Camellia oleifera, commonly known as tea oil camellia or oil-seed camellia, is a member of the Theaceae family. Native to China and widely cultivated in East Asia, this evergreen shrub or small tree is prized for its seeds, which are used to produce tea seed oil—a cooking and seasoning oil highly regarded for its health benefits.

Botanical Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Ericales
Family: Theaceae
Genus: Camellia
Species: C. oleifera

Plant Characteristics

Camellia oleifera can grow up to 10 meters tall, but is often smaller in cultivation. It has glossy, dark green leaves and bears fragrant white flowers that bloom in the fall. The plant's seeds are encased in a tough capsule and are harvested in the late fall or early winter.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The seeds of Camellia oleifera are rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, which is known to be beneficial for heart health. The oil also contains antioxidants such as squalene, vitamin E, and polyphenols, which contribute to its nutritional and preservative properties.

How to Cultivate It

1. Soil: Prefers well-drained, acidic soil rich in organic matter.
2. Light: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
3. Water: Requires regular watering, especially during dry periods, to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil.
4. Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9, and needs protection from severe winter frosts.

Uses and Benefits

Camellia oleifera oil is used extensively in cooking, especially in Chinese cuisine, for its mild flavor and high smoke point, making it suitable for frying and sautéing. It is also used in the cosmetics industry as a moisturizer and to treat skin conditions due to its emollient properties.

Applications

• Culinary: The oil is a staple in Chinese kitchens for cooking and salad dressings.
• Medicinal: Used in traditional medicine to lower cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health.
• Cosmetic: Incorporated into creams, lotions, and hair care products for its hydrating properties.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Camellia oleifera is a sustainable crop that can be cultivated with minimal environmental impact. It does not require extensive pesticide use, making it a relatively eco-friendly option for oil production. 

Cultivators should practice sustainable harvesting to ensure the longevity and health of the plants. The oil is safe for consumption and topical use, with no significant health risks associated with moderate use.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Cheng YT, Lu CC, Yen GC. Beneficial Effects of Camellia Oil (Camellia oleifera Abel.) on Hepatoprotective and Gastroprotective Activities. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2015;61 Suppl:S100-2. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.61.S100.

Abstract. Epidemiological studies have shown that increased dietary intake of natural antioxidants is beneficial for health because of their bioactivities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammation actions. Camellia oil made from tea seed (Camellia oleifera Abel.) is commonly used as an edible oil and a traditional medicine in Taiwan and China. Until now, the camellia oil has been widely considered as a dietary oil for heath. In this review, we summarize the protective effects of camellia oil with antioxidant activity against oxidative stress leading to hepatic damage and gastrointestinal ulcers. The information in this review leads to the conclusion that camellia oil is not only an edible oil but also a vegetable oil with a potential function for human health.

Xiao X, He L, Chen Y, Wu L, Wang L, Liu Z. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Camellia oleifera Abel components. Future Med Chem. 2017 Nov;9(17):2069-2079. doi: 10.4155/fmc-2017-0109.

Abstract. Camellia oleifera Abel is a member of Camellia, and its seeds are used to extract Camellia oil, which is generally used as cooking oil in the south of China. Camellia oil consists of unsaturated fatty acids, tea polyphenol, squalene, saponin, carrot element and vitamins, etc. The seed remains after oil extraction of C. oleifera Abel are by-products of oil production, named as Camellia oil cake. Its extracts contain bioactive compounds including sasanquasaponin, flavonoid and tannin. Major components from Camellia oil and its cake have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antimicrobial and antitumor activities. In this review, we will summarize the latest advance in the studies on anti-inflammatory or antioxidative effects of C. oleifera products, thus providing valuable reference for the future research and development of C. oleifera Abel.

Peng Y, Zhou H, Zhang A, Guo Y, Xie L, Yuan D. Natural products from Camellia oleifera fruit and its comprehensive utilisation. Nat Prod Res. 2024 Jun 20:1-17. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2369228. 

Abstract. Camellia oleifera (C. oleifera) is a woody oil plant with a good reputation of 'Oriental Olive Oil' in China. The national understanding of the health-care benefits of Camellia oil are already widespread, but the production of C. oleifera fruit has not been achieved large-scale industrialisation. In this review, we focus on the properties and commercial value of its natural products, and processing technology, performance characterisation, and novel modification strategies of its processed products. In addition, we briefly summarised the research progress of breeding and put forward the comprehensive utilisation of C. oleifera fruit based on the tandem of extraction and processing. This review might attract more researchers to make profound study regarding it as an alternative of olive oil.

Chilakala R, Moon HJ, Kim K, Yang S, Cheong SH. Anti-obesity effects of Camellia (Camellia oleifera Abel) oil treatment on high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. Phys Act Nutr. 2023 Jun;27(2):50-61. doi: 10.20463/pan.2023.0018. 

Abstract. Purpose: In the current study, we investigated the effects of camellia oil and camellia oil infused with herbs (Camellia oleifera Abel) on obesity in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: The antioxidant activity of camellia oil in scavenging free radicals was investigated. Additionally, body and organ weight changes, serum and liver marker parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, liver and epididymal fat histology, protein and gene expression associated with lipogenesis and hyperglycemia effect on adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, were examined in HFD-induced obese mice....Conclusion: For many people, exercise poses an obstacle in the daily routine due to lack of ease, difficulty in maintaining consistency, and hard work. Camellia oil combined with herbs has anti-obesity and antihyperglycemic effects. These findings indicate that treatment with herb-infused camellia oil is most beneficial for elderly individuals who do not prefer frequent exercise.

Yang G, Qi Z, Shan S, Xie D, Tan X. Advances in Separation, Biological Properties, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Triterpenoids Derived from Camellia oleifera Abel. J Agric Food Chem. 2024 Mar 6;72(9):4574-4586. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c09168. Epub 2024 Feb 22. 

Abstract. Extensive research has been conducted on Camellia oleifera Abel., a cultivar predominantly distributed in China, to investigate its phytochemical composition, owning to its potential as an edible oil crop. Pentacyclic triterpene saponins, as essential active constituents, play a significant role in contributing to the pharmacological effects of this cultivar. The saponins derived from C. oleifera (CoS) offer a diverse array of bioactivity benefits, including antineoplastic/bactericidal/inflammatory properties, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, as well as hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the isolation and pharmacological properties of CoS. Specially, we attempt to reveal the antitumor structure-activity relationship (SAR) of CoS-derived triterpenoids. The active substitution sites of CoS, namely, C-3, C-15, C-16, C-21, C-22, C-23, and C-28 pentacyclic triterpenoids, make it a unique and highly valuable substance with significant medicinal and culinary applications. As such, CoS can play a critical role in transforming people's lives, providing unique medicinal benefits, and contributing to the advancement of both medicine and cuisine.