The Elixir of LifeThe utilisation of tea as a medicinal drink can be traced back to
3000 B.C. After reviewing more than 500 references on the traditional medicine and tea
sciences, 60 kinds of healthy protective action and 20 kinds of medical effectiveness of
tea were recorded. Tea is a wonderful plant and beverage. Tea is a wholesome and
refreshing drink having a quietening or anodyne effect upon the digestive and nervous
systems. Tea creates a sense of well being free from intemperances, provides cerebration
and stimulates the spinal cord, stomach and intestines. Tea is said to engender
psycho-sociological solace and satisfaction, accentuate consciousness, enhance memory and
perception, relieve fatigue and induce tranquillity and mental equilibrium.
Some recent findings about constituents in tea make it a
marketing man's dream and drinking more cups of tea might keep you out of a drug store.
The Cup of Good Health
| Catechins |
- Lowers blood triglyceride, blood cholesterol, prevents
atherosclerosis
- Reduces incidence of cancer
- Reduces oxidation by active oxygen
- Strengthens blood vessel wall, regulates their
permeability
- Inhibits increase of blood sugar
- Inhibits increase of blood pressure
- Reduces tumours
- Reduces mutations
- Helps in the treatment of radiation sickness
- Prevents dental caries by keeping of the causative
bacteria (Streptococcus, Bacillus lacticus)
- Kills influenza virus
- Beneficial in the treatment of dysentery
- Prevents halitosis
|
| Caffeine |
- Stimulates wakefulness, CNS stimulant
- Gives relief from fatigue, neuralgia and headaches
- Acts as diuretic
|
| Flavonoids |
- Strengthens blood vessel blood capillary walls
- Reduces oxidation by active oxygen
- Acts as anti-inflammatory agent
- Increases the level of catecholamines
- Stimulates folic acid biosynthesis
- Normalises thyroid hyperfunction
|
| Fluoride |
|
| Quercitin |
- Acts as spasmolytic
- Helps in the treatment of acute diarrhoea
|
Vitamin B Complex
(Riboflavin, Biotin, Niacin, Pantothenate,
Inositol) |
- Aids carbohydrate and fat metabolism
- Helps in inter and intracellular Calcium ion transport
- Helps in moisturisation of the skin
|
| Vitamin E |
- Acts as antioxidant and regulates ageing
- Acts as analgesic
- Acts as antipyretic
|
| Polysaccharides |
|
| Methyl xanthine |
|
| Theaflavin, Thearubigin |
- Antagonises the activity of bradykinin
- Inhibits arginine and ornithine decarboxylases
|
| Theophylline |
- Modulates immune response
- Helps in treatment of asthma
- Salutary effects on cardiac function
|
Essential Amino Acids
(Leucine, Phenylalanine, Valine, Threonine) |
- Helps in metabolism
- Maintains nitrogen equilibrium
|
| Theanine |
- Gives tea its delicious taste
- Helps in ammonia and urea metabolism
- Helps in water clearance by renal tissues
|
| Linolenic Acid |
- Reduces platelet aggregation
|
| Tea Pigments |
- Decreases plasma fibrinogen
|
| Linalool, Geraniol,
Hexenal |
- Gives tea its fresh, green aroma
|
| Seleno-cysteine |
- Supports normal thyroid function (helps in the conversion
of T4 to physiologically effective T3)
|
| GABA |
|
|
