Green tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, which undergo minimal oxidation during processing, resulting in a more delicate flavor and a higher concentration of antioxidants compared to other types of tea.

Green tea is a popular beverage known for its refreshing taste and potential health-promoting properties. It has been consumed for centuries in various cultures and continues to be enjoyed worldwide for both its flavor and potential health benefits.

Green Tea Varieties

There are various types of green tea, each with its own unique flavor profile and characteristics. Some popular varieties include; Sencha, Matcha, Gyokuro, and Dragon Well (Longjing).

In addition, Green Tea is often mixed with other ingredients, such as: Green tea with Lemon, Green tea with Vanilla, Green tea with Ginseng.

Active Ingredients in Green Tea

Green Tea is well-established as a potent source of healing antioxidants called polyphenols, the same beneficial compounds found in fruits and vegetables and even in red wine.

The leaf also boasts the presence of a superstar antioxidant called EGCG (epigallocatechin-gallate) as well as other notable healing substances including fluoride, catechins, and tannins. Tannins are thought to help the body discharge toxins due to pollution and to accelerate the metabolism of fats.

Here are some key characteristics and components of green tea:

Minimal Oxidation: Green tea leaves are typically steamed or pan-fired immediately after harvesting to halt the oxidation process, preserving their natural green color and flavor.

Rich in Antioxidants: Green tea contains a variety of antioxidants, including catechins such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which have been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved heart health, and potential cancer-fighting properties.

Caffeine Content: Green tea naturally contains caffeine, although typically in lower amounts compared to coffee. The caffeine content can vary depending on factors such as the variety of tea leaves, brewing method, and steeping time.

Vitamins and Minerals in Green Tea

Chemical analysis has revealed that green tea contains significant amounts of water-soluble vitamins and minerals particularly zinc, manganese, potassium, niacin, folic acid and vitamin C. In fact, one cup of green tea has more vitamin C than an orange.

Researchers at the University of Kansas attributed green tea with 100 times the antioxidant strength of vitamin C, and 25 times that of vitamin E. A United States Department of Agriculture study found that the antioxidant capacity of green tea is better than twenty-two various fruits and vegetables.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea has been the focus of exciting new studies indicating its effectiveness in raising metabolism for weight loss and preventing and fighting cancer, as well as other disease, with its super antioxidants.

Green tea has been associated with several health benefits, including; improved brain function, weight management, reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, lower risk of certain types of cancer, regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, boost the immune system, prevent ulcers, ease mental fatigue, treat digestive tract infections, control inflammation, cure viral colds and flu, prevent gum disease, cavities and bad breath. It also been indicated for lowering cholesterol, preventing heart disease, osteoporosis and blood clots.

The Chinese often use Green tea to treat migraine headaches. It can also help to prevent plaque buildup on the teeth, and since the leaves contain a natural fluoride, may be helpful in preventing tooth decay.

Many of these health benefits are attributed to its high antioxidant content. The medicinal claims made for green tea haven’t all been examined outside a laboratory setting, specifically in clinical trials that assess the plant’s health effects in people. However, the pure research findings are exciting and there certainly appears to be no harm in integrating this extract into your daily diet.

Below we will look into some of these health benefits in more detail:

Green Tea Lowers Cholesterol

Green tea helps in treating high cholesterol, high triglycerides, hypertension, and stimulates immune functions. Green tea may actually lower the risks for arteriosclerosis. Research has shown that it guards against cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels, improving the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, reduces platelet aggregation (clumping or clotting of blood cells), and lowers blood pressure.

Lose Weight with Green Tea

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition conducted a study in 1999 in which it was found that green tea extract significantly increased energy expenditure (a measure of metabolism), and fat oxidation in men who took a green tea extract as opposed to a placebo or caffeine alone.

The researchers felt that this study had wonderful implications for weight control. The study indicated a nearly 40% increase in daytime thermogenesis. In other words, dieters would burn 40% more fat during the day with Green Tea Extract. It can also help to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.

Green Tea to Prevent cancer

The antioxidant EGCG found in Green tea sets in motion a process called apoptosis, which is cell death. Interestingly, the cell death that ensues only affects cancer cells, not healthy ones. EGCG may well enhance the body’s natural antioxidant system as well, encouraging the elimination of damaging oxygen molecules called free radicals.

