What is it?

There are really only three categories of teas: green, oolong, and black. Each of these is the leaf of Camellia sinensis and differs only in duration of fermentation: "black" is fully fermented, "oolong" is partially fermented, and "green" is not fermented at all, only steamed. Types of tea such as Ceylon and Darjeeling refer to the region in which they are grown.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract is a bioflavonoid-rich, potent extract which is used primarily for fighting free radicals. It has a high content of polyphenols, which are a class of bioflavonoids.

How does Green Tea help my health?

The polyphenols in green tea are catechins, with multiple linked ring-like structures. Polyphenols are a form of bioflavonoids with several phenol groups. They control both taste and biological action. The dominant and most important catechin in green tea is (-) Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), a potent antioxidant which is used for food production, as well as in animal research studies. The phenol groups capture pro-oxidants and free radicals. EGCG is over 200 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing the pro-oxidants and free radicals that attack lipids in the brain, in vivo. It is 20 times more potent than vitamin E in reducing formation of peroxides in lard by the Active Oxygen Method, in vitro

What is great about green tea is its ability to ward off many types of cancer. Much of the initial evidence that green tea is anti-carcinogenic is based on epidemiological studies which show lower rates of many types of cancer among populations such as Japan and China that drink green tea as part of a daily cultural habit. Recently, however, controlled studies on green tea extract have yielded impressive results, identifying the polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as the responsible component. EGCG is able to force certain cancer cells into a situation in which, incredible as it may seem, they must die or be killed; the cancer cells die in a sort of cellular suicide, a condition scientists call "apoptosis". It helps block the cancer-promoting actions of carcinogens, ultraviolet light, and metastasis from an original site in the skin, stomach, small intestine, liver or lung. Further evidence shows EGCG as having an inhibitory effect on the enzyme, urokinase, which is required for tumor formation, thus preventing the formation of tumors in the first place. Not only are the polyphenols in green tea protective against certain cancers, but they are also potent antioxidants. EGCG also reduces platelet aggregation about as much as aspirin or Ginkgo Biloba extract. Green tea is very effective in inhibiting pathogenic bacteria that cause food poisoning, but increases levels of acidophilus (friendly) bacteria. 500 mg catechins (>= 250 mg EGCG) daily regularized bowel habits significantly. Green tea also blocks the attachment of the bacteria associated with dental caries to the teeth. Green tea's antioxidants have been shown to be highly beneficial to the heart - they help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

The Facts...

• One cup of green tea contains from 100-200mg of EGCG.
  Green tea should not be steeped in boiling water, but hot water (around 160-200 degrees). Use 1 Teaspoon of loose tea per cup, and a little more than 1 cup of water.
• Epidemiological studies have examined green tea drinkers; controlled studies have largely been done on the extract of green tea.
• Decaffeinated green tea does not show the same benefits as green tea left in its natural state.
• Adding milk negates green tea's beneficial properties.
• Black tea may increase the incidence of certain cancers. Don't drink it.
• Green tea has been show to be anti-bacterial, able to kill the potentially deadly Staphylococcus aureus and the bacteria that causes acne, Bacterium acne.
• More than 5 cups a day may increase your odds for pancreatic cancer; 1-4 cups shows only benefits, so 1 or 2 cups a day is probably just right.
• Used primarily for its free radical fighting capabilities
• EGCG protects against digestive and respiratory infections

TOXICITY, CAUTIONS & CONTRA-INDICATIONS: Green tea extract is non-toxic both in acute dosage and high long-term dosage (no significant effect on weight gain at 2% of the diet in 3 months in rats). It has no potential for causing mutations or birth defects, and has no adverse effect on fertility, pregnancy or nursing.

What to Look for: A Green Tea Extract capsule that is at least standarized to 90% Polyphenols with a guaranteed level of 55% epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and supported by whole Red Clover Blossoms and contains a minimum of 170mg of green tea leaf extract. If a green tea extract contains red clover extract, all the better, as it is part of the famous Hoxey Formula for treating cancer, especially lymphatic cancer.

Dosage: 1 capsule a day of the above would be equal to about 2 cups of tea.