Green Tea is a hot topic of conversation these days. Many have heard about its quoted health benefits, and suddenly, we have been bombarded with a range of green tea products from green tea ice-cream to lotions, patchouli, dish soap, candles, and perfume. Its influence has even reached paint stores, which display green tea paint chips.

Let’s get back to basics: what is Green Tea, where does it come from, and how can it benefit you?

Green tea comes from the leaves of the Camellia Sinesis tree, which by definition is a tree, but when grown for tea, is pruned to look more like a bush. There are three thousand variations of teas that can be produced by the C. Sinesis tree. The tree is native to Asia but can grow just about anywhere. The various steps that are involved in processing of the leaves, determine whether the tea will be green, black or oolong. For black tea, the leaves are dried and fermented, but for green they are steamed, leaving their oxidative properties in tact. Most of the world’s black teas are produced in countries such as India, Kenya, Indonesia and Argentina. These countries produce little, if any, green tea. Most green tea is made in China and Japan.

Did you know that up until the eighteenth century, green tea was the most popular form of tea in Britain, and that imports of green tea outpaced black tea in the United States until 1915? In fact, most of the tea hurled into the Boston harbor during the Boston Tea party was green!

There is an abundance of studies linking green tea with improved health. They have shown that green tea:
• Boosts your immune system
• Lowers blood sugar
• Helps prevent cavities and tooth decay
• Slows the aging process
• Helps reduce the risk of cancer
• Lowers cholesterol
• Aids in weight loss by burning calories
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Prevents arthritis
• Reduces the risk of heart disease
• Reduces the risk of stroke
• Lowers the risk of blood clot

Green tea contains antioxidants, polyphenols, theanine, as well as a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. Did you know that a cup of green tea has antioxidant activity greater than a serving of spinach, broccoli, carrots or strawberries?

Catechin polyphenols, found in green tea, are touted for their role in fighting cancer. The star catechin is epigallaocatechin gallate (EGCG). Its antioxidant capability is roughly 25 to 100 times more powerful than vitamins C and E. EGCG can protect against four major categories of carcinogens: indirect chemical carcinogens (such as benzopyrene in diesel fuel), direct chemical carcinogens (such as nitrates in processed meats), physical carcinogens (such as ultra-violet light) and tumor protectors (such as pesticide DDT).

One notable study showing the effects of green tea in prevention of cancer was conducted in 1994 by the Shanghai Cancer Institute and the National Cancer Institute. They studied a large population of non-smoking individuals and compared those who drank green tea with those who did not. The group that drank green tea experienced 60% less esophageal cancers than those who did not.

There are several studies on green tea with cigarette smoking. Two studies (one in China, and the other at the University School of Medicine in Indianapolis) showed that when cigarette smokers drank the equivalent of 6 or more cups of green tea per day, their bodies suffered 40% to 50% less oxidative damage. This drastically reduced their chances for emphysema, heart disease and cancer. In fact, for the smoking group (who continued to smoke during the study and drank green tea), their levels of oxidative damage post-study was reduced to that of levels found in nonsmokers!

Not all green teas are alike. In Asia, tea prices can range from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars for a single bag. Superior quality tea comes from young leaves that are hand plucked. Another sign of distinction is when the tea is individually rolled into tight pellets, and then immediately sealed in an air-tight package. Avoid green tea that is ground to dust and placed into bleached white tea bag. To make green tea, use a teaspoon or less and brew for 3 to 5 minutes. Green tea should not be brewed to a dark color. Ideally it should be a pale color.

Green tea is a lovely tea to drink, and heck it’s a terrific way to boost your immune system now that we are in flu - season. Try a cup today!

Trish Brown co-owns Spirit Winds Therapy with Michele S. Jang. Spirit Winds Therapy is an alternative, holistic physical therapy clinic located in uptown San Luis Obispo. Feel free to call them at [805] 543-5100 with questions and/or comments.

Gao YT, McLaughlin JK, Blot WJ, Ji BT, Dai Q, Fraumeni JF Jr. Reduced risk of esophageal cancer associated with green tea consumption. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1994;86:855-858.

In 2005, after 12 years in the hands-on healing profession, our dear Trish Brown has decided to part from Spirit Winds in order to pursue other interests. It is an extremely amiable parting, however. No doubt, we, as well as our clients will miss her love, playfulness, good humor and healing hands. We wish her the best in her journeys!