Common Name Green Tea

Latin Binomial Camellia sinensis L. Kuntze
Family: Theaceae

Part used Dried leaves

Active Constituents Catechins: polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant properties.

Catechin
Epicatechin (EC)
Epigallocatechin (EGC)
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Epicatechin gallate (ECG)

Catechins are flavonoids, and represent 30-50% of dry leaf by mass.

Pharmacological actions As an anti-cancer agent, green tea extract may block the frequency of sister chromatid exchange (SCE), a bio-marker of mutagenesis. (42)

Summary A review of 31 epidemiological studies of green tea extract consumption and cancer risk found no overall consistent effect. (38)
Green tea extract is a useful addition to a low-saturated fat diet to reduce LDL cholesterol in hypocholesterolemic adults and is well tolerated. (39)
The extract protects against oxidative damage (40) and acts to slow an increase in plasma triglycerol levels following a fat load. (41)

Contra-Indications Since polyphenols inhibit platelet aggregation, green tea extract should be used with caution in patients with a history of bleeding or hemostatic disorders. (42) Individuals should stop use 14 days prior to surgery.
Drug-Interactions
Green tea extract should not be used with anticoagulants, aspirin, or anti-platelet drugs.
Pregnancy or lactation
Nothing reported, but given lack of data use should be avoided.

Side Effects Green tea has been consumed in China for over 4000 years. However, all natural products may contain contaminants and thus, the quality of the source must be considered.

Herbal use/indication Green tea is used as a preventative anti-cancer agent, and in cardiovascular disease.

Mason P. Dietary Supplements. Third edition. Grayslake, Il. Pharmaceutical Press; 2007. 387p.

Bushman JL. Green tea and cancer in humans: a review of the literature. Nutr Cancer 1998; 31: 151-159.

Maron DJ, Lu GP, Cai NS, et al. Cholesterol lowering effect of a flavin-enriched green tea extract; a randomised controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 2003; 163: 1448-1453.

Erba D, Riso P, Bordoni A, et al. Effectiveness of moderate green tea consumption on antioxidative status and plasma lipid profile in humans. J Nutr Biochem 2005; 16: 144-149.

Unno T, Tago M, Suzuki Y, et al. Effect of tea catechins on postprandial plasma lipid responses in human subjects. Br J Nutr 2005; 93: 543-547.