Drinking tea

This information comes from coffeetea.guide@about.com-
In The Art of Tea Drinking, Olivia Yang opens with the words: "The Chinese people are without a doubt the ones who best understand the nature of tea." It's hard to exaggerate the importance of tea in Chinese culture. At various points throughout history, China's national drink has been designated as the state currency and used as cash.

The Origins of Tea

While references to tea in Chinese literature go back approximately 5,000 years, the origin of tea's use as a beverage is unclear. Ancient folklore places the creation of the brew at 2737 BC, when a camellia blossom drifted into a cup of boiled drinking water belonging to Emperor Shen Nung. However, most scholars credit a reference found in Erh Ya, an ancient Chinese dictionary, dated about 350 BC.

Originally, tea was valued for its medicinal qualities. It has long been known that tea aids in digestion, which is why many Chinese prefer to consume it after their meal. (Another interesting side effect for smokers is that tea hastens the discharge of nicotine from the body). The elevation of tea drinking to an art form began in the 8th century, with the publication of Lu Yu's "The Classic Art of Tea." The highly esteemed poet and former Buddhist priest had strict notions about the proper procedure for brewing, steeping, and serving tea. For example, only water from a slow-moving stream was acceptable, and the tea leaves had to be placed in a porcelain cup. The perfect milieu for enjoying the finished product was in a pavilion next to a water lily pond, preferably in the company of a desirable woman. (To be fair, his work also contained several practical tips for manufacturing tea, many of which are still in use today).

In the centuries following the publication of Yu's work, tea's popularity spread rapidly throughout China. Not only did tea drinking become a fitting subject for books and poems; Emperors bestowed gifts of tea upon grateful recipients. Later, teahouses began dotting the landscape. While the Chinese have never developed a ritualistic ceremony surrounding tea drinking resembling the Japanese tea ceremony, they have a healthy respect for its role in their daily lives.

Types of Tea

Tea aficionados are often surprised to learn that all tea comes from the same source: the Camilla Sinensis bush. While there are hundreds are varieties of Chinese teas, most fall into four basic categories. Reputed to provide the most health benefits, white tea is made from immature tea leaves that are picked shortly before the buds have fully opened. Green teas are not fermented during processing, and thus retain the original color of the tea leaves. The most famous green tea is the expensive Dragon Well tea, grown in the hillsides of Hanghou. Also known as "red tea," black teas are made from fermented leaves, which accounts for their darker color. Popular varieties of black tea include Bo lei, a Cantonese tea often drunk with dim sum, and luk on - a milder tea favored by the elderly. Finally, oolong teas are partially fermented, resulting in a black-green tea. Examples of oolong tea include Soi sin, a bitter tasting brew cultivated in the Fukien province.

There is also a fourth category known as "scented teas," made by mixing various flowers and petals with green or oolong teas. The best known among these is jasmine tea. And white tea, made with unripened tea leaves that are still covered with a downy, silvery fuzz, is becoming quite popular.

While most of us have neither a pavilion nor a lily pond conveniently situated in our back yard, we can still indulge our penchant for this centuries-old beverage. With a little practice it's easy to brew the perfect cup of tea. And budding fortune-tellers who eschew tea bags can hone their skills in the art of tasseomancy (reading tea leaves).

Matcha tea

Have you checked out Matcha tea?  Here is some great info on this tea and the many benefits to drinking or adding to your food, juice, etc.  I will have some Matcha Green Tea in next week or so if interested. 
 
What makes matcha tea so special?Matcha tea is a high-quality green tea that is covered before picking to accentuate the color, then stone-ground after being picked and before being sealed into small tins. Matcha tea is enjoyed in many ways. In Japan it is a very important part of the tea ceremony, and in both Asia and the West, people drink it because they like the taste and the ritual. Now some people are drinking it because of the reported health benefits.
The taste is strong and vegetal - some people would say spinachy, others would say grassy and with an umami character. This will also of course depend on the quality and source that you use. The tea used to make matcha tea is important; there are many cheaper imitations that use low-grade tea.
As with all teas, where you get it is important. You want to purchase your tea from an importer who moves through their stock so that you get fresh product. You should use about a teaspoon in a bowl with a third of a cup of hot water and heated to less than a boil. Then agitate it with a bamboo whisk and you are ready to drink it.

Some more articles on Matcha

Matcha Green Tea Benefits

There are many benefits to drinking Matcha tea, some of which are purely for the enjoyment of the consumer and other benefits that involve health. In this article I will cover the health benefits of Matcha Green tea, and touch briefly on the other benefits involved.

Nutritional Benefits of Matcha Green Tea

Many people know about the benefits of Green tea, but Matcha Green tea provides even more health benefits. Some of the advantages of Matcha tea over other teas include:

• rich in nutrients
• very high in antioxidants (higher than blueberries, gojiberries, pomegranates, orange juice, and spinach)
• contains fiber
• High in chlorophyll
• Sugar-free (great for diabetics or people who enjoy low sugar diets)

Matcha Green Tea Nutritional Profile:

Nutrient	Per 1g Matcha
Total Catechins	105mg
EGCg	61 mg
Total Amino Acids	34 mg
L-theanine	14.26 mg
Caffeine	35mg
Fiber	318mg
Carbs	447mg
Vitamin C	1.75mg
Vitamin A	291 units
Potassium	26.6mg
Calories	3

You can see that there are many benefits to drinking the tea that other beverages just don’t have. Matcha green tea contains more nutrients and antioxidants than any other tea or green tea in the world. This is achieved through delicate and precise growing, harvesting and processing.
How Matcha Green Tea achieves it’s high antioxidant and nutrient count

Matcha Green tea, like all other types of traditional tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. In fact all black tea, oolong tea, green tea and white tea are made from the Camellia sinensis plant however different harvesting and preparation is used to make Matcha tea VERY high in anti oxidants and nutrients
Matcha Green tea is produced only in Japan. The rich green color is achieved by shading the tea bush before harvesting which causes them to turn a rich green color and become filled with chlorophyll. After the leaves are harvested they are steamed and then air dried. Keep in mind that when producing Matcha tea everything is done by hand. After the tea leaves are harvested and dried they are hand sorted depending on the grade. The leaves are then de-stemmed and de-veined.
Once the leaves have reached this stage they are known as tencha, the tencha is then ground by stone into a fine powder which you know as Matcha. There are different grades of Matcha, the tea grade Matcha is ground by stone into a fine powder however the industrial grade tea is ground by machine. The stone grinding will produce a different shaped powder which has an impact on the texture and taste.

Health Benefits of Drinking Matcha Green Tea

Now that you know what is in Matcha tea it will be easier to understand the Matcha green tea health benefits. I will outline some of the most noteable benefits of drinking matcha tea below.
High antioxidant count – If you watch Oprah or any health show, or read any health magazine you should have heard of the benefits of antioxidants. If not here is a quick summary for you “Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases” you can read more on the National institute of Medicine antioxidant page
Antioxidants are measured with ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. The ORAC rating of matcha is 1300 units/g, compared to 105 units/g for pomegranates and 91 units/g for wild blueberries. Matcha green tea has a higher antioxidant count than any other super fruit including goji berries, acai, cranberries, raspberries or blueberries (plus it is a pleasure to drink in the morning)
EGCG – EGCG is the most abundant catechin in most notably tea (highest count in Matcha Green tea), among other plants, and is also a potent antioxidant that may have therapeutic properties for many disorders including cancer. EGCG has been reported to help prevent cancer, HIV, and other disorders, you can read more here
Amino acids – Amino acids are very important for the health and wellness of a person and play many roles in metabolism. One of the most important functions of amino acids is to act as the building block of proteins. Amino acids can link with other amino acids in different sequences to make up a number of different proteins. This helps the body get the proteins it needs and easily take them in and use them.

Other nutrients include fiber, Vitamin A, C and Potassium, you can see that just drinking a little bit of tea each day can help improve your health. Besides the nutrients there are also other health benefits of Matcha green tea.

Matcha Green tea is calming and aids in relaxation

The Japanese have been enjoying Matcha Green tea for many many years, possibly as far back as the year 1191. They drink Matcha tea because it helps them relax, as well as focus and achieve a deeper state of meditation. The Japanese drank it because it worked, but here in North America we need proof so we conducted studies. Studies show that Matcha green tea contains the highest amount of L-Theanine over any other type of green tea, and L-Theanine can be very helpful to aid in relaxation. Consider the results from this research paper
L-Theanine: How a Unique Anxiety Reducer and Mood Enhancer Increases Alpha Waves and Alertness

“The calming effect of green tea may seem contradictory to the stimulatory property of tea’s caffeine content but it can be explained by the action of L-theanine. This amino acid actually acts antagonistically against the stimulatory effects of caffeine on the nervous system. (1) Research on human volunteers has demonstrated that L-theanine creates a sense of relaxation in approximately 30-40 minutes after ingestion via at least two different mechanisms. First, this amino acid directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, creating a state of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to what is achieved through meditation. Second, L-theanine is involved in the formation of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). GABA influences the levels of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin, producing the key relaxation effect.”

