Green Tea is one of the most extensively, and successfully, researched herbs in the world today.

It was first noticed several decades ago, that people involved in presenting the green tea ceremonies had remarkably low incidence of cancer. Hundreds of studies later, we now know that green tea, and in fact all tea (Camellia sinensis) as a wide range of beneficial properties for reducing risks of cancer, heart disease and liver disease, plus antioxidant properties, benefits for the skin and much more. Here is some of the recent research on tea and its antioxidant polyphenols. Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.)a reliable herbal sedative

April 11, 2010 by Christine Filed under All, Herbs, Natural Healthcare, Science, Tea, Top Stories

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passionflsmFrom time to time, many people experience difficulty falling asleep. The best way to manage your sleep cycle is to have a bedtime routine and stick to the routine every night. But when your routine does not work nor does the warm glass of milk there are herbal allies which can help. Passion Flower is one of these herbs. Next time try a nice cup of tea with Passion Flower in the ingredients.

Extracts and fluid extracts from the aerial parts from Passiflora incarnata L. are widely used as components of herbal sedatives. Many pharmacological investigations confirm the sedative effects of Passiflorae herba. From some of the studies also anxiolytic effects can be deduced. As Passionflower is mainly used in combinations, clinical studies of the single drug are not available. Based on pharmacological data, the experiences of traditional use and the use in combinations Passiflora extracts are an important factor in the phytotherapy of tenseness, restlessness and irritability with difficulty in falling asleep.

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):404-6.

Tags: Tiger Woods and Theanine to the Next level

May 26, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under People, Tea

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Tiger Woods says his experience with the calming alkaloid l-theanine in the form of Gatorade Tiger Focus, is taking me someplace I never imagined. An article in The Gazette, May 24, 2009 details some of the research on theanine and the tea paradox of how a caffeinated beverage can be described as calming.

A relaxed, awake state is associated with Alpha waves, and an awake and excited brain will emit high frequency Beta waves. Caffeine can be shown to suppress theta and alpha waves, while promoting the beta waves that are linked with stress and anxiety. So, what does theanine do?

A number of studies have confirmed that within 30 minutes of ingesting theanine, there is a measurable enhancement of alpha wave activity, implying an alert but relaxed state.

And while clinical studies to date dont show an improvement in memory or mental function in humans, rodent studies show some promise. The dose of theanine in the Gatorade product, 25 mg per serving, is below the levels used in studies, but tea itself does fall within the range of use that affects alpha brain waves.

Tags: Green Tea Research

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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Green Tea is one of the most extensively, and successfully, researched herbs in the world today. It was first noticed several decades ago, that people involved in presenting the green tea ceremonies had remarkably low incidence of cancer. Hundreds of studies later, we now know that green tea, and in fact all tea (Camellia sinensis) as a wide range of beneficial properties for reducing risks of cancer, heart disease and liver disease, plus antioxidant properties, benefits for the skin and much more. We hear present some of the recent research on tea and its antioxidant polyphenols.

For all the latest news on tea, click Tea under Categories to the right.

Tea Antiinflammatory Green tea polyphenols such as EGCG have potent anti-inflammatory properties. Prior research had shown that EGCG inhibits tumor necrosis factor through a mechanism that was thought to have implications for inflammation generally. Epidemiological studies link regular consumption of tea with decreased cancer risk and a reduction in mortality during the 12 month period following a heart attack. Considerably less is known regarding the mechanisms by which tea confers these health benefits. The present research demonstrates one important mechanism Read more

Tags: Green Tea And Thermogenesis

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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The thermogenic effect of tea is generally attributed to its caffeine content. An article in Alternative Medicine Review reports that green tea extract stimulates brown adipose tissue thermogenesis to an extent which is much greater than can be attributed to its caffeine content alone. Read more

