Scientific name
Camellia sinensis
Family
Theaceae
Origin
China
Parts Used
Drug consisting of fermented (black tea) or unfermented (green tea) leaves
Chemical constituents
- Xanthine alkaloids (caffeine or theine if you prefer, theobromine, theophylline);
- Vitamins (group B);
- Derivatives of caffeic acid;
- Essential oil;
- Catechinic tannins;
- Flavonoids;
- Polyphenols;
- Minerals;
- Saponins.
Tea in Herbalist: Properties of Tea
Green tea is known for its antioxidant, antiviral and cancer prevention properties, while black tea has interesting astringent activities and - considering the greater presence of methylxanthines - also acts as a stimulant at the CNS level (to a much lower extent than coffee: in fact, a cup of tea contains a maximum of 50 mg of caffeine and generally about a third of that contained in a cup of coffee).