Combine the naturally and physically calming effects of sitting down to enjoy a hot cup of tea with the physiological effects of L-Theanine and you have yourself one powerful relaxation tool!

Matcha Tea is great for cleansing the body

Matcha tea contains Chlorophyll which has been said to aid the body in removing heavy metals and toxins. I have looked for recent studies that support this statement but could only find claims made by companies selling chlorophyll supplements and other claims on natural health websites. I can’t say for sure that Chlorophyll will cleanse your body, but many dietitians will agree that foods rich in color are better for you and the Matcha Green tea leaves are picked when they are a dark green color so they are jam packed with nutrients.

Matcha Tea tastes great and is sugar free

If you are a healthy person you will love the taste of Matcha, it is something you would not want to add any flavours or sugar too, however matcha is great to add to other things like shakes, yogurt, baking or even ice cream. With all the sugar we consume these days it is nice to have a nice tasting tea that tastes great without sugar or cream.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea has a spicy, invigorating taste. It's used as a home remedy for indigestion, nausea, and to ward off colds, flu, and sore throats.
Ginger tea is very easy to make. Here is a recipe for you to try.

Ginger Tea Recipe

water, 4 cups

2-inch piece of fresh ginger root

optional: honey and lemon slice
Peel the ginger root and slice it into thin slices. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, add the ginger. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and lemon to taste.
Note: Keep in mind that if you are making ginger tea as a home remedy during cold and flu season, sweeteners are not recommended.

Loose tea vs Tea bags

I have since switched to loose leaf tea from a couple of years ago and it has been wonderful!  Tea bags come from low grade tea and from the fannings and dust.  Loose leaf tea is from whole, unbroken leaves.  Tea bags can be more stale and dull tasting.    I have taken loose leaf teas and made my own tea bags but you still don't get the full benefits as the leaves can't expand like they should in a teabag.  I appreciate tea so much more now that I have gone to loose leaf tea.  I think you will notice a difference too when you switch.  You get much more benefits from loose tea.   Invest in good tea ware.  You will appreciate your tea all the more.  Try flavored teas but if you do flavored teas also remember to have unflavored teas too. You will not regreat it.  Tea is such a wonderful way to share time with a friend or two.  So relaxing.
January is Hot Tea Month so grab a friend and have a cup of tea.  Take time to spend time with friends this month over a cup of tea.  Invite a neighbor for a hot cup of tea.  There is nothing quite as soothing as sipping a hot cup of tea.  Enjoy tea with your friends this month!

Tea benefits

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/teas-fight-disease

Great article to read about tea.  Enjoy!

Tea Tidbits

Adding milk to your tea destroys all the antioxidents in tea.  Enzymes in milk are the culprits.
Adding sugar to your tea will only add calories.  Try flavored tea instead.  Add fruits, nuts, spices to your tea.

Green tea and red laser attack on Alzheimer's plaques

After reading article check out our teas at Trinitea4Eternitea.yolasite.com

Green tea and red laser attack Alzheimer's plaques

• Updated 17:28 03 November 2011 by Belle Dumé
• Magazine issue 2837. Subscribe and save

IT MAY sound like a strange brew, but green tea and red light could provide a novel treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Together, the two can destroy the rogue "plaques" that crowd the brains of people with the disease. The light makes it easier for the green-tea extract to get to work on the plaques.

Andrei Sommer at the University of Ulm in Germany, and colleagues, have previously used red light with a wavelength of 670 nanometres to transport cancer drugs into cells. The laser light pushes water out of the cells and when the laser is switched off, the cells "suck in" water and any other molecules, including drugs, from their surroundings.

Now, Sommer's team have found that the same technique can be used to destroy the beta-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's. These plaques consist of abnormally folded peptides, and are thought to disrupt communication between nerve cells, leading to loss of memory and other symptoms.

The team bathed brain cells containing beta-amyloid in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) - a green-tea extract known to have beta-amyloid inhibiting properties - at the same time as stimulating the cells with red light. Beta-amyloid in the cells reduced by around 60 per cent. Shining the laser light alone onto cells reduced beta-amyloid by around 20 per cent (Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, DOI: 10.1089/pho.2011.3073).

It can be difficult getting drugs into the brain, but animal experiments show that the green-tea extract can penetrate the so-called blood-brain barrier when given orally together with red light. The light, which can penetrate tissue and bone, stimulates cell mitochondria to kick-start a process that increases the barrier's permeability, says Sommer.

There is no reason why other drugs that attack beta-amyloid could not be delivered to the brain in the same way, he adds.

"This important research could form the basis of a potential treatment for Alzheimer's, with or without complementary drug treatment," says Mario Trelles, medical director of the Vilafortuny Medical Institute in Cambrils, Spain.

"The technique described could help to regulate and even stop the appearance of this disease," he adds.

This article has been edited since it was first posted

Tea as a cleaner

Check this out!
http://coffeetea.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=coffeetea&cdn=food&tm=12&gps=178_10_1366_586&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//teahacker.com/2010/03/leftover-tea-as-a-multi-purpose-cleaner/

Tea pairing and brewing

From Allrecipes.com

You’ve heard the old adage about white wines pairing with white meat and red wines pairing with red meat. While not always true, it’s often helpful advice when taken as a general guideline. Well a similar maxim is typically true for tea: Green teas and oolong teas go well with white meats, black teas pair nicely with red meat.

For these people, placing a bag in a bowl and dousing it with boiling water doesn't get the job done. Check out our quick tips for brewing the perfect pot!

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Loose Leaf

Until the middle of the 20th century, there were no tiny cloth bags of individually parceled tea. For thousands of years, the leaves and buds were either placed in a tea pot or were held in a tea infuser (a tea ball, for example). For most tea-making perfectionists, there is no comparison: it is loose-leaf tea or nothing.
TIP: In a pinch, a French press coffeemaker approximates the infused-tea experience.
How much loose tea is enough? A common rule of thumb is one teaspoon of leaves for each cup of water plus "one for the teapot." Of course, the outcome will be determined by how strong the tea leaves are and by how much hot water the tea is steeping in. Experimentation is in order.
Water temperature. The temperature of the water matters, too. Most black teas do best in boiling water. Green and white teas prefer hot, but not boiling, water. It all comes down to how oxidized the leaves are: black teas are more oxidized and can handle the hot, hot heat.
TIP: Some tea drinkers insist on warming up the teapot before pouring in the hot or boiling water.
How long to steep? Allow black tea to brew anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes. Two to 3 minutes is preferred for a bracing tea. But too much steeping can produce a mouth-puckeringly bitter brew.
Steeping vessels. There is much ceremony associated with tea drinking. And pretty teapots are part of the enjoyment. Some are extremely elegant with delicately painted patterns. For steeping, though, many tea drinkers prefer simple, unglazed earthenware teapots. After steeping, it’s time for the beautiful porcelain teapots.
Tea making don'ts. Don't stir the loose leaves around in the pot. This is called "winding." And it's a no-no. It won't speed up the steeping process, but it probably will release bitter-flavored tannins. Wringing the last drop of tea from the teabag produces the same effect.

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The Three Types of Tea

Tea is the processed leaves (along with twigs and buds) of the tea plant Camellia sinensis, a bush native to warm, rainy climates. Processing freshly harvested tea leaves begins the same for all types of tea. Fresh leaves are sorted out, cleaned, and allowed to wither. From there, a few nuances come into play.
Black--English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Assam
The most common kind of tea, black tea leaves are allowed to ferment before being dried. Westerners call it "black tea" because of the dark color of the leaves. The Chinese know it as "red tea" because of the reddish color of the liquid. Black tea tends to have depth of flavor and lack bitterness.

• Most teas from India (Darjeeling, Assam) are black.
• Earl Grey is black tea scented with bergamot.

Green--Gunpowder, Tencha
From the same plant as black tea leaves, green tea leaves are steamed and dried directly after being picked to prevent fermentation, which develops a light, gently bitter flavor much like the fresh leaves themselves. Japan is a leading producer of green tea.
Oolong--Formosa Oolong
Partially fermented large-leaf tea, oolong tea is delicate in flavor, occasionally scented with rose petals, jasmine, or gardenia. Formosa, Taiwan, is an important producer of oolong tea.

Tea benefits for women

Three cups of tea a day helps stop heart attacks and strokes (unless you're a man)

By JENNY HOPE

Last updated at 12:00 17 March 2008

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Good for your heart: Tea (but only for women)

Women who drink three cups of tea a day may be protecting themselves against heart attacks and strokes.

They are less likely to have plaques - dangerous build-ups of fat and cholesterol - in their arteries, researchers found.

Only around one third of women who drank three or more cups of tea a day had plaques in a neck artery, compared with almost half of those who drank no tea.

However, the French study appeared to show that men who were regular tea-drinkers did not reap the same health benefits.

