient absorption. A warm cup after a heavy meal can be both soothing and refreshing.

May Help with Weight Management

Looking for a natural metabolism boost? The stimulants in Bissy tea can increase your metabolic rate6 and encourage your body to burn calories to produce heat. While not a magic weight-loss solution, Bissy tea can be a supportive addition to a balanced lifestyle and fitness routine.

Natural Body Detox

While bissy tea is technically not a “detox” in the medical sense, its bioactive compounds, such as Caffeine, Theobromine, and Tannins, support your body’s natural cleansing processes. Bissy tea acts as a natural diuretic 7 by encouraging increased urine production.

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Bissy Tea Benefits For Women

Women in particular can enjoy some awesome benefits of Bissy Tea.

  • Menstrual Support: Traditionally, Bissy tea has been used to help ease menstrual discomfort. Its natural stimulant properties may help reduce fatigue and improve circulation, potentially alleviating cramps. 
  • Hormonal Balance: Some sources suggest that Bizzy tea may support hormonal health by promoting metabolism and energy levels, which can be beneficial during hormonal fluctuations.
  • Skin Health Protection: Bissy tea benefits for skin are linked to its rich content of antioxidants. Bissy antioxidants support skin health by offering protection from environmental damage particularly as women age. 

How to Make Jamaican Bissy Tea

To make Jamaican Bissy tea, pour a cup and a half of water into a small pot and add two tablespoons of Bissy powder. Boil for 7 to 10 minutes, then remove from heat and let it sit for three to four minutes.

Strain the tea into a cup, discarding the sediment. For a creamier version, add cream, sugar, and half a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg. Enjoy Bizzy tea while it’s warm.

How long does It take for bissy tea to work? Many people feel the effects within 30 minutes to an hour, especially if they’re feeling sluggish or bloated. For general “body cleansing,” the tea is traditionally taken one of two times a day.

Serving Size and Frequency

  • Begin with a small serving of 4 ounces (half a cup) to assess tolerance
  • Standard serving: 8 ounces (1 cup)
  • First-time users: Start with 1 cup per day, preferably in the morning
  • Regular consumption: No more than 2 cups daily
  • Consider taking occasional breaks from regular consumption

Special Considerations

  • Due to its high caffeine content, avoid consumption within 6 hours of bedtime
  • Do not exceed 2 cups daily, as excessive consumption may lead to caffeine-related side effects
  • If using for digestive upset, consume on an empty stomach for best results
  • For detoxification purposes, proper hydration with water throughout the day is recommended alongside bissy tea.

Bissy Tea Side Effects

While bissy tea offers several potential benefits, it’s important to consume it in moderation due to its high caffeine content. Excessive consumption may  lead to side effects such as: insomnia, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, nervousness, anxiety, or digestive issues.

If you experience any of these side effects, stop consuming the tea immediately and seek medical care.

What is Bissy?

half open bissy pods exposing fressh bissy seeds
semi-open bissy pods exposing encased bissy kola nuts

Bissy is the Jamaican name for the warm, earthy herbal tea brewed from the nuts of the Cola acuminata tree.

This tropical tree produces dark green, husky pods that hold several seeds, each wrapped in a smooth, cream-colored casing.

Bissy is traditionally valued in Jamaican culture for its energizing and cleansing properties.

Bissy tea (sometimes spelt (bizzy or busy) offers a naturally rich flavor and a gentle stimulating effect, making it both a cultural staple and a wellness favorite.

