Varietes of tea:
All the varieties of tea derive from two: the one that comes from the Chinese species Camellia sinensis sinensis and the variety that comes from the Hindu state of Assam, Camellia sinensis assamica. From these it is produced what is known as black tea and green tea. The first one ressults from the fermentation of the leaf, while in the second type of tea the process of fermentation is stopped by means of the heat that destroys the oxidizing enzyme,so the resulting product possesses some unequal characteristics in its composition, flavor, scent and aspect. By not permitting the enzymes to act , the dry plant continues maintaining a green aspect, producing the green tea. In the black tea, oxidase enzyme acts on the polyphenols producing its oxidation and transforming them in compounds that present a brownish coloration .Both types of tea maintain the same stimulating, digestive and circulatory properties., but the anticancerous properties related with the green tea, and attibuted fundamentally to the polyphenols, are eliminated in the process of fermentation to what the black tea is subjected. This makes that, from a phytoterapeutic point of view, it becomes more advisable to use the green tea.
Medicinal properties:
Internal use
- Astringent: With intestines prone to a excessive defecation, it is very useful to stop diarrheas. With low doses it has a benefitial influence for the stomach.
- Stimulant: It has a stimulating effect, being very advisible in cheerless spirits , or in those situation when a physical or mental effort is required. One should not overuse it with too much concentrated or repetitive preparations, which might produce irritaion in the digestive tract or palpitations.
- Antimigraine: By constraining the pericraneal blood vessels, caffeine, besides being a stimulant, relieves headache, resulting specially interesting with migraine. Caffeine is a component which appears in this plant with the highest proportion and can also be found in other plants as cocoa ( Theobroma cacao L ), cola ( Cola acuminata ), and coffee ( Coffea arabica L.) and in the flowers of some citrics , such as the orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) OSBECK ) or the lemon. (Citrus limon (L.) BURMAN f. )
- Diuretic: Being a stimulant , it is used as a diuretic in obesity treatments, since it increases micturition, discharging urine from the body. Its diuretic properties gives it power to get rid of body toxins, something that is very useful to treat some anomalies as urticaria.
- Circulatory system diseases: It dimimishes cholesterol, makes blood more fluid , energizes the heart and protects it from angina pectoris , arteriosclerosis or heart attack. Histidine constitues a good antiarteriosclerotic. Theanine, an amino-acid that can only be found in this plant, realises the same function, beside avoiding the formation of thrombus or blood clots, a property also accomplised by eugenol. Theobromine is a vasodilator and cardiotonic. It can be found in other plants in greater proportion, such as in cocoa ( Theobroma cacao L ) and cola ( Cola acuminata ), also in coffee( Coffea arabica L.) , but in less proportion than in tea.
- Memory loss: It is rich in antioxidants, naringenin and choline, so the infusions of this plant could be beneficial in case of lost of memory.
- Liver diseases: Grean tea protects the liver and has an antiviral action on this organ, making it suitable for the treatment of hepatitis. Their antioxidant properties may protect the degeneration of the liver and help prevent liver cancer or cirrhosis (Infusion of a spoonful of dried plant per cup of water. Take 3 cups a day)
Its antioxidant properties may protect the degeneration of the liver and help prevent liver cancer or cirrhosis due to degeneration of this organ caused by chemical poisoning. (Infusion of a spoonful of dried plant per cup of water. Take 3 cups a day)
- Hair loss: For its silica content, green tea is adequate to keep hair in good condition, treating seborrhea or dandruff , preventing baldness or dry hair (Infusion of a spoonful of dried plant per cup of water. Take one cup a day)
- Anticancerigenous: It has been praised the influence of green tea as anticancerigenous. This factor makes it different from black tea and makes it more advisable to drink it as a usual infusion. It's got many antioxidant properties, making it a real natural medecin to fight cancer or prevent its formation. Catechins, and specially epigalocatechine- gallate, are the main components that give it this properties. Besides these flavonoids, it is worth mentioning other components, considered tumoral inhibitors such as caffeine, amino-acids, quercetin and vitamin C.
- Alcoholism: It protects the liver and exerts an antiviral action on the liver. Its antioxidant properties may protect the degeneration of the liver and help prevent liver cancer or cirrhosis. (Infusion of a spoonful of dried plant per cup of water. Take 3 glasses per day)
External use
- Halitosis, gingintivitis and caries: Because of its antibacterial properties it is suitable to eliminate bad breath, and to protect the mouth against infections produced by the inflammation of gingiva. Its germicide power is used by the industry as a component of many tooth pastes.
- Mouth sores: Because of its bacterial properties, it is adequate to eliminate bad breath and protect the mouth against infections that cause inflammation of the gums or mouth ulcers. (Perform rinses with a well loaded infusion of the dried plant. Perform mouthwash mixed with the infusion of tea and sage or strawberry leaves . You can also place a wet tea bag on the sore right)
- Conjunctivitis: It diminishes inflammation and rest your eyes. (Wet compresses with the infusion of a spoonful of dried plant per cup of water). (A good trick to relax your eyes and prevent the redness caused by conjunctivitis is to apply on your closed eyes for 10 minutes a soaked warm bag of a tea after having prepared the infusion )
- Tired eyes and bags under the eyes: Apply the above treament.
- Sjogren's syndrome: Due to its bacterial properties, it is adequate to eliminate bad breath and protect the mouth against infections that cause inflammation of the gums. At the same time, it produces an increase in saliva. (Make mouthwashes with the infusion of the dried plant. Perform mouthwashes with the mixed infusion of tea and sage leaves or strawberry) (Drink the liquid)
- Vaginitis: the tannin-wealth of green tea can be used to deflate the irritated area. (Make an infusion of a couple of tablespoons of dried plant per half liter of water. Allow it to cool and clean the part where there is itching, redness or stinging.)
Other uses
It is the best known infusion in the world, more than coffee. It is known, not only for its medicinal value, but as a social drink, served in parties, meetings, etc. English people have made of their use an entire tradition and "Tea time" constitutes one of the daily meeting moments around the table. In the Japanese world it is part of its rites.It is also drank in India by all the families everyday. It combines very well with cookies and milk, which doesn't remove it none of their medicinal properties , adding a peculiar favour. Lately, it has been introduced in the world of the youths, mixed with alcoholic drinks, something not advisable since these mixtures become too stimulating products.
Toxicity:
It is not suitable to drink tea in pregnancy, specially during the first months, since it might produce abortions, mainly when combined with other stimulants or tranquilisers since it may increase their effects.
The stimulant properties of caffeine make it not suitable for people who have nervous frailness or cardiac disorders, such as palpitations, arrhythmia, insufficiency, insomnia, edginess, etc, since these symptoms can worsen.
It is not appropriate to consume tea in cases of gastric problems, as gastric ulcer, gastritis, stomachache or vomits
In certain people it can produce allergic reactions or problems in the nervous or gastric system, so they would not use this plant. It is also adviced to anyone to use it moderately, in order not to experience the above symthoms, besides it must not be forgotten the addictive character of caffeine.
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