Tags: Green Tea Polyphenol EGCG Inhibits Breast Cancer

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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The incidence of late onset breast cancer has been increasing dramatically in the United States. Since genetic factors are believed to result primarily in early onset cases, accumulation of environmental toxins has been proposed as one factor in the increased incidence. Research reported in the Journal of Nutrition demonstrates that EGCG can protect mice against carcinogen induced breast tumors. The green tea polyphenol significantly decreased mammary tumor burden and invasiveness and significantly increased latency to the first tumor. The authors suggest the ability of EGCG and other tea polyphenols to inhibit carcinogenesis make EGCG a good template for deriving small molecule drugs. Modifications and structure may improve the pharmacokinetics and effectiveness. As a readily available dietary substance, it holds promise for prevention of early-stage cancer. FULL ARTICLE > Read more

Tags: Cardiovascular Benefits of EGCG

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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Recent research published in the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology And Metabolism describes wide-ranging cardiovascular protective functions of a green tea polyphenol, EGCG. EGCG improved endothelial function and insulin sensitivity, reduced blood pressure and protected against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury. The addition of improvements in insulin sensitivity to the cardiovascular benefits indicates the benefit of green tea polyphenols against metabolic syndrome with hypertension, insulin resistance and overweight.

Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2007 Jan 16; [Epub ahead of print]Potenza MA, Marasciulo FL, Tarquinio M, et al.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a bioactive polyphenol in green tea, may augment metabolic and vascular actions of insulin. We investigated effects of EGCG treatment to simultaneously improve cardiovascular and metabolic function in SHR rats (model of metabolic syndrome with hypertension, insulin resistance, and overweight). In acute studies, EGCG (1-100 microM) elicited dose-dependent vasodilation in mesenteric vascular beds (MVB) from SHR ex vivo, inhibitable by L-NAME (NOS antagonist) or wortmannin (PI 3-kinase inhibitor). In chronic studies, 9-wk old SHR were treated by gavage for 3 weeks with EGCG (200 mg/kg/d), enalapril (30 mg/kg/d), or vehicle. A separate group of SHR receiving L-NAME (80 mg/L in drinking water) was treated for 3 weeks with either EGCG or vehicle. Vasodilator actions of insulin were significantly improved in MVB from EGCG- or enalapril-treated SHR (compared with vehicle-SHR). Both EGCG and enalapril therapy significantly lowered systolic blood pressure (SBP) in SHR. EGCG therapy of SHR significantly reduced infarct size and improved cardiac function in Langendorff-perfused hearts exposed to ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R). In SHR given L-NAME, effects of EGCG on SBP and I/R were not observed. Both enalapril and EGCG treatment of SHR improved insulin sensitivity and raised plasma adiponectin. We conclude that acute actions of EGCG to stimulate

production of NO from endothelium using PI 3-kinase dependent pathways may explain, in part, beneficial effects of EGCG therapy to simultaneously improve metabolic and cardiovascular pathophysiology in SHR. These findings may be relevant to understanding potential benefits of green tea consumption in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Tags: Green Tea for HIV Treatment?

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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The green tea flavonoid EGCG has potential therapeutic value for treatment to for HIV-1 infection EGCG binds to the CD4 molecule on T-cells according to research conducted in 2006. We have demonstrated clear evidence of high affinity binding of EGCG to the CD4 molecule. EGCG has potential use as an adjunctive treatment in HIV-1 infection.

J Allergy Cli, Immunol Williamson ME McCormick TG, Nance CL, Shearer WT. 2006;118:1369-1374. Epigallocatechin gallate, the main polyphenol in green tea, binds to the T-cell receptor, CD4: potential for HIV-1 therapy.(Recent Abstracts)(Brief article) BACKGROUND: The green tea flavonoid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has been proposed to have an anti-HIV-1 effect by preventing the

