Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 Does anyone have any leads for information on the use of tea- Camellia sinensis - in any form in TCM or folk medicine east or west? Thanks. Rich Blitstein PCOM Chicago Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 You might check the following website, http://www.museums.org.za/bio/plants/theaceae/camellia_sinensis.htm There is quite a bit of information there. Maria Dias --- richblit <richblit wrote: > Does anyone have any leads for information on the > use of tea- > Camellia sinensis - in any form in TCM or folk > medicine east or west? > Thanks. > Rich Blitstein > PCOM Chicago > > SBC - Internet access at a great low price. http://promo./sbc/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 It's quite possible that Camellia sinensis has medicinal uses (acts as a " detergent " to help disperse fatty meals, relieves certain Wind-type and Qi-stagnation headaches in a pinch), but more frequently I see it as a poison, and not just because of the methylxanthine content. Most teas contain extremely high amounts of fluoride absorbed from the soil. One cup of tea may contain as much fluoride as a day's worth of fluoridating drinking water. From a TCM perspective, fluoride damages the Kidney Qi and Yin, inhibits Protective Qi - it is an immune suppressant. Also causes lowered IQ, makes people docile and lethargic. Because of the fluoride, I suspect that black tea may be worse than coffee. Both are also high in cadmium, an added bonus. Also, I've seen an increasing number of cases of methylxanthine (caffeine, theobromine, etc.) hypersensitivity - I believe that it acts like a potentiator drug to increase the toxicity of many pesticides and industrial solvents. For more info. see article I wrote on this several years ago, because so many of my clients were coming in with a lot of " scientific " information on the presumed health benefits of tea, I became weary of repeating myself: http://www.rmhiherbal.org/review/2000-4.html Health fads from hell: margarine, canola oil, soy foods, green/black tea ---Roger Wicke, PhD, TCM Clinical Herbalist contact: www.rmhiherbal.org/contact/ Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute, Hot Springs, Montana USA Clinical herbology training programs - www.rmhiherbal.org > " richblit " <richblit >Tea as a medicinal > >Does anyone have any leads for information on the use of tea- >Camellia sinensis - in any form in TCM or folk medicine east or west? >Thanks. >Rich Blitstein >PCOM Chicago ---Roger Wicke, PhD, TCM Clinical Herbalist contact: www.rmhiherbal.org/contact/ Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute, Hot Springs, Montana USA Clinical herbology training programs - www.rmhiherbal.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 , " richblit " <richblit@r...> wrote: > Does anyone have any leads for information on the use of tea- > Camellia sinensis - in any form in TCM or folk medicine east or west? > Thanks. > Rich Blitstein > PCOM Chicago Tea is generally a plant that is quite enjoyed by humanity. Like all drug plants, it has been strongly demonized by some camps and deeply revered by others. Tea is an integral aspect of Chinese culture, perhaps only rice receives equal esteem. TCM texts describe tea in the typically neutral, pragmatic tone that illustrates the TCM view that all substances are beneficial or detrimental, depending on dosage and the needs of the user. Tea is mostly known medicinally in the West for its polyphenol consituents, which are potent antioxidants; it also contains xanthine chemicals, primarily caffeine, which ranges from about 2–4% of its dry weight. In traditional theory, tea is thought to be an agent that is bitter, sweet, and cool; its channel entry is ascribed to the heart, lung, and stomach. Its primary actions are to clear the heart and eyes, eliminate vexation-thirst, transform phlegm, disperse food, disinhibit urination, and resolve toxin. It is used for headache and clouded vision, which perhaps explains the folk use of strong tea as a cure for hangover. It also treats a tendency to sleep, heart vexation and thirst, food accumulations and phlegm stagnation, malaria, and dystentery. It may be brewed and taken as a beverage of made into pills and powders; the dosage range is 3-10g. My source in Chinese goes on for many pages about combinations and techniques to treat specific diseases. It should be noted that the idea that green tea is not a potent stimulant is largely a myth. The highly degraded, coursely ground chunks filling the tea bags of the Western market likely have little xanthines remaining. However, fresh, whole green tea is a potent source of caffeine (the predominant xanthine in tea). Caffeine and flouride are both espoused by various camps as desirable or destructive substances. I know there is apparently evidence that the flouride in treated water has the wrong kind of flouride for benefiting the teeth, but I do not know which flouride form tea contains. Caffeinated substances have been illegalized in various places and times, which has predominantly been unsuccessful due to its popularity and ability to be enjoyed by virtually all sectors of society. Some people see coffee as the greatest destructive agent in America, and some see it as the most productive. Stimulant plants have been used by monks to facilitate all-night meditation since their earliest origins, and remain in popular use as cognitive enhancers throughout schools and offices to this