Green Tea

Published on by kelly80charlie04

“Green Tea”

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Chinese have been drinking ‘Cha”, or tea, since approximately 3000 B.C. – seeing it as a good stimulant, astringent for clearing phlegm and a digestive remedy.

Botanical Name: Camellia sinensis

Common name: Green tea

Family: Theaceae

Parts Used: Leaf (fresh growing). Black tea is a fully fermented variety.

Active Constituents:

  • Caffeine (2-4%)
  • Theobromine
  • Theophylline
  • Phenolics – phenolic acids, gallotannins, flavonol glycosides
  • Triterpene saponins
  • Carotenoids
  • Non protein amino acids

Qualities: Bitter-sweet, drying & cooling (Ody)

“Better to be deprived of food for three days, than of tea for one.” – Ancient Chinese saying

Actions:

  • Stimulant
  • Antioxidant
  • Antibacterial, anti viral (in vitro)
  • Possible antimutagent
  • Anticarcinogenic
  • Diuretic
  • Thermogenic


Especially active in the blood & on the vasculature
Reduces oxidised LDL
Mild mental stimulant & contributes to a sense of calm

 

Indications:

  • Mild acute diarrhoea
  • Oxidative stress
  • Topically – relief of skin disorders
  • Cardiovascular risk reduction
  • Hypertension?
  • Chemoprevention

Cardiovascular risk
Oxidative stress in connective tissue (e.g. CT inflammatory diseases)
Reduced cognition secondary to autoimmune processes

Contraindications: None known

Cautions: ** Contains caffeine ** – CNS stimulation and diuresis possible if consumed in large amounts. Tannins can impair iron absorption, separate dose by 2 hours

Sufferers from irregular heartbeat, pregnant women & nursing mothers should limit intake to 2 cups daily – high levels of caffeine-like alkaloids can increase heat rate (Ody).

People with stomach ulcers should avoid excessive consumption as tea’s bitter taste may stimulate gastric acid production.

Dosage: Tablet form equiv to dry leave 4g 1-2/day 3-5 cups per day

Combinations: Vitis, Curcuma, Rosmarinus (anti-ox compound)

OTHER USES:

  • INFUSION: Drink after meals to help guard against tooth decay
  • POULTICE: Place damp green tea leaves on insect bites to reduce itching & inflammation
  • COMPRESS: Use a pad soaked in weak green tea to make an emergency first aid treatment to ease bleeding from cuts & grazes

References: 

Ody, Penelope (1998). The Herb Society’s Complete Medicinal Herbal. Milan: Dorling Kindersley

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