Medicinal Herb: GREEN TEA
Scientific or Botanical Name: Camellia sinensia
Tea is second world's most popular beverage. All types of the tea, green, black and oolong, are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant using different methods. Tea's species name, sinensis, is a reference to China where the tea culture got start. Tea's historical origins are intertwined considerable legend and myth. According to one of those legends, the fabled Chinese emperor Shen Nong took the first slip of tea by chance in 2737 B.C. when dried leaves of the tea bush accidentally fell into a pot of boiling water, tinting it a light brown and transforming it into a refreshing drink. Tea spread from China to Japan in the 12th century. The Dutch East India Company brought the first tea to Europe in the early 1600. In recent times, It has become more popular in the West, where black tea has more traditionally been consumed. It is primarily green tea that has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian herbal medicine for many centuries.
.jpg "Green tea - Camellia sinensis") |
| Source: National Geografic |
Camellia sinensis is by far the most widely used of the 120 species of Camellia. The tea plant has been cultivated in China for almost 5 000 years. It is a highly variable evergreen shrub growing form 3 to 50 feet in height. The leaves are elliptical, leathery, 2 to 5 inches long and up 2 inches wide, dark green and glossy. White flowers about an inch across with 7 to 8 petals growing solitary or in clusters. Fresh leaves from the plant are steamed to produce green tea, ensuring that they undergo minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea has become the raw material for extracts which are used in various beverages, health foods, dietary supplements and cosmetic items, and many varieties have been developed in the countries where it is grown, varieties which can differ substantially one from the other due to the various conditions under which they have been grown and processed. The beverage is made from the young leaves and buds of the tea plant. Different processing methods produce tea with varying chemical profiles, and therefore flavors, as well as various medicinal attributes. Only the tips of the young leaf shoots are used in tea, in essential oil, perfumes and food flavorings.
Green tea regular drinkers of the substance may develop a lower risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Green tea has long been valued as stimulant, a diuretic, an astringent to control bleeding and help heal wounds, and a tonic for improving the condition of the heart and blood vessels. Traditionally, green tea was given to promote digestive health and to regulate blood sugar. Green tea contains high concentrations of powerful antioxidants, aids in reducing inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, may thwart diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, promote weight lose, and inhibit or even prevent the growth of many types of cancer.
Tea contains polyphenols are strongly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and are thought to combat atherosclerosis, to increase HDL or good cholesterol, and to weakly thin the blood. Tea also contains small amounts of caffeine and theophylline, compounds with stimulating effect. The combined effect of these and polyphenols may help people to love weight by shifting metabolism and burning fat. Green tea also is thought to be beneficial in cancer prevention. Those who regularly drink green tea may have lower rates of some cancers, such as breast or colorectal cancer. Others therapeutic properties of tea helps stomach problems, osteoporosis, headaches, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease, aids chronic fatigue syndrome, dental cavities, kidney stones, skin damage, stamina and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
HOW TO USE
Infusion:
1 teaspoon of tea leaves in a cup of hot water, steeping time depends partly on desired strength. For weight loss, weight loss maintenance, and cancer and heart attack prevention, 4 to 6 cups daily may be necessary. Adding milk to tea may decrease the absorption of polyphenols; the most medicinally effective cup of tea is made with just water, perhaps with a bit of sweetener to taste.
Capsule:
Capsules of dried tea leaves standardized to polyphenol content are available; generally, dosage is 500 mg once or twice daily.
Side effects:
Contains caffeine, which may alter sleep patterns in some cases. Do not drink more than five cups a day.
Precaution:
Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding or if there are pre-existing and kidney problems, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, diabetes, irritable bowls syndrome (IBS), glaucoma, hypertension.
There are few problems with tea, though some people feel restless and anxious as a result of the caffeine.
Green tea extract have been associated with a few reports of liver toxicity.
Green tea regular drinkers of the substance may develop a lower risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. Green tea has long been valued as stimulant, a diuretic, an astringent to control bleeding and help heal wounds, and a tonic for improving the condition of the heart and blood vessels. Traditionally, green tea was given to promote digestive health and to regulate blood sugar. Green tea contains high concentrations of powerful antioxidants, aids in reducing inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, may thwart diabetes by regulating blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel diseases, promote weight lose, and inhibit or even prevent the growth of many types of cancer.
.jpg "Green tea - Camellia sinensis") |
| Source: National Geographic |
Tea contains polyphenols are strongly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and are thought to combat atherosclerosis, to increase HDL or good cholesterol, and to weakly thin the blood. Tea also contains small amounts of caffeine and theophylline, compounds with stimulating effect. The combined effect of these and polyphenols may help people to love weight by shifting metabolism and burning fat. Green tea also is thought to be beneficial in cancer prevention. Those who regularly drink green tea may have lower rates of some cancers, such as breast or colorectal cancer. Others therapeutic properties of tea helps stomach problems, osteoporosis, headaches, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease, aids chronic fatigue syndrome, dental cavities, kidney stones, skin damage, stamina and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
HOW TO USE
Infusion:
1 teaspoon of tea leaves in a cup of hot water, steeping time depends partly on desired strength. For weight loss, weight loss maintenance, and cancer and heart attack prevention, 4 to 6 cups daily may be necessary. Adding milk to tea may decrease the absorption of polyphenols; the most medicinally effective cup of tea is made with just water, perhaps with a bit of sweetener to taste.
Capsule:
Capsules of dried tea leaves standardized to polyphenol content are available; generally, dosage is 500 mg once or twice daily.
Side effects:
Contains caffeine, which may alter sleep patterns in some cases. Do not drink more than five cups a day.
Precaution:
Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding or if there are pre-existing and kidney problems, stomach ulcers, bleeding disorders, diabetes, irritable bowls syndrome (IBS), glaucoma, hypertension.
There are few problems with tea, though some people feel restless and anxious as a result of the caffeine.
Green tea extract have been associated with a few reports of liver toxicity.
