Green Tea Extract Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Green tea extract is an herbal remedy derived from green tea leaves (Camellia sinensis). Green tea extract and its many health benefits have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Green tea was first cultivated in China and India.¹

Traditionally, green tea extract uses have included being an energy booster, a diuretic, an astringent and to improve heart health.¹

Green Tea Extract Health Uses and Health Benefits

Green tea extract benefits are plenty. Of the 3 primary types of tea, green tea has the highest concentration of catechins, which are polyphenol antioxidants. Antioxidants are thought to help kill free radicals, which are compounds that cause damage to cells throughout the body.^1,2

Other green tea extract benefits include:

• Dementia prevention
• Lowering the risk of arteriosclerosis
• Alleviating pain and inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis
• Reducing inflammation caused by inflammatory bowel diseases
• Prevention of and protection against cancers
• Lowering cholesterol levels
• Control blood sugar levels
• Astringent of green tea extract for skin 
• Prevention of liver disease

Green tea extract benefits also include containing a compound called Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is thought to boost metabolism and improve fat loss. ²

Green tea extract uses in a herbal treatment capacity can help to prevent and treat a number of conditions. Here are some of the known green tea extract uses for health:

• Anal Warts - Green tea extract for skin conditions such as anal warts is a safe and effective treatment. Green tea extract can kill the warts and help to soothe inflammation and soreness.
• Baldness (Hair Loss) - Green tea extract is thought to help boost blood flow and stimulate testosterone which can promote hair growth.
• Bladder Cancer - The high concentration of antioxidants in green tea extract can help to combat cancer cell growth and prevent the risk of developing bladder cancer. 
• Brain Tumor - The antioxidant green tea extract benefits help to reduce the size of brain tumors. Green tea can also help to prevent the development of brain tumors.
• Chronic Childhood Arthritis - Green tea extract uses include being a natural anti-inflammatory. This is an effective treatment for reducing inflammation caused by chronic childhood arthritis.
• Leukemia - The EGCG compound in green tea extract has been shown to help prevent the spread of leukemia and delay the need for chemotherapy in the early stages of the disease.

Green Tea Extract Side Effects and Precautions

Green tea is an ancient herbal remedy that is typically safe to take. However, there can be serious green tea extract side effects in certain people when taking other herbs or medications. People with high blood pressure, kidney problems, stomach ulcers or anxiety should not use green tea extract as a treatment form.¹ 

Green tea extract side effects can also include adverse reactions in pregnant and breastfeeding women.¹ 

Because green tea is highly caffeinated, green tea extract side effects can also include dizziness, insomnia and heart palpitations.¹

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/green-tea 
2. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/04/29/green-tea-extract-effective.aspx