Green Tea

Thea sinensis, L. – Theaceae

The plant is a tall bush, the leaves are leathery, elliptical, oppositely arranged. There are several white flowers in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a capsule with three seeds. Green tea grows in the hilly, humid regions of China, and today this plant is cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Europe and Africa. The medicinal part of the plant is the dried leaf.

Green tea leaves contain 2-4% caffeine and a smaller amount of other purine derivatives. In addition to caffeine, this plant also contains various polyphenolic ingredients, phenolcarboxylic acids (hydrogenic, caffeic and gallic acid), gallotannins, and in addition to the listed ingredients, green tea also contains flavonoid derivatives (O- and C-heterosides of flavonols) and flavone-type compounds (catechin tannins , procyanidins, epicatechin gallate). The leaves of this plant also contain heterosides of terpene aromatic and aliphatic alcohols, which contribute to the recognizable aroma. The undried leaf also contains a large proportion of protein, sugar, vitamin C and B complex vitamins.

The use of green tea as a beverage is very common in everyday life. Many studies have proven that green tea has a beneficial effect on coronary circulation (angioprotective effect). Also, this plant has a pronounced antioxidant potential, by binding free oxygen radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidase. Because green tea is an antioxidant, this explains its antimutagenic and antitumor effects. Green tea is thought to have the ability to bind cholesterol and inhibit absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, but this has not yet been fully confirmed. The French pharmacopoeia prescribes that green tea can be used for mild diarrhea, for weight loss and as a mild diuretic (an agent that helps remove fluid from the body).

Neurological disorders represent a major socioeconomic problem worldwide. These disorders have been widely studied during the last decades in the hope of developing adequate therapy. Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world and it is green tea (Camellia Sinensis) that has been studied most deeply for its wide health potential. In many scientific research papers, it has been proven that polyphenols from green tea leaves have a neuroprotective effect, and it is used as a prevention or aid in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Catechins are also useful in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

A large number of studies are still focused on examining the effects of green tea, so some conclusions have been reached that say that this plant has beneficial effects on diseases such as cancer, obesity, diabetes mellitus, but also numerous neurological diseases, such as cognitive dysfunctions and memory loss.

Green Tea

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