Things Everyone Should Know About Green Tea
Keith Woolley
Green tea leaves have long been used throughout Asia as medicine for poor digestion, body aches and pains, headaches and general improved well being.
Little processing is required to produce a good green tea. Normally the leaves are dried immediately after harvesting or briefly treated with steam prior to natural drying. Some types of tea that are also lightly roasted. Because of this natural processing, the leaves are able to keep their green color and importantly they keep the extremely valuable ingredients that contribute to their much recorded healing properties. Green tea leaves contain some caffeine, tannins, essential oils, proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements such as fluoride, zinc and potassium.
Green tea is naturally rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are needed by the body to protect cells from free radicals (unstable molecules found in our cells). Too much free radical damage, over time, could lead to diseases which includes cancer. As part of our regular cell processing, antioxidants attach themselves to free radicals and this results in the neutralization these molecules. Drinking green tea regularly has been linked (via loads of research) with the prevention of cancer; it lowers the risk high blood cholesterol, harmful blood clotting and stroke.
Drinking Green Tea is important for sufferers of arthritis as the tea itself has anti-inflammatory properties.
The invigorating effects of the caffeine in Green Tea can also help to improve concentration.
As well has being antibacterial, and having the trace element fluorine helps to fight tooth decay - Just one cup of tea a day of Green Tea will be beneficial in the prevention of decay.
Many Natural practitioners recommend green tea to help cleanse the body. It is a useful addition to all types of detoxification diets. It contains no calories, no carbs and is referred to as the 'fat eater' in China due to its cholesterol-lowering properties.
Green tea is an excellent thirst quencher. It is enjoyed at any time of the day and is also delicious hot or cold. Try it with a squeeze of lemon, over ice for a very refreshing drink.
Usual Preparation of The Tea: Use one level teaspoon of tea leaves per cup. Boil your water and then let the water sit for a couple of minutes - to cool slightly. Boil to 70 degrees Celsius if you have one of those fancy kettles. Pour the water over the tea and leave the tea to brew.
Allow the tea to brew for a couple of minutes - too long can produce a slightly bitter taste.
Brewing the tea for longer gives a less stimulating and stronger tasting tea.
Of Special Note: The levels of caffeine in green tea can cause heart palpitations in very sensitive people. To lower the amount of caffeine in your tea, put one teaspoon of leaves in your cup, pour a little bit of hot water over it and allow it to stand for 30 seconds then strain through a tea strainer. Now use the leaves to prepare your tea as usual. An alternative is to look for decaffeinated Green Tea available in many health stores or natural food stores.
Keith Woolley is Chief Herb Advisor to Boots Herbal Stores. The following link gives valuable info on
http://www.solgar.co.uk/healthnotes/healthnotes.asp?org=boots&ContentID=2102007) Green Tea Capusules here
http://www.solgar.co.uk/modules/shop/view.asp?catid=28&Prodcode=E4124) Solgar Green Tea Click here to get your own
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