Hasan Mukhtar, Ph.D., professor at Case Western Reserve University and a prominent researcher in this area, believes there is:

“a strong indication that green tea is protective for prostate as well as esophageal and stomach cancers.”

Green Tea and Reduced Cancer Risk

In a large-scale study of more than 35,000 post-menopausal Iowa women (American Journal of Epidemiology, 7/96), those who drank two or more cups of tea daily were less likely to develop cancers of the urinary or digestive tract.

One large-scale study in China found that people who drank as little as one cup of green tea a week for six months had a reduced risk of developing certain kinds of cancers (rectal, pancreatic, and others) than did people who drank green tea less frequently or not at all. Other preliminary research indicates that green tea can help to combat breast, stomach, and skin cancer.

In addition, evidence from the Nurses’ Health Study suggests that green tea beverage consumption is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer, lung cancer, and cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. In a physiologic study, green tea beverages drunk with meals inhibited the development of nitrosomines (carcinogenic compounds) in human volunteers.

Applying Green Tea to Skin Cancer

Scientists have discovered that applying green tea to the skin can help cure and prevent some forms of skin cancer and other skin disorders, protect the skin from both long-term and short-term damage from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and act as an antibacterial agent when applied to skin infections.

Green Tea for Prostate Cancer

Japanese men, who commonly drink four to six cups of green tea daily, have a significantly lower mortality rate from prostate cancer than Westerners. And the incidence of prostate cancer in China, whose population consumes green tea regularly, is the lowest in the world. Evidence from a growing number of animal and lab studies suggests that green tea may be protecting these men against prostate cancer.

A Mayo Clinic study this past year found that the main polyphenol in green tea, called EGCG, inhibits the growth of prostate cancer cells and in high concentrations destroys them. Scientists at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland reported recently that green tea polyphenols inhibit an enzyme that is over-expressed in prostate cancer, indicating that green tea might be effective in prostate cancer prevention. 

In addition, a preliminary study by Japanese researchers at Kobe University showed that mice fed a green tea extract and then injected with a substance that causes prostate cancer were less likely to grow tumors than control animals.

Treat Arthritis with Green Tea

Antioxidants in green tea may prevent and reduce the severity of Osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that if you consume approximately four cups of green tea a day you may be able to protect yourself from developing arthritis, and if you already have arthritis, consuming green tea can help to diminish the inflammation it causes.

In an animal study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 1999, researchers found that polyphenols, the antioxidants found in green tea, reduced the likelihood of developing a type of arthritis similar to human rheumatoid arthritis.

Not only was the polyphenol group less likely to develop arthritis but, in those who did develop the condition, the disease occurred later and was milder than that which occurred in the water-drinking group. Of 18 animals drinking polyphenols, only eight developed arthritis, compared with 17 of 18 mice in the control group.

According to the investigators:
“Based on our data, it is tempting to suggest that green tea in general, and the polyphenols present therein in particular, may prove to be a useful supplement/addition with other agents for the treatment of arthritis.”

How to Take Green Tea

Preparation: Green tea is typically brewed with hot water (not boiling) and steeped for a short period, usually 1-3 minutes, to avoid bitterness. It can be enjoyed plain or with added flavorings such as lemon, honey or mint.

Always take care when taking herbs and Read Our Disclaimer.

Green Tea Herb Notes / Side Effects

Green tea contains caffeine and as such should not be used in large quantities while pregnant or nursing or by people who are avoiding consuming caffeine.

Latin Name

Camellia sinensis

Common Name

Green Tea

Properties of Green Tea

Anti-viral, antioxidant, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, analgesic, astringent, cardiotonic, digestive, nervine and carminative.

Green Tea is Indicated for:

Fighting Cancer. Preventing Cancer. Lowering Cholesterol. Preventing Heart Disease. Facilitating weight loss and fat oxidation. Can reduce the risk of heart disease, strokes and several types of cancer. Helps regulate blood sugar. Prevents or lowers high blood pressure. Boosts the immune system. Helps prevent ulcers. Slows the aging process. Controls inflammation. Reduces blood cholesterol. Fights viral colds and flu. Prevents gum disease, cavities and bad breath. Can help prevent osteoporosis and blood clots. Helps stabilize blood lipids, high triglycerides and hypertension. May lower the risks for arteriosclerosis. Improves the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol. Reduces platelet aggregation.