Researchers examined 2,613 men and 3,984 women with an average age of 73, measuring the level of plaque in their carotid artery using ultrasound.

Carotid plaque was found in 45 per cent of women who were not tea-drinkers, in 42.5 per cent of women who drank one or two cups of tea daily and in only 33.7 per cent of those reporting drinking three or more cups a day.

Even women with high blood pressure appeared to gain protection from tea, found the study by Institut National de la Santé Et de la Recherche Médicale, based in Paris and Lille.

The report said it was unclear why men did not benefit from tea-drinking in terms of lessening plaque build-up.

One theory is that tea might in some way complement oestrogen, the female hormone which is believed to help protect women against heart problems.

Dr Catherine Hood, from the industry-backed Tea Advisory Panel, said: "Findings in dietary studies are often confounded by other factors such as presence of disease in those taking part and other lifestyle behaviours.

"However, in this study, findings did not depend on whether the women were smoking or not, whether or not they took hormone replacement therapy and whether or not they suffered from vascular disease.

"No significant interaction was found with level of education, or fruit and vegetable intake."

Victoria Taylor, heart health dietician for the British Heart Foundation, said the findings, published in the medical journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, And Vascular Biology, are "good news for people who enjoy a regular cuppa" and called for further tests on the subject.

Almost 80 per cent of Britons are tea-drinkers, getting through an estimated 165million cups every day.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-536208/Three-cups-tea-day-helps-stop-heart-attacks-strokes-unless-youre-man.html#ixzz1QB6ltu9h

Black tea and Parkinson's

Black tea may slash Parkinson's disease risk

By Stephen Daniells, 22-Feb-2008

Related topics: Research, Phytochemicals, plant extracts, Cognitive and mental function

Drinking at least 23 cups of black tea a month, or about three-quarters of a cup a day, may slash the risk of developing Parkinson's disease by a whopping 71 per cent, suggests new research from Singapore.

The benefits of the beverage were not linked to the caffeine content, suggest the results of the study of 63,257 Chinese men and women published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.



Parkinson's disease is a degenerative condition affecting movement and balance in more than one million Americans each year, a figure expected to rise due to ageing populations.



Green tea contains between 30 and 40 per cent of water-extractable polyphenols, while black tea (green tea that has been oxidized by fermentation) contains between 3 and 10 per cent. Oolong tea is semi-fermented tea and is somewhere between green and black tea.



The four primary polyphenols found in fresh tealeaves are epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and epicatechin (EC).



Despite results from previous studies reporting that green tea may reduce the risk of Parkinson's, the new study, reported no benefits among participants of the Singapore Chinese Health Study.



Lead author Louis Tan from Singapore's National Neuroscience Institute states that data was collected through in-person interviews using structured questionnaires.



Over the course of the study, 57 incident cases of Parkinson's disease were documented, and while caffeine was associated with a protective effect, reducing disease risk by 45 per cent, the benefits of black tea were not affected by caffeine content, wrote Tan and co-authors.



"Black tea, a caffeine-containing beverage, showed an inverse association with Parkinson's disease risk that was not confounded by total caffeine intake or tobacco smoking," wrote the authors.



"Ingredients of black tea other than caffeine appear to be responsible for the beverage's inverse association with Parkinson's disease," they concluded.

Tea Advisory Panel welcomes the results


Commenting on the study, Dr Ann Walker, a member of The Tea Advisory Panel (TAP) said that the latest research study was great news for all UK 'black tea' drinkers.



"In the past there seems to have been more of a focus by scientists reviewing the health benefits of green tea," she said.



She added that previous studies looking at tea drinking and Parkinson's disease risk did not differentiate between black tea and green tea, while the protective effect of tea were attributed to the caffeine content.



"In the current study, however, the beneficial effect of black tea did not appear to be influenced by caffeine intake, indicating that ingredients other than caffeine are responsible for black tea's protective effects," said Dr. Walker.



"A key difference between black tea and green tea lies in the types and amounts of flavonoids. Green teas contain more of the simple flavonoids called catechins. But when black tea is made, the catechins undergo oxidation resulting in the generation of more complex varieties, called thearubigins and theaflavins."


"The underlying mechanisms for this protective effect of black tea on Parkinson's disease remains unclear until further research is done. But drinking even one cup of black tea per day could help to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease," she concluded.



Source: American Journal of Epidemiology

Published online ahead of print 20 December 2007, doi: doi:10.1093/aje/kwm338

"Differential Effects of Black versus Green Tea on Risk of Parkinson's Disease in the Singapore Chinese Health Study"

Tea and cooking

From About.com

If you’re trying to increase your tea consumption, you can do more than just drink tea – you can also cook with tea! There are some basic ways to use tea as a food ingredient. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless…

How to Add Tea to Food
Generally speaking, when using tea as a food ingredient, you want to select teas that would also pair well with the final product. To help you find the best teas for the food you're making, here's a list of (very general) tea flavor profiles by tea type. Once you've selected a tea for your food, you are ready to use it as an ingredient. These are the most common ways to add tea to recipes:

• Replace water with tea
• Infuse milk or other liquid ingredients with tea
• Melt solid ingredients (such as chocolate or butter), infuse them with tea and then use them in solid or liquid form
• Add powdered tea (such as matcha green tea or tea ground in a spice grinder) as a garnish, spice, rub or partial replacement for flour (about 1 teaspoon powdered tea in each cup of flour should suffice)
• Smoke meats or meat substitutes with tealeaves
• Marinate meats or meat substitutes with brewed tea

There are other, more complex techniques, such as candying tealeaves to use as a garnish or boiling tea into a concentrate and then adding it to dishes.

Traditional Recipes
These techniques are used to cook with tea in recipes from around the world. Here are a few examples of traditional tea-infused food recipes:

• Japanese ochazuke ("tea soup") uses green tea as a form of “broth.”
• Chinese smoked duck uses Lapsang Souchong or other teas to impart a smoky flavor to the duck. Here’s a similar recipe for tea-smoked chicken. I’ve had a related (and incredibly delicious!) dish of tea-smoked mushrooms in Darjeeling, India.
• Barm Brack (an Irish favorite) uses black tea in lieu of other baking liquids.

Recipe Ideas
Beyond these traditional foods, there are many ways to use tea as a food ingredient. Here are a few ideas you can try at home:

Savory Tea Foods

• Boil eggs and other foods in tea instead of water.
• Infuse teas into broths for soups and stews. Flavorful black teas (like Assams and Ceylons) are better for beef or pork broth, while umami-rich Japanese green teas (like Gyokuro and Sencha) are better for chicken or seafood broth.
• Marinate tofu, seitan, seafood or meat in tea for 30 minutes or more to impart flavor and (in the case of seafood) remove unpleasant odors.
• Use powdered green tea (such as matcha) as a rub for grilled meats. It has been shown to reduce the formation of carcinogens in grilled or charred meats, especially with fatty cuts of red meat (like those used for ground beef).
• Use brewed tea and tealeaves as an ingredient in rice dishes, like this Oolong Fried Rice.
• Stuff whole fish with oolong or green tealeaves before you steam them.
• Whisk matcha into sauces and dressings, like this matcha salad dressing.
• After brewing a quality Chinese green tea (such as Dragonwell), retain the leaves and sauté them with vegetables and/or meats.

Sweet Tea Foods

• Infuse tea into a ganache for tea chocolate truffles. The most common tea truffles are Earl Grey, but other teas can taste amazing, too!
• As you warm milk to make hot chocolate, steep some tea in it. Strain the tealeaves (or remove the teabag) and continue to make hot chocolate as you normally would.
• Poach fruit in black or oolong tea with sugar or honey. Add spices as desired.
• Use tea or tea-infused milk/cream to make tea sorbets and tea ice creams.
• Infuse tealeaves into simple syrup for an easy shot of tea flavor in sweets and cocktails.
• Chill out with icy tea granitas or a tea smoothie.
• Make regular sweets recipes into matcha recipes with the addition of matcha powder as a spice. From matcha coconut macaroons to matcha truffles, there are lots of ways you can use matcha in sweet foods.

tea and caffeine

Caffeine in Tea
There are many factors influencing caffeine levels in tea, including brewing time / temperature, tea grade and tea varietal.

Tisanes or "herbal teas are usually caffeine free. Similarly, teas blended with other ingredients (such as mint green teas or masala chais) will often have lower caffeine levels than unblended teas.

Most studies show that black tea has between 40 and 120 mg caffeine per eight ounce serving. Decaf black tea usually contains about two to ten mg of caffeine.

The information below comes from a very interesting article on tea and caffeine by Bruce Richardson, who has been instrumental in debunking caffeine myths surrounding tea. Each seven-ounce cup of tea was steeped for three minutes.

