The Medicinal Value of Matcha in Ancient Times

Yes, matcha indeed held medicinal value in ancient times. Originating in China's Song Dynasty (10th–13th centuries) as a powdered green tea, its precursor dates back to the Tang Dynasty (7th–10th centuries), when tea was widely used in traditional medicine. Key points include:

Historical Background

• During the Tang Dynasty, tea (including early forms of matcha) was documented in ancient texts like the Shennong Ben Cao Jing as a medicinal plant. In the Song Dynasty, matcha (called diǎn chá or "whisked tea") was used by monks and physicians to enhance mental clarity and treat ailments.
• After matcha was introduced to Japan in the 12th century, Zen Buddhists employed it to maintain alertness during meditation. It became integral to the tea ceremony culture, emphasizing its health benefits.

Primary Medicinal Functions

Ancient medicine attributed the following values to matcha:

• Mental Alertness: Its caffeine content alleviated fatigue and improved focus, commonly used in monastic practices.
• Heat-Clearing and Detoxification: In traditional Chinese medicine, tea’s cooling nature reduced "heat," neutralized toxins, and treated fever, headaches, and indigestion.
• Digestive Aid: Consumed after meals to promote digestion and prevent gastrointestinal illnesses.
• Antioxidant Properties: Rich in polyphenols, ancient people empirically used it to delay aging and boost immunity—though modern scientific concepts were absent.

Cultural and Traditional Medical Influence

• In China, matcha embodied the concept of "food and medicine sharing the same origin" and was often blended with herbs.
• In Japan, matcha evolved into the tea ceremony (e.g., the Sen no Rikyū school), emphasizing mind-body harmony. Its medicinal value was recorded in texts like the Kissa Yōjōki (Record of Drinking Tea for Nourishing Life).

In summary, matcha was not merely a beverage in ancient times but a vital medicinal resource, deeply rooted in East Asian traditional medicine.