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Organic Medicinal Green Tea

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Published: October 20, 2006

Does a hot cup of tea do more than just warm you up on a chilly morning? Could there be a reason drinking tea is almost an instinctual reaction when you are feeling sick? Indeed, studies have begun to validate these two natural human inclinations by uncovering the hidden medicinal benefits of organic tea.

Research has proven organic tea’s inherent medicinal benefits, placing organic tea in the category of herbalism, which includes practices based on the use of plants or plant extracts for healing purposes.

Of these organic teas, green tea resides as the granddaddy of them all. Working as a powerful antioxidant, green tea is said to neutralize potentially damaging free radicals existing as a byproduct of the natural process of oxidation. Left unchecked, these free radicals threaten to attack cells in the body and create a whole host of health problems.

Using organic tea medicinally hardly constitutes breaking news to people all over China, Japan and the Middle East. These cultures have long since believed in the life-giving force of the same tea which the Western world is only beginning to fully understand. Studies after studies in Western medicine are demonstrating no shortage of linkages between green tea drinkers and positive health.

Bauer Sumpio, M.D., professor and Chief of Vascular Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the Yale School of Medicine, offered one such speculation about the medical potency of green tea. In a recent article summarizing more than 100 experimental and clinical studies, Sumpio notes low rates of cardiovascular disease and cancer in Asian countries, despite the fact that those countries consume higher quantities of cigarettes than most others, and cigarettes are a common catalyst for such conditions.

Sumpio suggests the 1.2 liters of green tea consumed daily by many Asians – and the rich antioxidants accompanying it – has more to do with this "Asian Paradox" than just coincidence; he claims the antioxidants found in green tea are directly responsible for the decline in two chronic conditions such as cardiovascular problems and cancer. More potential health benefits from components of green tea include decreases in blood pressure and cholesterol, quicker recoveries from colds, flu and other viruses, and allergy reduction.

Polyphenols and catechins are the main wonder-working ingredients found in green tea substantiating Sumpio’s beliefs. These powerful chemical substances not only act as antioxidants by warding off the harmful free radicals, but they also provide a warm welcome for the more helpful enzymes and bacteria found in the human body. Why not stock up on antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables and forget the tea? Researchers estimate the activity of the antioxidants in green tear is greater than that of 21 fruits and vegetables.

Despite the mounting evidence about medicinal benefits of green tea, in the United States it all officially remains in the realm of the speculative. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have yet to accept green tea – or any other organic tea – as a legitimate form of medicine or disease prevention technique.

Sumpio said more studies are necessary to fully elucidate and better understand green tea's method of action, particularly at the cellular level. Evidence, however, strongly suggests green tea consumption is a useful dietary habit for lowering the risk for, as well as treatment of, a number of chronic diseases.

When purchasing green tea, organic is the best way to go. Not only does organic green tea lack the chemicals and fertilizers threatening to get into your body with conventional growing patterns, but organic tea also is said to carry a fuller and richer taste. And as with most organic products, the possibilities for side effects when drinking organic green tea are minimal.

Experts agree: the possibility for a health boost from organic green tea soars well beyond any potential dangers associated with it. So, drink up and give herbalism a chance.


Sources:
Health Benefits of Tea. Holistic Health Tools. 18 October 2006.
<http://www.holistichealthtools.com/healthben efits.html.>
Organic Green Tea. Health and Yoga Online. 2006. 18 October 2006.
<http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/product/or ganictea.html.>
Sumpio, M.D., Bauer. Green Tea and the Asian Paradox. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. Yale University Office of Public Affairs. May 2006. 18 October 2006. <http://www.yale.edu/opa/newsr/06-06-01-01.all. html.>
Takano, Junji. Three Bags of Green Tea a Day can Cheat Heart Attack. Pyro-Energen. 18 October 2006. <http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles/green-tea- heart-attack.htm.>
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