• Assam Black Tea (FTGFOP Grade) - 86 mg
• Bai Mu Dan / China White Tea - 75 mg
• Chinese Ti Kuan Yin Oolong - 37 mg
• Darjeeling Autumnal (SFTGFOP1 Grade) Darjeeling White Tea - 56 mg
• Indian Green Tea - 59 mg
• Kenyan Green Tea - 58 mg
• Ceylon Black Tea (OP Grade) - 58 mg

Caffeine in Iced Teas

Many Snapple Iced Tea varieties contain 42 mg of caffeine per bottle. Snapple flavors with 42 mg of caffeine include:

• Cranberry Twist
• Diet Lemon
• Diet Peach
• Diet Raspberry
• Lemon
• Mint
• Peach
• Raspberry
• Very Cherry

Snapple's "Red Tea" line is made with rooibos and are naturally caffeine free. Snapple's Diet Green Teas contain 60 mg of caffeine per bottle, while their regular Green Teas contain 30 mg of caffeine per bottle and their White Teas contain less than one mg of caffeine per serving. (There are two exceptions to this -- Lime Green and Diet Lime Green both contain five mg of caffeine per serving, or ten mg of caffeine per bottle.) Snapple's Just Plain Unsweetened and Lemonade Iced Tea both contain 18 mg of caffeine per bottle.

Here's a listing of caffeine levels in Honest Tea's bottled teas.

Arizona Iced Tea all contain caffeine. Their black teas have 15 mg of caffeine per eight-ounce serving. Their green teas contain 7.5 mg caffeine per serving. Their white teas contain six mg caffeine per serving.

Twelve ounces of Lipton Brisk Lemon Iced Tea contain seven mg of caffeine, while 12 ounces of Nestea Iced Tea contain 26 mg of caffeine.

A teaspoon of generic, instant iced tea mix contains 27 mg of caffeine, while the same quantity of a decaf equivalent contains about one mg of caffeine.

Did you know?

Cold , used teabags can be used as eye compresses.  Very spa-Y and relaxing.
Green tea is good for you and healthy people are gorgeous.
Cornmeal, milk and chamomile tea makes a great facial scrubbing mask.
Black tea bags can help a sunburn.  PUt them in your bathtub .  Steep in there along with the tea for about ten minutes. It really helps.
Used teabags can help  your complexion and dry skin. 

Green tea for eyes?

Green Tea: The Eyes Have It


Eyes Can Absorb Antioxidants From Green Tea, Which May Have a Protective Effect, Researchers Say

By Jennifer Warner

WebMD Health NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDFeb. 18, 2010 -- Researchers say the compounds responsible for many of the health benefits of green tea are capable of penetrating the tissues of the eyes and have antioxidant activity there.
Green tea has been touted for a number of health benefits, such as fighting heart disease and cancer, thanks to its high concentration of disease-fighting antioxidants called catechins.
Researchers say catechins are among a number of antioxidants, including vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, thought to help protect the delicate tissues of the eye from glaucoma and other eye diseases. But until now it wasn't known if the catechins in green tea were capable of being absorbed into the tissues of the eye.

Another Health Benefit of Green Tea

In the study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers fed laboratory rats green tea extract and then analyzed their eye tissues.

The results showed that different parts of the eye absorbed varying amounts of catechins. The area with the highest concentration of catechins was the retina, which is the light-sensing tissue that lines the back of the eye. The area with the least absorption of catechins was the cornea, which is the clear, outer layer of the eye.

The study also showed that a measure of antioxidant activity lasted for up to 20 hours after the drinking green tea extract.

Researcher Kai On Chu of the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the Chinese University of Hong Kong and colleagues say that their findings suggest that drinking green tea could be protective of the eyes. Further studies, however, will be needed to confirm a protective effect in humans.

Tired or Dry Eyes?

Chamomile Tea Bags or loose tea

Have dry eyes? Tired eyes? Itching, burning, throbbing eyes? How about pink eye? Allergy eye? Are you always on the computer, having to cope with all sorts of eye issues? I have a natural remedy you'll love. If your eyes are giving you painful, aggravating trouble, here's a simple and quick natural remedy that will bring soothing relief to your eyes!

.Instructions.Things You'll Need:

organic chamomile tea bag or loose Chamomile tea

tea kettle

1 1/2 cups water

a cup

a few minutes

1.Put your organic chamomile tea bag in a cup.
2.Pour the water into your tea kettle and sit it on a burner with high heat.
3.When your water is heated, pour it over the tea bag in the cup.
4.Let it sit for 2-5 minutes. This is called steeping the tea.
5.Once the organic chamomile tea has steeped, remove the tea bag.
6.If the tea is comfortable to the touch, use this solution as a safe and natural eye wash.
7.This natural remedy is effective for dry, tired, burning, itching, red, throbbing eyes. It even helps pink eye!

Great Tea INformation

Tea is Good for You


Hardly a week goes by without news of yet another research study confirming the health benefits of tea. Here's a summary of the recent findings.


Aging

Drinking tea leads to fewer signs of aging.

Mice which were fed tea displayed fewer signs of ageing than mice that were fed water, with oolong tea showing significantly better results than green teaIf you are the type to fret over the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and other signs of growing old, oolong tea may be the answer to your worries. Details of the study, conducted jointly by scientists from America, Taiwan and Tokushima University in Japan, were given at the 17th International Congress of Nutrition in Vienna, Austria late last month. In the experiment, groups of six-month-old 'senescence-accelerated mice' (SAMs) were separately fed water, green tea and oolong tea over a 16-week period. SAMs age twice as quickly as ordinary laboratory mice. Checking hair loss, age spots, the condition of skin around the eyes and other indicators of ageing, the scientists found that male SAMs which were fed tea displayed fewer signs of ageing than mice that were fed water, with oolong tea showing significantly better results than green tea. The Straits Times, Sept. 24, 01

Allergies

Tea: allergy fighter!

Green tea shows promise as an allergy fighter"The wonder cup just got even more wonderful. Green tea, rich in antioxidant treasures that protect against heart disease and cancer, now shows promise as an allergy fighter. In laboratory tests, Japanese researchers have found that the antioxidants in green tea, block the biochemical process involved in producing an allergic response. Green tea may be useful against a wide range of sneeze-starting allergens, including pollen, pet dander, and dust." Prevention, April 2003

Alzheimer's Disease

Improve the memory and help prevent the disease.

Drinking Tea Might Delay Alzheimer's Disease3-4 cups of tea daily can improve the memory and help prevent Alzheimer's disease. The research team, based at Newcastle University's Medicinal Plant Research Center, investigated the properties of green and black tea, as well as coffee, in a series of laboratory experiments. The results showed that both types of tea inhibited the activity of enzymes associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. Coffee, however, had no significant effect. In fact, drinking tea appears to affect the brain in a similar way as drugs prescribed for Alzheimer's disease the UK researchers report. According to scientists black and green brews fight enzymes that destroy chemical messengers in the brain. They said: "It's exciting as tea is popular and inexpensive without side effects." Phytotherapy Research, August 2004

Chemical in Green Tea May Fight Alzheimer's.

Chemical in Green Tea May Fight Alzheimer'sAn ingredient in green tea that researchers think might fight cancer may also protect the brain from the memory-destroying Alzheimer's disease, a study released Tuesday said. Scientists injected mice with an antioxidant from green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and said it decreased production of beta-amyloid, a protein that forms the plaques that clog the brains of Alzheimer's victims. Several months of injections reduced plaque formation by as much as 54 percent, researchers from the University of South Florida wrote in the Journal of Neuroscience. The mice had been genetically programmed to develop an Alzheimer's-like disease. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Association, 9/20/2005

Green Tea's antioxidants can help prevent Alzheimer's Disease.

Chemical in Green Tea May Fight Alzheimer'sResearch shows green tea has many health benefits, especially as an antioxidant. Ingredients in green tea helps prevent the formation of B-amyloid, a protein whose accumulation is recognized as causing Alzheimer's. Drinking green tea can help with relaxation and concentration. South Bend Tribune April 13, 2010

Arthritis

Tea may help reduce inflammation and help arthritis.

Green tea may be useful in controlling inflammation from injury or diseases such as arthritis.Tea contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation and help arthritis. Scientists at Case Western University in Cleveland took two groups of mice and gave them injections of a substance that causes immune reactions similar to those due to rheumatoid arthritis. One group had regular water to drink and the other got water laced with polyphenols, chemicals found in green tea and, to a lesser extent in black tea. Nearly all the mice that drank regular water got arthritis-like symptoms, compared to less than half of the treated mice. Boston Globe, April 26, 1999

Tea benefits the arthritis patient!

Green tea reduces inflammation in arthritis patients.Green tea catechins are chondroprotective and that consumption of green tea may be prophylactic for arthritis and may benefit the arthritis patient by reducing inflammation and slowing cartilage breakdown. The Journal of Nutrition, Mar 2002

Bone Health

Tea Suitable for Bone Health

Tea Suitable for Bone HealthResarchers state that three fundamental chemicals found in green tea- EGC, GC, and GCG have a great impact on osteoblasts, or bone cells when exposed to these particular chemicals. The bone cells treated with these particular chemicals helped stimulate growth in comparison to other components. In addition to promoting growth of cells, there was significant increased in the amount of mineralization found in the osteoblasts. Natural food sources, such as tea help offer an economical solution to the management of osteoporosis. Journal of Chinese Medicine October 2009

Bone Strength

Tea may be a bone builder!