binding of HIV-1 glycoprotein (gp) 120 to the CD4 molecule on T cells. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that EGCG binds to the CD4 molecule at the gpl20 attachment site and inhibits gp120 binding at physiologically relevant levels, thus establishing EGCG as a potential therapeutic treatment for HIV-1 infection. METHODS: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to examine the binding of EGCG and control, (-)-catechin, to CD4-IgG2 (PRO 542). Gp120 binding to human CD4+ T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Addition of CD4 to EGCG produced a linear decrease in nuclear magnetic resonance signal intensity from EGCG but not from the control, (-)-catechin. In saturation transfer difference experiments, addition of 5.8 micromol/L CD4 to 310 micromol/L EGCG produced strong saturation at the aromatic rings of EGCG, but identical concentrations of (-)-catechin produced much smaller effects, implying EGCG/CD4 binding strong enough to reduce gp120/ CD4 binding substantially. Molecular modeling studies suggested a binding site for EGCG in the D1 domain of CD4, the pocket that binds gpl20. Physiologically relevant concentrations of EGCG (0.2 micromol/L) inhibited binding of gp120 to isolated human CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated clear evidence of high-affinity binding of EGCG to the CD4 molecule with a Kd of approximately 10 nmol/L and inhibition ofgpl20 binding to human CD4+ T cells. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Epigallocatechin gallate has potential use as adjunctive therapy in HIV-1 infection.

Tags: USP Investigates Safety Of Green Tea Extracts

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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Green tea is the fourth most commonly used dietary supplement in the United States. After the publication of adverse event case reports involving green tea products and potential liver toxicity, the US Pharmacopeia reviewed safety information for green tea products. 216 case reports on green tea products were analyzed including 34 reports concerning liver damage. 27 reports pertaining to liver damage were categorized as possible causality and seven as probable causality. Pharmacokinetic and animal toxicological studies indicate that consumption of green tea concentrated extracts on an empty stomach is more likely to lead to adverse effects than consumption in the fed state. USP concluded when dietary supplement products containing green tea extracts are used in formulated appropriately the Committee is unaware of significant safety issues that would prohibit monograph development, provided that caution statement is included in the labeling section.

Safety of Green Tea Extracts : A Systematic Review by the US Pharmacopeia. Drug Saf. 2008;31(6):469-84.. Sarma DN, Barrett ML, Chavez ML, Gardiner P, Ko R, Mahady GB, Marles RJ, Pellicore LS, Giancaspro GI, Low Dog T.

Green tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] is the fourth most commonly used dietary supplement in the US. Recently, regulatory agencies in France and Spain suspended market authorization of a weight-loss product containing green tea extract because of hepatotoxicity concerns. This was followed by publication of adverse event case reports involving green tea products. In response, the US Pharmacopeia (USP) Dietary Supplement Information Expert Committee (DSI EC) systematically reviewed the safety information for green tea products in order to re-evaluate the current safety class to which these products are assigned. DSI EC searched PubMed (January 1966-June 2007) and EMBASE (January 1988-June 2007) for clinical case reports and animal pharmacological or toxicological information. Reports were also obtained from a diverse range of other sources, including published reviews, the US FDA MedWatch programme, USPs MEDMARX((R)) adverse event reporting system, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, and Health Canadas Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program. Case reports pertaining to liver damage were evaluated according to the Naranjo causality algorithm scale. In addition, the Committee analysed information concerning historical use, regulatory status, and current extent of use of green tea products. A total of 216 case reports on green tea products were analysed, including 34 reports concerning liver damage. Twenty-seven reports pertaining to liver damage were categorized as possible causality and seven as probable causality. Clinical pharmacokinetic and animal toxicological information indicated that consumption of green tea

concentrated extracts on an empty stomach is more likely to lead to adverse effects than consumption in the fed state. Based on this safety review, the DSI EC determined that when dietary supplement products containing green tea extracts are used and formulated appropriately the Committee is unaware of significant safety issues that would prohibit monograph development, provided a caution statement is included in the labelling section. Following this decision, USPs DSI ECs may develop monographs for green tea extracts, and USP may offer its verification programmes related to that dietary ingredient.

