Specialist Doctor 2 Huynh Tan Vu, lecturer of Traditional Medicine Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, said that green tea is a medium-sized plant, 5 - 6 m high, some plants can grow up to 10 m. The scientific name of the tea plant is Camellia sinensis. The plant grows in bushes, has many branches, the trunk and branches are brown, some young branches are green.
Green tea leaves and buds are used for many medicinal values. Green tea leaves are harvested in spring, only young tea leaves and buds are harvested. Then they are washed and boiled to drink or crushed and dried for later use.
"Green tea leaves are a popular beverage in many cultures, providing a number of important health benefits, such as protecting the health of our brain, heart and bones as well as beautifying the skin. However, improper use can be harmful to the body. Therefore, you should drink green tea at the right time and in the right dosage," Dr. Vu shared.
Green tea leaves contain many chemical components, including flavonoids, triterpene saponins, caffeine, tannine, quercetin, essential oils, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), riboflavin (vitamin B), carotene, malic acid, theophylline, xanthin, oxalic acid, kaempferol, etc. These compounds have wonderful effects such as stopping diarrhea, reducing the risk of cancer, preventing and protecting the cardiovascular system, anti-aging, maintaining healthy bones and joints, enhancing memory, protecting the liver, controlling blood pressure, preventing complications of diabetes, reducing the risk of inflammatory diseases, supporting the treatment of asthma and reducing the risk of tooth decay, etc.
Green tea leaves have many health benefits.
Green tea is non-toxic, so it can be used in large doses (about 200 g/day). Tea leaves are used in decoction form or externally as a poultice, soak, or bath water. According to Oriental medicine, green tea leaves have a bitter, astringent taste, cool properties, and have diuretic, calming, cooling, thirst-quenching, digestive, and body-cooling effects.
Should be drunk hot
Green tea is cold in nature, so it should not be served cold because too cold will cause phlegm. Therefore, it should be drunk hot. In some places, both inside and outside the country, there is a custom of drinking hot tea, sometimes even adding a slice of fresh ginger to the tea.
Do not use when hungry or at night
Green tea contains a large amount of caffeine, which can cause dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness if consumed on an empty stomach. Caffeine in green tea leaves has the effect of stimulating the central nervous system to increase concentration and brain activity. Therefore, drinking green tea in the evening can cause difficulty sleeping and insomnia. Green tea should be consumed early in the morning to keep the mind alert and increase work and study efficiency, etc.
Because green tea is cold, it is better to drink it warm.
Do not use immediately after eating
Avoid drinking green tea immediately after eating because tannins can reduce the absorption of iron and nutrients in food.
Do not use for people with constipation or taking blood clot dissolving medication.
"The tannin in green tea has the effect of stopping diarrhea, so people with constipation should limit their use. Do not use tea leaves for people taking blood-thinning drugs because green tea contains vitamin K - which increases blood clotting ability," Dr. Vu explained.
In addition, people with nervous breakdown, insomnia, and high blood pressure should also limit their use of green tea, because green tea contains a lot of caffeine, which stimulates the nerves, increases the burden on the heart, increases heart rate, and increases blood pressure.
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