Tea flavonoids may be bone builders.Tea flavonoids may be bone builders. A report in this week's Archives of Internal Medicine looked at about 500 Chinese men and women who regularly drank black, green, or oolong tea for more than 10 years. Compared with nonhabitual tea drinkers, tea regulars had higher bone mineral densities, even after exercise and calcium-- which strengthen bones--were taken into account. U.S. News & World Report, May 20, 2002

Breath

Halitosis Alert!

...stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath..."Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Polyphenols, which are chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds, indicate Christine Wu, professor of periodontics and associate dean for research at the UIC College of Dentistry, and associate MinZhu. Bad breath-or halitosis-afflicts a large portion of the population. It is caused by foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds, like hydrogen sulfide, produced by anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue and deep gum pockets. In the laboratory study, Wu and Zhu incubated tea polyphenols with three species of bacteria associated with bad breath for 48 hours. At concentrations ranging from 16 to 250 micrograms per milliliter, the polyphenols inhibited growth of the oral bacteria. Wu points out that the study complements earlier research in her laboratory showing that black tea suppresses the growth of bacteria in dental plaque and that rinsing with black tea reduces plaque formation and the production of acids that cause tooth decay. "Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the [poor-smelling] compounds that these pathogens produce." USA Today, August 2003

Bad breath be gone!

Drinking tea may ward off tooth decay.A study suggests chemicals in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions. It raises the prospect of adding tea extracts to toothpaste and mouthwash to protect the teeth. It found that caffeinated green tea was the best at fighting viruses, followed by caffeinated black tea. Decaffeinated blends were less effective as anti-viral agents. BBC News, May 20 2003

Tea: Liquid confidence

Tea may freshen your breath.A University of Illinois study looked at chemicals in tea known as polyphenols. Experiments in the laboratory showed they slowed the growth of bacteria associated with bad breath. "Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the bad-smelling compounds that these pathogens produce," according to Christine Wu in Chicago. BBC News, May 20 2003

Read this before you date!

Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath"Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Polyphenols, which are chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds, indicate Christine Wu, professor of periodontics and associate dean for research at the UIC College of Dentistry, and associate MinZhu. Bad breath-or halitosis-afflicts a large portion of the population. It is caused by foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds, like hydrogen sulfide, produced by anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue and deep gum pockets. In the laboratory study, Wu and Zhu incubated tea polyphenols with three species of bacteria associated with bad breath for 48 hours. At concentrations ranging from 16 to 250 micrograms per milliliter, the polyphenols inhibited growth of the oral bacteria. Wu points out that the study complements earlier research in her laboratory showing that black tea suppresses the growth of bacteria in dental plaque and that rinsing with black tea reduces plaque formation and the production of acids that cause tooth decay. "Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the [poor-smelling] compounds that these pathogens produce." USA Today, August 2003

Cancer

Tea is one of the single best cancer fighters you can put in your body

Tea is one of the single best cancer fighters you can put in your body."Tea is one of the single best cancer fighters you can put in your body," according to Mitchell Gaynor, MD, director of medical oncology at the. world-renowned Strong Cancer Prevention Center in New York City and co-author of Dr. Gaynor's Cancer Prevention Program (Kensington Books, 1999. The latest tea discovery? Strong evidence that both green and black tea can fight cancer-at least in the test tube-though green tea holds a slight edge. In a new study, both teas kept healthy cells from turning malignant after exposure to cancer-causing compounds. Prevention, May 2000
Killing cancer cells through cups

People who drink about 4 cups of green tea a day seem to get less cancer. Now we may know why.In recent test-tube studies, a compound called EGCG, a powerful antioxidant in tea, inhibited an enzyme that cancer cells need in order to grow. The cancer cells that couldn't grow big enough to divide self-destructed. It would take about 4 cups of green tea a day to get the blood levels of EGCG that inhibited cancer in the study. Black tea also contains EGCG, but at much lower concentrations. Prevention, Aug 99

Lower risk of breast cancer

Green tea extract may prevent breast cancer cells from manufacturing the new blood vessels necessary to promote cancer cell growthWriting in a recent issue of the International Journal of Cancer, the USC researchers noted that the reduction in breast cancer risk among the green tea drinkers held true even among women who had a family history of breast cancer as well as among women who smoked or ate processed foods. Exercise habits - either good or bad - also did not play a role in the outcome for green tea drinkers. The conclusions of this study support the important results of a 2002 laboratory study. According to a report in Science News, researchers at the University of California and the University of Texas found that green tea extract may prevent breast cancer cells from manufacturing the new blood vessels necessary to promote cancer cell growth. If further research confirms these findings, it may help explain why the green tea drinkers in the USC study were at lower risk of breast cancer, regardless of other health, diet, and family history factors. Department of Preventive Medicine at USC, October 2003

Fighting against emerging cancer cells

Tea can fight against emerging cancer cells"American scientists have found that drinking five small cups of tea a day can help to boost the immune system and possibly fight against emerging cancer cells. The alkylamine antigens present in tea, are also found in some bacteria, parasites, tumor cells and fungi. When the human immune system has previously been exposed to the antigen (by drinking tea), a much greater defense response is initiated against the bacteria, parasite, tumor or fungi." Health & Hygiene, Summer 2003

Green tea fights bladder cancer
Study Shows How Green Tea May Fight Bladder CancerGreen tea extract may interfere with a process that helps early bladder cancer to spread throughout the body, new laboratory research suggests. The findings, say researchers, bolster ongoing studies into green tea extract as a cancer treatment -- and may give green tea drinkers more reason to savor every cup. The investigators found that when they exposed human bladder cells to both a cancer-causing chemical and green tea extract, the extract interfered with a particular process by which early cancer cells become invasive and spread throughout body tissue. This process involves the "remodeling" of actin, a structural protein in cells that is essential for cell movement. Actin remodeling allows cancer cells to move and invade nearby healthy tissue. Based on the new findings, green tea extract may get in the way of this process by activating a protein known as Rho, which helps regulate actin's organization in cells and has been implicated in tumor development and progression. Clinical Cancer Research, Feb 2005

Learn how green tea fights cance
Compound can prevent diseased cells from growingSpanish and British scientists have discovered how green tea helps to prevent certain types of cancer. Researchers at the University of Murcia in Spain and the John Innes Center in Norwich, England have shown that a compound called EGCG in green tea prevents cancer cells from growing by binding to a specific enzyme. "We have shown for the first time that EGCG, which is present in green tea at relatively high concentrations, inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, which is a recognized, established target for anti-cancer drugs," Professor Roger Thorneley, of JIC, told Reuters. "This is the first time, to our knowledge, a known target for an anti-cancer drug has been identified as being inhibited by EGCG," he added. Green tea has about five times as much EGCG as regular tea, studies have shown. It decreased rates of certain cancers but scientists were not sure what compounds were involved or how they worked. Nor had they determined how much green tea a person would have to drink to have a beneficial effect, he said. Reuters, Mar 2005

Green tea extract 'is cancer aid'

Green tea extract 'is cancer aid'A green tea extract may help patients with a form of leukaemia, a study says. The tea, discovered in China nearly 5,000 years ago, has long been thought to have health benefits. But the team from the Mayo Clinic in the US found it appeared to improve the condition of four patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). BBC News Dec 22, 2005

Green Tea Catechins and Cancer Therapy
Green Tea Catechins and Cancer TherapyDNA and RNA are binding targets of green tea catechins, revealing their potential use in cancer therapy. "The significance of catechins, the main constituent of green tea, is being increasingly recognized with regard to cancer prevention. Catechins have been studied for interactions with various proteins, but the mechanisms of the various catechins are not yet elucidated," investigators in Japan reported. Drug Week, 8/18/06

Effects of various tea components on neoplastic cell transformation and carcinogenesis

Effects of various tea components on neoplastic cell transformation and carcinogenesis"Accumulating research evidence suggests that many of dietary factors, including tea compounds, may be used alone or in combination with traditional chemotherapeutic agents to prevent or treat cancer. The potential advantage of many natural or dietary compounds seems to focus on their potent anticancer activity combined with low toxicity and very few adverse side effects." Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week, 8/12/0

Lower Risk of Various Cancer

Lower Risk of Various CancerA study conducted in Japan found that increased green tea consumption before and after breast cancer surgery was associated with lower recurrence of the cancers. Studies in China show that the more green tea participants drank, the less the risk of developing stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colon cancer. Web MD April 28, 2009

Tea to Help Lower Risks of Lung Cancer

Tea to Help Lower Risks of Lung CancerResults from research showed that both smokers and non-smokers who did not drink green tea were 5 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day. Smokers who did not drink green tea at all were more than 12 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than those who drank at least one cup a day. Green tea's cancer fight capabilities are due to its rich concentration of polyphenols, notably a catechin called epiqgallocatechin-3-gallate, or as it's more commonly known as ECGC. The studies don't change the fact that smoking is bad for your health, and tea should not be an excuse to continue smoking. Bnet March 30, 2010

