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Things Everyone Should Know About Green Tea

Green tea leaves have long been used throughout Asia as medicine for poor digestion, body aches and pains, headaches and general improved well being.

Very little processing is required to produce green tea. In most cases the leaves are dried immediately after harvesting or briefly treated with steam prior to drying. There are a few types of tea that are also lightly roasted. Because of this minimal processing, the leaves keep their green color and more importantly they keep the very valuable ingredients that contribute to their healing properties. Green tea leaves contain caffeine, tannins, essential oils, proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements such as fluoride, zinc and potassium.

Green tea is known to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are required by the body to protect cells from free radicals (unstable molecules found in our cells) which cause damage. Too much free radical damage, over time, often leads to diseases which can include cancer. As part of our regular cell renewal, antioxidants attach themselves to these free radicals and this leads to the neutralization of these molecules. Enjoying drinking green tea regularly has been linked (via much research) with the prevention of cancer; it lowers the risk high blood cholesterol, harmful blood clotting and stroke.

Green tea is very good for arthritis sufferers because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

The caffeine in green tea has an invigorating effect and it promotes concentration.

Green tea is also antibacterial and the trace element fluorine helps to fight tooth decay. Just one cup of tea a day will be beneficial in the prevention of decay. Green tea is also ideal after dinner as a palette cleanser.

Many Naturopaths recommend green tea to 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 fantatic for quenching your thirst, and can be enjoyed at any time of the day - either hot or cold. Sometimes lemon juice is added, or the tea is poured over ice to produce a really refreshing drink.

If you are unsure about the Preparation of The Tea (and don't like teabads): Use one level teaspoon of the green tea leaves per cup. Boil some water and then let the water sit for a couple of minutes - to cool slightly. 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.

Allowing the tea for a longer 4-6 minutes produces a less stimulating and a more 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.