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Green Tea

Posting Date: 08/26/2002

Topical application of EGCG from green tea in animal experiments stopped the development of skin cancer after exposure to a carcinogenic chemical.

Polyphenols from green tea can also protect skin from ultraviolet radiation (UV-B) damage, acting essentially as a natural sunscreen.

Because of its high tannin content, tea has traditionally been used to treat mild diarrhea.

The caffeine content in tea has a stimulant effect on the brain and can increase alertness.

The theophylline content can aid bronchodilation in mild cases of asthma, and the astringent properties of the beverage, applied topically, have been used in China for skin problems.

Dose

There is very little information on a desirable dose of green tea. Approximately 2 g of tea is used with 250 ml of boiling water.

To treat diarrhea, the solution steeps for ten minutes to extract the most tannins. Two to three cups daily are appropriate.

Caffeine dissolves rather quickly in hot water, within approximately two minutes, and one cup can have a stimulant effect.

Large doses of green tea, up to nine or ten cups daily, were associated with cardiovascular benefit in the early epidemiological studies. These results have not been confirmed.

Daily use of green tea by much of the population in China and Japan suggests that no strict time limits on administration need be observed.

Special Precautions

You really have to drink a lot of green tea to get into trouble.

High doses of caffeine have been linked to infertility and birth defects. Large amounts of green tea are therefore not recommended for pregnant women or those attempting to conceive. Caffeine is detectable in breast milk after the mother consumes a caffeine-containing beverage.

The diuretic effects of caffeine and theophylline may put a strain on kidneys with pre-existing problems.