Cholesterol

Cholesterol-Fighter found
...tea extract cut total cholesterol by 11%...Failed at cutting your cholesterol with a low-fat diet? Try tea. New research confirms that extracts of black tea-the kind you get in Lipton or Tetley-can help reduce cholesterol. And now experts know why. Researchers at Vanderbilt University tested 240 people with mild to moderate high cholesterol who were on a low-fat diet. Half took a daily black tea extract with polyphenols called theaflavins (equal to 7 cups); the other half took a placebo. After 12 weeks, those on and LDL-the bad cholesterol-by an amazing 16%, compared with no change in the other group. "Over time, that could translate into a 16 to 24% reduction in risk of heart attack and stroke," says David Maron, MD, cardiologist and lead researcher. "Black tea theaflavins may help people who can't lower their LDL enough with diet alone, but whose level isn't high enough for drugs," says Maron. Prevention Magazine, Nov 2003

Tea lowers cholesterol level
Tea can lower 'bad' cholesterol levels, boost cardiovascular health, reduce DNA damage in smokers and contribute to a decrease in risk of rectal cancer in women.Researchers at the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland, asked test subjects to eat low-fat, low-calorie prepared meals and drink five cups of caffeinated tea or caffeinated and non-caffeinated placebos that mimicked the look of tea. Levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol dropped 10 percent among the test subjects who drank tea. Vegetarian Times, Jan 2003

"Good" cholesterols are unaffected
Black tea consumption may lower bad cholesterol levels and could one day be used to help reduce the chance of heart disease for those at risk.Scientists with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (news - web sites) said they found consumers who drank black tea for three weeks experienced a decrease of between 7 percent and 11 percent in their low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or so-called bad cholesterol. Exactly what caused the LDL cholesterol level to drop in those who consumed tea was unknown, but tests are being conducted to determine if the beverage slows the body's ability to absorb LDL cholesterol, the scientists said. There was no effect on the level of high-density lipoprotein, or the good type of cholesterol, according to the study of a small group of individuals. Washington (Reuters), October 2003

A profound inhibitory effect

Green tea consumption lowers cholesterol.The findings provide direct evidence that green tea has a profound inhibitory effect on the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. The Journal of Nutrition, Jun 2002

Dermatology

A safe and beneficial treatment for rosacea
Green Tea Helps Reduce Red in RosaceaGreen tea already is a favorite among fans of "natural" medicinal products. Now a cream made from an extract of freshly baked green tea leaves may be an effective treatment for a type of acne called papulopustular rosacea. Women treated with the green tea extract cream had a 70% improvement in rosacea compared with women treated with a placebo says Tanweer Syed, MD, PhD, an associate professor of dermatology at the University of San Francisco, Calif., who developed the tea extract. The study was presented at the American Academy of Dermatology meeting in San Francisco. RosaceaRosacea is a common skin condition which develops in phases. Typically, it starts with a tendency to blush -- rosy cheeks or redness and swelling in the center of the face which can progress to papulopustular rosacea. Tiny pimples begin to appear in and around the red areas. Treatment can control the symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse. Untreated, the condition can lead to chronic inflammation; the nose takes on the appearance of becoming red and enlarged. Syed tested the green tea extract cream in 60 women aged 25 to 50. All had visible signs of rosacea with papules and pustules as well as redness and swelling. American Academy of Dermatology, February 2005
Green tea can help with skin care
Green tea can help with skin careGreen tea contains amino acids, Vitamins B1, B2 and B3, Vitamins C, E, F, P and U, and several different minerals. Of course, all of these promote good health but the specific ingredients that make green tea good for skin care treatment are polyphenols � natural chemical substances found in plants, and thought to be very high in antioxidants. What can anti-oxidants do for you? The major benefit is that they kill free radicals, those nasty little cells that can cause cancer by altering the DNA. Including skin cancer. So, any product you can get your hands on that includes green tea might be beneficial. July 2007 The National Skin Care Institute

Diabetes

Oolong helps combat type 2 diabetes
Oolong tea may be an effective adjunct to oral hypoglycemic agents in the treatment of type 2 diabetes"Oolong tea is effective in lowering the plasma glucose levels of subjects who have type 2 diabetes and who take oral amihyperglycemic agents. Oolong tea, in conjunction with antihyperglycemic agents, was more effective in lowering plasma glucose than were the drugs alone." Diabetes Care, June 2003

Green Tea Can Help Battle Diabetes

Green Tea Can Help Battle DiabetesA compound found in Green Tea, epigallocatechin gallate (ECGC), was found to help moderately diabetic mice produce insulin and battle sugar levels. Though less potent than prescribed drugs, ECGC was able to register effects to produce beneficial results. China Post, September 2007

Tea Consumption Can Help Decrease the Risk of Developing Type 1

Tea Consumption Can Help Decrease the Risk of Developing Type 1In recent studies, researchers found that those drinking three to four cups of tea each day lowered their risk of diabetes by about 1/5 compared to those who didn�t drink tea. Studies show that it could be due to the components found in tea such as magnesium, lignans, and chlorogenic acids that assist the body in warding off diabetes risks. Health.com December 14, 2009

Eye Health

Green Tea Can Help Senior's Eye Health
Green Tea Can Help Senior's Eye HealthResearchers in Hong Kong have discovered that seniors who consume green tea refreshment may also enjoy better eye health. Results of the research state that green tea consumption could benefit the eye against oxidative stress, due to the catechins, an antioxidant, found in green tea. This antioxidant can be absorbed by the lens, retina, and eye tissue. Retirement Homes April 21, 2010

Green Tea Can Aid in the Prevention of Glaucoma

Green Tea Can Aid in the Prevention of GlaucomaResearchers have found that the catechins in green tea are one of the many antioxidants that have been found to protect the eye from certain diseases, including glaucoma. This antioxidants is absorbed into the tissue of the eye after passing through the gastrointestinal tract and the retina is shown to absorb the highest amount of catechins. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry April 21, 201

General Health

Is Tea is Healthier than Water?

Is Tea is Healthier than Water?Drinking three of more cups a day is as good for you as drinking plenty of water, and it may hav extra health benefits. Experts believe that flavonoids are one of the key ingredients in tea that promotes health; these antioxidants are found in tea and can help prevent cell damage. Daily Nation April 26, 2010

Tea Provides the Body with Plenty of Energy for Exercise
Tea Provides the Body with Plenty of Energy for ExerciseGood news for caffeine lovers! Caffeine, including the caffeine in tea, can be the perfect complement to your workouts. Several recent studies have found that a small dose before exercising helps improve performance. Post-exercise, a few cups of caffeinated tea can help your muscles recover more quickly. It seems that caffeine may speed up the blood�s transportation of glucose to the muscles. Health Magazine December 15, 2009

Can you drink too much tea?

Can you drink too much tea?The worst things that could happen from drinking too much tea, according to the integrative-medicine physician, are fluid overload, caffeine sensitivity (though green or black teas contain only 10 to 30 milligrams of caffeine per cup, whereas coffee contains 100 to 120 milligrams) or anemia (low blood-iron levels) due to tea binding with iron. So here's a hint: Vitamin C helps with the absorption of iron, so drop a wedge of lemon in your tea. Chicago Tribune, 8/15/0

Black Tea Remedy for Food Poisoning

Black Tea Remedy for Food PoisoningIf you suspect food poisoning, couple black tea with a few pieces of burned toast, says Georgianna Donadio, PhD, director of the National Institute of Whole Health, a holistic certification program for medical professionals. "The tannic acid in tea and charcoal in the toast will neutralize the toxins and help you get much better very quickly." Prevention, 9/2006

Heart Disease

Drinking black tea may help blood pressure

Drinking black tea may help blood pressure Drinking black tea may lower the risk of heart disease because it prevents blood from clumping and forming clots. In a recent study, researchers found that while drinking black tea, the participants had lower levels of the blood protein associated with coagulation. Better Nutrition, Jan 2002

Three cups for the heart

Tea consumption linked to reduced risk of myocardial infarction.Drinking more than three cups of black tea daily appears to reduce a patient's risk of myocardial infarction (MI), according to a longitudinal, population-based study. Researchers analyzed the tea consumption of 4,807 men and women ages 55 and older. They found that the risk of MI among those who consumed more than three cups of tea daily was about half that of non-tea drinkers. RN, Jun 2002

Surviving through tea

Tea may reduce a person's risk of dying after a heart attack.According to a recent report, drinking lots of tea may reduce a person's risk of dying after a heart attack. Scientists found that participants who drank the most tea were the least likely to die during the three or four years after a heart attack. Medical Update, January 2002

"Better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one"