Health Benefits of Bissy

What is Bissy Good for? Bissy nuts has several bioactive compounds8 that may make a significant contribution to your health and wellness efforts. Here are some of its key compounds:

Bissy Bioactive CompoundsWhat They Do For The Body
AlkaloidsBissy alkaloids affect the central nervous system contibuting to the stimulating effects of Bizzy tea. They may also have analgesic properties.
FlavonoidsKnown for their antioxidant properties, flavonoids in Bissy help protect healthy cells from damage. This can contribute to potential anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective benefits for the body.
SaponinsThese compounds in a cup of bissy tea may help lower cholesterol levels and improve immune function while indirectly contributing to bissy tea detox benefits.
Tannins These are polyphenolic compounds with astringent properties. Tannins can also help digestion by binding to proteins in the digestive tract, which can help reduce inflammation and irritation.
PhenolicsPhenolic compounds are another group of antioxidants found in Bissy seeds. They play a role in combating oxidative stress which is associated with various health benefits, including serious diseases like cancers.

Who Should Avoid Bissy

In you are one of the following groups you may want to avoid drinking bissy tea, or at least limit its comsumption:

  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
  • Individuals with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or caffeine sensitivity.
  • Not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
  • You take prescription or over the counter medications.

You may also like

Since you are interested in bissy tea benefits,you may want to check out these other herbal teas with similar benefits:

Where to Buy Bissy

You can find Organic Bissy at least three formulations in your local grocery store or from online marketplaces. Here are available options along with their pros and cons to help you choose what’s right for you.

Available FormProsCons
Bissy Tea BagsConvenient and easy to prepare.May have lower potency compared to freshly grated kola nuts.
Kola Nut PowderVersatile, can be used in different recipes.Requires preparation and careful dosing.
 Kola Nut ExtractEasy to take and store.Lack the traditional tea drinking experience and may contain additives.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. So, if you buy a product after clicking a link, I may receive a small commission. There’s no extra charge to you. See full disclosure.

Final Thoughts

Jamaican Bissy tea offers a natural, scientifically supported way to aid detoxification. But while Bissy tea detox benefits are highly regarded by traditional medicine practioners, sciene-backed evidence is still emerging.

Remember to consume the in moderation and seek professional advice if you have any health concerns. By staying informed and considering both traditional knowledge and modern science, you can make better decisions about incorporating bissy tea into your routine

References

  1. Starin D. Kola nut: so much more than just a nut. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2013;106(12):510-512. doi:10.1177/0141076813507708 ↩︎
  2. Baggott, Matthew J et al. “Psychopharmacology of theobromine in healthy volunteers.” Psychopharmacology vol. 228,1 (2013): 109-18. doi:10.1007/s00213-013-3021-0 ↩︎
  3. Sonibare, Mubo Adeola et al. “Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of four species of Cola Schott & Endl. (Sterculiaceae).” African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM vol. 6,4 518-25. 3 Jul. 2009, doi:10.4314/ajtcam.v6i4.57182 ↩︎
  4. Adesanwo, Julius K., et al. “Chemical analyses, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of extracts from Cola nitida seed.” Journal of exploratory research in pharmacology 2.3 (2017): 67-77. ↩︎
  5. Ibu, J. O. et al. (1986) ‘The effect of Cola acuminata and Cola nitida on gastric acid secretion’, Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 21(sup124), pp. 39–45. doi: 10.3109/00365528609093780. ↩︎
  6. Barcelos, Rômulo P et al. “Caffeine effects on systemic metabolism, oxidative-inflammatory pathways, and exercise performance.” Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) vol. 80 (2020): 1-17. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2020.05.005 ↩︎
  7. Manvi et al. “Role of Plant Bioactive as Diuretics: General Considerations and Mechanism of Diuresis.” Current hypertension reviews vol. 19,2 (2023): 79-92. doi:10.2174/1573402119666230612115220 ↩︎
  8. Ekalu, A., & Habila, J. D. (2020). Phytochemistry, pharmacology and medicinal uses of Cola (Malvaceae) family: a review. Medicinal Chemistry Research, 29(12), 2089–2105. ↩︎

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2 Comments

  1. Impressed. Try to form; used to drink this before going to school as a child. I had the need to resort to old practices and as well, I am impressed! Will makes this a daily habit for another week.

    1. I am glad you found the article helpful. All the best on you new direction!

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