Q: I am wondering if anyone can give me a link to a good herb dictioanry/encyclopedia on the web, and if you can tell me the benefits of green tea for both men and women.
A: Green tea contains 4 polyphenols which exert antiviral, antitumor, and antioxidant activity. One of the polyphenols epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is 100 times stronger than vitamin C as an antioxidant.
EGCG also inhinbits urokinase. This enzyme is involved in the growth and spread of malignant tumors.
These polyphenols also strengthen blood vessel walls to help prevent bruising, and help prevent tooth decay. Tea is also a natural source of flluoride which helps to protect tooth enamel.
There are different types of green tea such as young Hysson, gunpowder, dragon well, sancha, and bancha. I like shou mei green tea which I add honeysuckle flowers and just a touch of stevia. Never add milk or anything alkaline to the tea. The polyphenols are acidic and alkaline substances will neutralize their benefits.
Green tea does contain a small amount of caffeine. Oolong and black teas are made from green teas and contain higher caffeine levels since the free caffeine levels increase with fermentation. Decaffeinated green tea is also available which is slightly sedative, but the caffeine extraction could affect the medicinal properties if a bicarbonate is used to extract the cafffeine. Though I do not think that this type of extraction is used much. Carbon dioxide extraction is more common and should not affect the polyphenols since the carbon dioxide creates carbonic acid in the solution.