After a heart-attack, tea reduces the risk of dying by 44 percent.Better to be deprived of food for three days than tea for one," says a Chinese proverb. Research is showing it may just be true. Last week Dr. Kenneth Mukamal of Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center reported that out of i,900 heart-attack patients, those who drank two or more cups a day reduced their risks of dying over the next 3.8 years by 44 percent. Newsweek, May 20, 2002

Lowering the risk of heart attack

Drinking at least 8 ounces of tea a day --- whether hot or cold --- appears to cut the risk of heart attack by 44 percent.In a 1998 study, Harvard University researchers found that drinking one cup of black tea a day lowered the risk of heart attack by as much as 44 percent compared with non-tea drinkers, and other studies have suggested that the antioxidants in these so-called real teas can also prevent cancer. The Atlanta Journal, July 9, 99

People who drank tea regularly had lower blood pressure than those who did not

People who drank tea regularly had lower blood pressure than those who did not"blood pressure measurements were lower among the tea drinkers. The researchers calculated that the odds of developing hypertension were cut almost in half among those who drank one small cup a day, and by about two-thirds among those who drank 20 ounces or more daily. There was no difference between those who drank green and black tea." New York Times, July 27, 2004

Hibiscus can help lower blood pressure

Hibiscus can help lower blood pressureStudies show Hibiscus sabdariffa L., an ingredient found in many herbal tea blends has antioxidant properties, and have demonstrated antihypertensive properties. These results suggest daily consumption of hibiscus tea, in an amount readily incorporated into the diet, lowers BP in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults and may prove an effective component of the dietary changes recommended for people with these conditions. The Journal of Nutrition December 16, 2009

Green tea consumption cuts risk of cardiovascular disease

Green tea consumption cuts risk of cardiovascular diseaseA recent study carried out by researchers from Okayama University has shown that frequent consumption of green tea could contribute to lowering mortality due to cardiovascular disease. When the researchers compared tea consumption between people who drank one cup a days as opposed to seven or more cups a day, it was found that people who consumed more tea had a 55 and 75% lower risk of cause and mortality of CVD. BNet October 2009

Immune Strength

Stave off a Cold

...tea may help prevent or lessen the severity of... conditionsTake frequent tea breaks this winter, and you may just get through it without a sniffle. Immunologists at Harvard University discovered that people who drank five cups of black tea a day for 2 weeks transformed their immune system T cells into "Hulk cells" that pumped out 10 times more cold and flu virus-fighting interferon than did the immune systems of those who didn't drink black tea. Green tea should work just as well. "Not just the common cold and flu, but food poisoning, infected cuts, athlete's foot-even diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria-are caused by germs that your body fights with interferon. We think the interferon boosts from tea may help prevent or lessen the severity of all these conditions," says Jack Bukowski, MD, PhD. While five cups a day may seem like a lot, he thinks fewer cups may still offer some valuable protection. "And the interferon link may explain tea's other health benefits, including its reported cancer-fighting power, since we already know that interferon slows the growth of tumor cells," says Bukowski. Prevention Magazine October 2003

More Good News
drinking tea boosts the immune system's first line of defense against infectionResults of a new study suggest that drinking tea boosts the immune system's first line of defense against infection. Researchers from Harvard Medical School asked volunteers who normally consume neither tea nor coffee to drink five to six cups of tea or instant coffee for two or four weeks. Afterward, blood tests showed tea drinkers' immune systems reacted against bacteria five times better than the immune systems of coffee drinkers. The tea seems to have helped make interferon gamma, an immune system protein. Next, the research team will study whether drinking tea actually protects people from getting sick. Another study, in mice, showed that animals genetically engineered to develop prostate cancer and fed the equivalent of about six cups of tea a day didn't develop tumors. No one knows if drinking tea will have the same effect in humans, but researchers noted that the tea-drinking country of China has the lowest prostate cancer rate in the world. Results of both studies were reported at the American Chemical Society meeting on September 8, 2003. American Chemical Society September 2003

EGCG, a powerful antioxidant

Both green and black teas might prevent cancer, heart disease and arthritis.In recent test-tube studies, a compound called EGCG, a powerful antioxidant in tea, inhibited an enzyme that cancer cells need in order to grow. The cancer cells that couldn't grow big enough to divide self-destructed. It would take about 4 cups of green tea a day to get the blood levels of EGCG that inhibited cancer in the study. Black tea also contains EGCG, but at much lower concentrations. USA Today, Feb 2, 2000

Sharpen the body's disease defenses

Tea helps fight infection"The [study] results gave clear proof that five cups of tea a day sharpened the body's disease defenses, said Dr. Jack F. Bukowski, a researcher at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bukowski and his co-authors isolated a substance called L-theanine from ordinary black tea. He said L-theanine was broken down in the liver to ethylamine, a molecule that primes the response of an immune system element called the gamma-delta T cell." New York Times, April 22, 2003

Drink a cup of tea - or four

Drink a cup of tea - or four"You don't have to be a doctor to know that tea can soothe a scratchy throat, ease a headache or simply take the edge off a long, hard day. But scientists have recently found other reasons for us all to drink a cup of tea - or four. Numerous studies show that its benefits, while not fully understood, are very real: tea combats heart disease, lowers cholesterol and staves off several types of cancer while protecting skin and strengthening bones and teeth." Town and Country, June 2003
Matcha, matcha-man!!

Matcha green tea has many antioxidants.For years, studies have indicated that the antioxidants in green tea offer protection against diseases, including cancer, and even fight dental cavities. One of the most beneficial of these antioxidants is called epigallocatechin gallate. At the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, [scientiest] used the chemical separation technique known as micellar electrokinetic chromatography to analyze matcha and a green tea commonly available in U.S. markets. The researchers found that samples of matcha had 200 times the concentration of epigallocatechin gallate in the common U.S. tea. Although most green teas are prepared in the familiar way-by steeping leaves in water-matcha is prepared by mixing hot water with powdered leaves. This is probably why matcha contains so much epigallocatechin gallate. Science News, Apr 12, 2003

Finally! Ice tea's praise!

Finally! Ice tea's praise!Even convenience iced teas contained at least as many antioxidants as fruits and veggies such as strawberries and spinach! Prevention, Jun 2002

China's Fountain of Youth

Green tea helps bolster the body's defenses."Drinking two or three American-size cups a day of green tea helps bolster the body's defenses, especially as you age, suggests Lester A. Mitscher, PhD, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and author of The Green Tea Book: China's Fountain of Youth" Prevention, April 2003
Skin safety
White-tea extract cream effective at boosting the immune function of skin cells.A study at the Skin Study Center at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western University in Ohio found a white-tea extract cream effective at boosting the immune function of skin cells. Wall Street Journal, April 1 2003

Green tea could fight autoimmune disorders

Green tea could fight autoimmune disordersPolyphenols founds in green tea may help protect the body autoimmune disorders, believes an oral biologist who has conducted extensive studies into their health promoting properties. Dr Stephen Hsu, a researcher at the Medical College of Georgia's School of Dentistry, suspected that there may be a link between green tea consumption and autoimmunity after noting that dry mouth, or xerostamina, an autoimmune disorder suffered by around 30 percent of elderly Americans, occurs in only one to two percent of Chinese people in the same age group. Green tea is a common component of the typical Chinese diet. Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system starts to attack the body's own tissues. They may be triggered by other health conditions, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's disease, and can have debilitating and even life threatening effects. Dr Hsu will present the findings of his latest investigations, involving green tea's role in producing autoantigens, at the Arthritis research Conference in Atlanta this weekend. Autoantigens are molecules that have useful functions, but changes in their amount or location can trigger an immune response. nutraingredients-usa.com, 6/16/2005

Liver

Tea protects transplanted livers

Tea Might Protect Transplanted LiversAn antioxidant found in green tea may help protect patients recovering from liver transplant, suggests a study in mice. Restrictions in blood flow, or ischemia, can lead to complications following liver transplantation in humans, particularly if the liver is fatty, as it can be in obese individuals. But a natural antioxidant found in green tea may protect transplanted organs from ischemia-linked damage, according to researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. A previous study found the simple act of rinsing fatty livers in a solution containing green tea extract helped prevent transplant failure. In their study, the Charleston team gave mice doses of EGCG, the major antioxidant flavonoid found in green tea. They then performed surgeries resulting in ischemia that threatened to injure the rodents' livers. Mice receiving the green tea derivative showed a 100 percent post-surgery survival rate, compared to a 65 percent survival for animals not receiving the compound. Tissue analysis showed that mice receiving the tea extract experienced less liver cell death and retained a higher percentage of viable tissue. Further research suggests the green tea extract acts as an antioxidant, protecting fatty livers from injury while reducing liver fat content by about 55 percent. HealthDayNews, Feb 2005

Stroke Prevention

Tea Can Help Prevent Strokes

Tea Can Help Prevent StrokesJapanese researchers found that people who drank at least 5 cups of green tea daily had a whopping 62% lower risk of dying from clot-caused strokes. Experts think that the antioxidants found in tea help keep platelets slide past each other, preventing harmful blood clots that can lead to strokes. Prevention December 5, 2006

Tooth Health

Is Tea Good For Your Teeth?

