Properties: Bitter, astringent, cold
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Stomach
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Purges Heat, resolves Toxicity and alleviates thirst
Inadequate eruption of measles
Dysentery, abdominal pain due to eruptive disease
Thirst due to Summerheat
Drunkenness
- Eliminates Wind-Phlegm
Headache with blurred vision
- Promotes digestion
Eating too much meat
Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-10g in decoction, but usually infused or added near the end.
Cautions: The caffeine present can enhance the effects of other nervous system stimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine and ephedrine (Ma Huang).
Polyphenols in green tea can inhibit the effects of the anti-cancer drug bortezomib, which is used for the treatment of myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Not generally an issue when taken as a drink but can be when taken as a supplement.
Notable Constituents:
- Caffeine
Xanthine alkaloid that acts as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant.
- L-Theanine
Neuroprotective agent that is being trialled for ADHD.
- Theophylline
Alkaloid derivative of xanthine that is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor used in therapy for respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
- Theobromine
The principle alkaloid in the cacao bean responsible for its bitter taste but also present in trace amounts in tea. It is a xanthine alkaloid that is used as a bronchodilator and as a vasodilator via suppression of the vagus nerve. Despite being almost identical to caffeine, it has much less effect on the central nervous system with practically no stimulant properties. It was formerly used in the treatment of angina pectoris and hypertension.
- Epigallocatechin gallate
Phenolic antioxidant catechin under study as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent. It is also marketed as a weight loss supplement.
- Epicatechin gallate gallate
Antioxidant polyphenol catechin.
- Epigallocatechin
Antioxidant polyphenol catechin.
- Epicatechin
Antioxidant polyphenol catechin.
- Quercetin
Polyphenolic flavonoid with many purported health benefits ranging from antiproliferative effects to preventing cardiovascular disease, hypercholesterolemia, rheumatic diseases, infections and cancer but has not been shown to be effective in clinical trials for any medical condition.
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, has been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
