Home Medicinal Plants Green tea (camellia sinensis): what is it for and how to take it

Green tea (camellia sinensis): what is it for and how to take it

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The medicinal plant scientifically called Camellia sinensis can be used both to produce green tea and red tea, which are rich in caffeine, and help you lose weight, lower cholesterol and prevent the onset of heart disease.

This plant can be found in the form of tea or capsules and is also indicated to detoxify the liver and contributes to the elimination of cellulite, and can be consumed in the form of warm or iced tea. It can be purchased at health food stores, drugstores and some supermarkets.

Benefits of green tea

Green tea has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anti-tumor and energizing action, as it has flavonoids, catechins, polyphenols, alkaloids, vitamins and minerals in its composition that contribute to the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Thus, the main benefits of green tea are:

  • Improves the immune system; Helps with weight loss; Combats chronic inflammation caused by the accumulation of body fat; Helps in controlling the amount of circulating sugar in the blood; Fights osteoporosis; Helps maintain alertness and attention.

In addition, due to its large amount of antioxidants, green tea can prevent premature aging, since it increases the production of collagen and elastin, maintaining the health of the skin. In addition, regular consumption of green tea can have long-term benefits, such as increased nerve connections, which can also be related to preventing Alzheimer's, for example.

Nutritional information of green tea

Components Amount per 240 ml (1 cup)
Energy 0 calories
Water 239.28 g
Potassium 24 mg
Caffeine 25 mg

How to take

The used parts of green tea are its leaves and buttons for making teas or slimming capsules, which can be purchased at pharmacies and health food stores.

To make tea, just add 1 teaspoon of green tea in a cup of boiling water. Cover, let warm for 4 minutes, strain and drink up to 4 cups a day.

Side effects and contraindications

Side effects of green tea include nausea, stomach pain and poor digestion. In addition, it also reduces the ability of blood to clot and therefore should be avoided before surgery.

Green tea is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for patients with difficulty sleeping, gastritis or high blood pressure.

Green tea (camellia sinensis): what is it for and how to take it