Is Tea Good For Your Teeth?Tea provides protection against tooth plaque and potential tooth decay, plus it has been shown to help strengthen bones. Tea contains flouride, which is good for your teeth. Tea is best drunk plain in order to reap benefits for tooth health. Daily Nation April 26, 2010

Tea Can Aid in Periodontal Health

Tea Can Aid in Periodontal HealthHigher the intake of tea, according to studies conducted amount middle-aged men in Japan, the more of a reduced risk of periodontal diseases, such as gum bleeding, loss of teeth, etc. Research shows that catechins present in green tea helped promote an antioxidant effect that inhibited inflammation and bacterial growth. Life Extension, July 2009

Weight Loss

Trying to lose weight? Another benefit of green tea!!
Trying to lose weight? Another benefit of green tea!! Compared to the placebo and caffeine, green tea extract consumption produced a significant 4% increase in 24-hour energy expenditure. If you consume 2,000 calories per day and don't gain or lose weight (you're in energy balance), an increase of 4% would translate roughly into an 80-calorie daily difference. Over a year, this could result in 8 pounds of weight loss. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Nov 1999

Burning off those Munchkins

Daily intake of the tea burns extra calories"In a 1999 Swiss study, six out of 10 men taking capsules of green tea extract burned, on average, about an extra 80 calories a day-the equivalent of 3 tablespoons of ice cream, 7 potato chips, or 1 Dunkin' Donuts Munchkin. A second study, conducted by researchers from the US Department of Agriculture, saw an extra 67 calories a day burned in men who were assigned to drink about 5 cups of tea (not green) each day." Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, June 2003

Accelerate calorie burning
Recent evidence shows that in the battle of fat loss, green tea may be superior to plain caffeine.According to a new study, green tea appears to accelerate calorie burning -- including fat calories. Researchers suggest compounds in green tea called flavonoids may change how the body uses a hormone called norepinephrine, which then speeds the rate calories are burned. Joe Weider's Muscle & Fitness, April 2000
Black vs Green

Black is just as healthful as Green
Black tea is turning out to be just as healthful as green tea.Regular black tea is turning out to be just as healthful as green tea. The evidence for tea's health effects comes mainly from lab studies, though some human studies point to possible benefits in preventing heart disease and cancer. University of California Wellness Letter, Mar 2002

Green and black tea fight diabetes

Green and black tea fight diabetesBlack tea is as good as green tea in reducing sugar levels and inhibiting cataracts in diabetic mice, researchers said Tuesday. The study by the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania found both teas reduced glucose levels and other diabetic complications, such as cataracts, during the three-month test on rats. "Most people, scientists included, believe that green tea has more health benefits than black tea," said lead author Joe Vinson. of the research to be published in the American Chemical Society's Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The finding that green and black teas are beneficial suggests the drinks could be simple and inexpensive ways for humans to fight diabetes, he said. Vinson's earlier work showed both teas equally inhibited atherosclerosis, a major risk for people suffering from heart disease as plaque builds up on arterial walls. United Press Int'l, April 19 2005

Decaf Tea

Retain 90% of its cancer-fighting properties with decaf

Tea decaffeinated using a natural CO-2 process retains 90% of its cancer-fighting properties.If caffeine is removed with a compound called ethyl acetate, only about 30% of the tea's healing polyphenols (believed to fight cancer and heart disease) remain. But if caffeine is removed using a more expensive water-and-carbon-dioxide process, about 90% of the polyphenols remain. Prevention, February 2000

Cut your caffeine intake!

Cut your caffeine intake!CLOSE YOUR EYES AND INHALE DEEPLY the scent of a juicy, summer peach, ready to burst. Or apple cobbler as the aroma curls out of the oven on a snowy Saturday evening. Now imagine the same experience, available year-round, coming from a cup of tea. Sip it. Love it. Luxuriate in it. And know that nowadays tea sipping can not only delight the senses, but it just might be good for your health as well. It's true. New research shows that regular consumption of tea (the world's favorite beverage, next to water) has been linked to lower risk of both heart disease and cancer. And these days, flavored teas come in an abundance of lip-smacking varieties like ginger-peach, passion fruit, apple-cinnamon, vanilla-almond and peppermint. You can drink it hot, iced and with sugar or lemon. It's flexible enough to suit every taste. Plus, it's cheap and easy to make. When we talk about tea here, we mean one of three kinds: green, oolong or black (most Americans drink black). All three come from the leaves of one plant-the tea bush Camellia sinensis. Flavored black is simply black tea that has been mixed with ingredients like dried flower petals or oils (Earl Grey, a black tea with oil of bergamot, is probably the best known). Notice that we didn't say herbal. That's because an herbal tea, by definition, does not contain any true "tea" leaves. All three teas boast rich amounts of naturally occurring compounds called flavonoids. Scientists believe it may be these compounds that could account for the lower risk of cancer and heart disease among tea drinkers. In part, flavonoids work as antioxidants-substances that protect cells from troublemaking particles called free radicals. They also may discourage blood from forming dangerous dots that bring on heart attacks and strokes. Prevention, May 1996

Rooibos: caffeine free and healthy

Rooibos Tea: Caffeine Free and HealthyFrom the Himalayas to the Cliffs of Dover, people drink tea with faithful ritual. In Tibet they take it with butter, in England with cream. And now there's good reason for Americans to take it seriously. The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, comes in many forms--black, green, oolong. What makes Camellia so healthful is its polyphenols, antioxidants that protect against cell damage and help prevent diseases like age-related decline, cancer and heart disease. But herbal teas like chamomile don't have the same benefits. That is, all except one. The South African "rooibos," meaning red bush in Afrikaans, has the benefits of Camellia without the caffeine. Daneel Ferreira, M.D., of the University of Mississippi, studied and compared rooibos with Camellia and found that both contain a similar amount of polyphenols. And a study at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom bears out the benefits. Researchers found that tea drinking is associated with higher bone-mineral density. Among the 1,256 women studied, tea drinkers were up to 20% less likely to suffer bone fractures. And at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, tea polyphenols helped prevent the development of arthritis in lab mice. With rooibos's many benefits, Americans should consider incorporating England's afternoon tea ritual--for both its soothing and healing potential. Psychology Today, Mar/Apr 2001

Loose vs Bags

More antioxidants with loose tea

More antioxidants with loose teaIn Japan, folks often drink 4 to 10 cups of green tea daily, says tea researcher Lester A. Mitscher, PhD. Here's how to get the biggest antioxidant boost, Fresh brewed is best. Antioxidant catechins-the potential sniffle stoppers in green tea-break down fast. Keep it loose. Tea made from loose leaves has more antioxidants than tea bags, which tend to have lower-quality, powdered leaves. Watch your water. Chlorine in tap water can lower antioxidant levels if it is not brought to a full boil first. For the best -- tasting tea, use distilled water; the minerals in water change tea's flavor. Time it. Steep for just 2 to 3 minutes to avoid a bitter taste. Prevention, April 2003

Tea is Good for You

Hardly a week goes by without news of yet another research study confirming the health benefits of tea. However, not all teas are equally good for you. The chart nearby compares the ECGCs (tea's healthy flavonoids) found in our full-leaf teas versus those found in the supermarket tea bags. Unsurprisingly, the full-leaf teas yield 1/3 to 1/2 more ECGCs, delivering more benefits in each cup. Chromadex

White Tea

An even more potent anti-cancer quality
White tea appears to have more potent anticancer qualities than green tea.White tea appears to have more potent anticancer qualities than green tea, according to studies performed at the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University in Corvallis. The researchers tested the tea to determine whether it could help prevent genetic mutations in bacteria, and colon and rectal cancer in cancer-prone rats. In both experiments, white tea was shown to have a strong protective effect. White tea offered significantly more protection than green tea. "I was surprised by the potency. We were not expecting that much of a good result," Dr. Santana-Rios told Reuters Health. Reuters Health, March 30, 2000

White tea helps fight viruses and bacteria

White tea helps fight viruses and bacteriaIf you're trying to fight off infections and illness, sip white tea instead of green, suggests Milton Schiffenbauer, Ph.D., a microbiologist and professor at Pace University in New York City. In laboratory tests, Schiffenbauer found white tea, which has a delicate flavor, more effective than green tea at inactivating viruses, bacteria and fungi responsible for streptococcus infections and pneumonia. When it comes to fighting bugs, "white tea is about 10 percent more effective than green," he says. Shape Magazine, October 2004

White Tea has Anti-viral benefits
White Tea has Anti-viral benefitsStudies conducted by Milton Schiffenbauer, PhD, at Pace University in New York City show that white tea extract contains antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Drinking white tea was as effective at suppressing intestinal tumors as ingesting sulindac (Clinoril), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for cancer treatment, in a study published in the February 2003 issue of Carcinogenesis. Better Nutrition, 9/2006 Vol 68, Issue 9

I hope you enjoy your tea today!