Tags: Green Tea Consumption And Liver Disease

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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Just to keep things in perspective, the previous item about green tea extracts potentially causing liver problems must be balanced against research showing that green tea is protective against liver disease. Chinese researchers a value weighted interventional and observational studies in both Western countries and in China published between 1989 and 2007. They found a significant protective role of green tea against various liver diseases and a positive correlation between green tea intake and attenuation of liver

disease. Their conclusion? An increased consumption of green tea may reduce the risk of liver disease.

Green tea consumption and liver disease: a systematic review. Liver Int. 2008 May 14. [Epub ahead of print] Jin X, Zheng RH, Li YM.

Objectives: To present the effect of green tea consumption against liver disease. Data sources: Interventional and observational studies both in Western countries and in China and published between the years 1989 and December 2007. Review Methods: The articles were retrieved from Medline, Embase database, Chinese biomedicine web database and Chinese scientific journals database using proper MESH headings and assessed by two independent investigators according to established inclusion criteria. The characteristics and outcomes of the chosen articles were displayed for further analysis and the quality of each study was also evaluated according to the widely acknowledged criteria. P<0.05 was defined as statistically significant in all enrolled trials. Results: Ten qualified studies (eight from China, one from Japan and the other from the USA) with various outcomes such as liver cancer, cirrhosis and fatty liver disease were finally chosen. Among them, study designs differed in that there were four randomized-controlled clinical trials, two cohort, one case-control and three cross-sectional studies. The heterogeneity in the study design, outcomes, cofounders and amount of tea consumption precluded further meta-analysis. Nevertheless, eight studies showed a significant protective role of green tea against various liver diseases as

determined by relative risk/odds ratio or P-value and among them, four studies showed a positive correlation between green tea intake and attenuation of liver disease. Moreover, the other two studies also presented the protective tendency of green tea against liver disease. Conclusions: An increased consumption of green tea may reduce the risk of liver disease.

Tags: Tea And Sweat: A New Antiaging Strategy

February 24, 2009 by Rob McCaleb Filed under All, Science, Tea

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Japanese researchers explored the effect of tea catechins and regular exercise and the aging associated declining physical performance in mice. The endurance capacity of mice as measured by running time decreased by 17% in control mice, while those fed green tea catechins (0.35%) suffered no decline in endurance. The authors concluded long-term intake of catechins, together with habitual exercise, is beneficial for suppressing the age-related decline in physical performance and energy metabolism, and these effects are due, at least in part, to improved mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle.

Tea catechin ingestion combined with habitual exercise suppresses the aging-associated decline in physical performance in senescence-accelerated mice.

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2008 May 14. Murase T, Haramizu S, Ota N, Hase T.

Catechins, which are abundant in green tea, possess a variety of biologic actions, and their clinical application has been extensively investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of tea catechins and regular exercise on the aging-associated decline in physical performance in senescence-accelerated prone mice (SAMP1) and age-matched senescence-accelerated resistant mice (SAMR1). The endurance capacity of SAMR1 mice, measured as the running time to exhaustion, tended to increase over the 8-week experimental period, whereas that of SAMP1 mice decreased by 17%. On the other hand, the endurance capacity of SAMP1 mice fed 0.35% (w/w) catechins remained at the initial level and was significantly higher than that of SAMP1 mice not fed catechins. In SAMP1 mice fed catechins and given exercise, oxygen consumption was significantly increased, and there was an increase in skeletal muscle fatty acid beta-oxidation. The mRNA levels of mitochondria-related molecules, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1, cytochrome c oxidase-II, III, and IV in skeletal muscle were also higher in SAMP1 mice given both catechins and exercise. Moreover, oxidative stress measured as thiobarbituric reactive substances was lower in SAMP1 groups fed catechins than in the SAMP1 control group. These results

suggest that long-term intake of catechins, together with habitual exercise, is beneficial for suppressing the aging-related decline in physical performance and energy metabolism, and that these effects are due, at least in part, to improved mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle. Key words: energy metabolism, exercise, green tea, mitochondria, oxidative stress.