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This page contains information on green tea and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments to treat ailments and problems, such as asthma, cancer and periodontal disease.
On this page
Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Theaceae |
Genus and specie |
Camellia sinensis |
None noted.
It is a large shrub with white flowers and is indigenous to Asia and China, but commercially grown in Africa, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The young leaves and buds are normally used.
The same plant is used to produce green, black and oolong tea. When green tea is made the leaves are rapidly dried, while black tea is first fermented and then dried and oolong tea is only partly fermented before drying.
The tannins interact with proteins and are astringent and also have antioxidant activity. One of the polyphenols in green tea -
epigallocatechin galate (EGCC) is thought to be 200 times more powerful than vitamin E for neutralizing free radicals. It contains caffeine as well as triterpene saponins, carotenoids and non-protein amino acids (theanine, 2-amino-6-ethylamidoadipinic acid).
- Internal use
- The theophylline found in green tea relaxes the smooth muscles supporting the bronchial tubes and this can therefore reduce the severity of an asthma attack.
- The polyphenols have shown cancer protecting properties, which is thought to be attributed to blocking cancer causing compounds. The catechin, on the other hand, provides some form of protection when cancer radiation treatment is used.
- It furthermore has a protective effect on the liver and is also useful for people suffering from diabetes.
- When drinking green tea, it helps to prevent the formation of plaque on the teeth, which in turn helps to control periodontal disease.
- In some studies green tea has shown good results in fighting the flu virus. The antioxidant effect it has helps to keep wrinkles at bay by neutralizing free radicals.
- External use
- Green tea is often included in anti-aging skincare products for the antioxidant properties contained in the herb.
- It has three major benefits – that being a powerful antioxidant and thereby reducing free radical damage in the skin, a potent anti-inflammatory agent thereby reducing inflammation in the skin, and most importantly having a inhibitory action on collagenase – an enzymatic action in the skin where the collagen is broken down, resulting in more firm and elastic skin.
- The flavonoids and catechols in green tea provide it with vitamin P properties and the tannins in its chemical composition give it astringent properties, whereas the polyphenolic compounds also act as an astringent, but also protecting the skin, and later bring about vasoconstriction, reducing inflammation in the affected area and finally cell regeneration is caused as well as a wound healing activity.
- In hair care it can be used with great success to improve the gloss and shine of the hair as well as the tensile strength.
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
When pregnant or nursing only limited amounts of green tea should be used, and it can also interfere with MAO inhibitors and blood thinning medication.
It should not be consumed together with other medication, as it may interfere with the absorption of such medicine.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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You are as young as your faith, as old as your fear and as long as your heart receives messages of beauty, cheer,
courage, grandeur, and power - from the earth, from man and from the Infinite - so long will you stay
Ageless. |
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