GREEN TEA: THE WONDER HERB




I am departing somewhat from my usual report on the wonders of Alaska to report on the wonders of GREEN TEA.

Mom called me yesterday to report that she had almost reached her goal weight and all she had done different was start drinking 4 cups of green tea a day. Now, I know my Mom and I suspect she had been indulging in a few more goodies-you see, she loves to cook for people and her sister has moved in. I expected she would cook for Peg and she cooks some great desserts! So, I'm thinking "hummm, there must be something to this green tea thing."

So, I started doing a little research, as I sipped my cup of green tea. In fact, green tea in full of antioxidants-something I was already aware of....and it apparently helps with weight gain by boosting the metabolism. But, here are a few other little benefits to this great herb (and I can provide the research studies to any Doubting Thomas's out there).

Green tea may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer (the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women and my worse nightmare as a provider because it is so hard to diagnose before it spreads). The more green tea the greater the reduction. Studies show women who drink two cups a day were 46% less likely to develop the disease.

Green tea appears to boost memory function (hummm, I pour myself a second cup of green tea as I read this). A Japanese study of over 1,000 Japan elders shows that as their consumption of green tea increased their risk of cognitive deterioration decreased-those who had two cups a day had a whopping 54% lower risk!

Another recent study showed that gargling with green tea might help prevent flu...in the study I looked at there was an 8 percent difference in elderly nursing home clients who gargled with green tea as opposed to those who gargled with a placebo. And these elders had all received the flu shot.

There is another study that looks at longevity. This study has followed 40,500 people for over 11 years (a very nice study number and design). Green tea had reduced death in that time period by 5% in men and 31% in women...not that death is something to be forever avoided but the real issue is that it seemed to lower risk of all forms of disease and was most effective in prevention of stroke. And in this study we are talking about 3-4 cups of green tea a day.

WOW! A powerhouse in a cup! Just remember it also packs a goodly dose of caffeine so I would avoid it after mid afternoon (I say as I pour my third cup, this has a blend of spearmint, lemon verbena and lemon grass and is the tastiest medicine I have ever taken!). I absolutely DO NOT suggest decaffeinated due to the chemical process that it goes through to remove the caffeine.

Unfortunately, the FDA has not kept up with current research where green tea is concerned. Does this surprise anyone? Green tea would not contribute to the fat pockets of their buddies, the pharmaceutical companies, and the FDA only uses the words "gold standard research" when it benefits their friends.

Anyway, I digress and it's best I don't take that turn in the road.......

Last May they rejected a petition to display the herb's health benefits on the packaging. However, I don't see that as a major problem. We are all thinking adult people ultimately responsible for our own health and it's our job to learn what is and isn't good for us....and by the way we better not depend on the FDA for that...look at the drugs they approved for market that had to be removed due to the horrible side effects and even death that resulted.

Opppps....I think I am starting to turn down that road and I have other things to do today besides educate you about the FDA.

So with that I leave you to your cuppa tea. I do have one other piece of information. I am going home to a permanent job which will allow be a day and a half to spend in my own complementary practice. Perhaps this blog will change over time from a focus on Alaska to a focus on health education in the arena of things traditional and good for us.

However, we aren't there yet and today I go off with my friend, Jane, to explore more of Alaska. Pictures forthcoming!