“Green Tea”
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