Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea (Camellia sinensis)

There has been so much written about the benefits of green tea, it is hard to know what is real and what is not. Green tea is obtained from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub known as Camellia sinensis. All tea types are derived from this same plant.

The history of green tea dates back to nearly 5000 years ago and the Chinese tradition is rich in folk lore tales about the healing powers of this beverage.

Tea is produced in a number of places in the world, but it is the Chinese green tea which has emerged as the one with mythological healing powers.

Tea has been widely used in Chinese ceremonies and was first observed to make individuals stay awake and also urinate just as much.

Green tea is also known as camellia tea, Chinese tea, thea bohea and Matsu-cha.

Green tea has been touted to have healing powers, but most of these claims are based on folk lore and there is little scientific evidence to back many of the claims of this beverage. The varied conditions for which green tea has been used medically are:

- Cancers

- Alcoholism

- Gum disease

- Inflammatory bowel disease

- Constipation

- Peptic ulcer disease

- Diarrhea

- Ischemic heart disease

- Dementia

- HIV

- Kidney stones

- Infections

- Cataracts

- Arthritis

- Brain infections

- Prostate hypertrophy

- Parkinson's disease

- Nausea and vomiting

Dosing

Green tea is always consumed as a beverage. However, for medical healing the amount of green tea to be consumed is very variable. There are no standard doses and for how long it must be consumed. The different brand names have different doses or cups to be consumed.

Green tea has been recommended for all adults. It is available as a drink and contains about 50 mg of caffeine and about 80-00 mg of polyphenol. Capsules of green tea have also become available and the dose is variable. There are no rigid recommendations on what the exact dose is for what disorder.

Some individuals consume anywhere from 1-10 cups of green tea a day.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.