day. The side-effects are largely dose-dependent. Absolute exclusion of caffeine sources in the diet is typically for religious reasons, extreme hypersensitivity, or popular Western fads. I find it hard to believe that there are any health dangers from moderate use of caffeine-containing plants. Most evidence indicates benefits. Even coffee, which has a much worse rap than tea in new-age culture, has been linked to a reduced risk of parkinson's in later life. Coffee and tea are now so established in wealthy white culture that they are here to stay. Stimulant plants such as khat continue to be persecuted in the US, simply because their African and Arabic users lack the rights to their indigenous medicines that white folk enjoy. Mormons seem to have their ephedrine use protected (caffeine is prohibited), but there is no chance that US descendants of South American indigenous groups will be granted the right to a coca plant to grow and chew. People have strong opinions about drug plants. The best we can do as TCM practitioners is to simply try to understand what these things do; we should recommend or discourage them based upon individual needs, not judgements based on fads and racism. All these plants have benefits and side-effects depending on how they are used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 , " smilinglotus " <smilinglotus> wrote: All these plants have benefits and side-effects depending > on how they are used. couldn't have said it better myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 On my last post, I forgot to sign my name, sorry. The source book that I used lists 47 different applications for specific diseases treated by tea in combination with other agents. There are also entries for chocolate, beer, wine, coffee, Chinese rice liquor, etc. The foreign agents have much shorter entries, not surprisingly. Eric Brand , " smilinglotus " <smilinglotus> wrote: > , " richblit " > <richblit@r...> wrote: > > Does anyone have any leads for information on the use of tea- > > Camellia sinensis - in any form in TCM or folk medicine east or > west? > > Thanks. > > Rich Blitstein > > PCOM Chicago > > Tea is generally a plant that is quite enjoyed by humanity. Like > all drug plants, it has been strongly demonized by some camps and > deeply revered by others. Tea is an integral aspect of Chinese > culture, perhaps only rice receives equal esteem. TCM texts > describe tea in the typically neutral, pragmatic tone that > illustrates the TCM view that all substances are beneficial or > detrimental, depending on dosage and the needs of the user. > > Tea is mostly known medicinally in the West for its polyphenol > consituents, which are potent antioxidants; it also contains > xanthine chemicals, primarily caffeine, which ranges from about 2– 4% > of its dry weight. > > In traditional theory, tea is thought to be an agent that is bitter, > sweet, and cool; its channel entry is ascribed to the heart, lung, > and stomach. Its primary actions are to clear the heart and eyes, > eliminate vexation-thirst, transform phlegm, disperse food, > disinhibit urination, and resolve toxin. It is used for headache > and clouded vision, which perhaps explains the folk use of strong > tea as a cure for hangover. It also treats a tendency to sleep, > heart vexation and thirst, food accumulations and phlegm stagnation, > malaria, and dystentery. It may be brewed and taken as a beverage > of made into pills and powders; the dosage range is 3-10g. My > source in Chinese goes on for many pages about combinations and > techniques to treat specific diseases. > > It should be noted that the idea that green tea is not a potent > stimulant is largely a myth. The highly degraded, coursely ground > chunks filling the tea bags of the Western market likely have little > xanthines remaining. However, fresh, whole green tea is a potent > source of caffeine (the predominant xanthine in tea). Caffeine and > flouride are both espoused by various camps as desirable or > destructive substances. I know there is apparently evidence that > the flouride in treated water has the wrong kind of flouride for > benefiting the teeth, but I do not know which flouride form tea > contains. Caffeinated substances have been illegalized in various > places and times, which has predominantly been unsuccessful due to > its popularity and ability to be enjoyed by virtually all sectors of > society. > > Some people see coffee as the greatest destructive agent in America, > and some see it as the most productive. Stimulant plants have been > used by monks to facilitate all-night meditation since their > earliest origins, and remain in popular use as cognitive enhancers > throughout schools and offices to this day. The side-effects are > largely dose-dependent. Absolute exclusion of caffeine sources in > the diet is typically for religious reasons, extreme > hypersensitivity, or popular Western fads. I find it hard to > believe that there are any health dangers from moderate use of > caffeine-containing plants. Most evidence indicates benefits. Even > coffee, which has a much worse rap than tea in new-age culture, has > been linked to a reduced risk of parkinson's in later life. > > Coffee and tea are now so established in wealthy white culture that > they are here to stay. Stimulant plants such as khat continue to be > persecuted in the US, simply because their African and Arabic users > lack the rights to their indigenous medicines that white folk > enjoy. Mormons seem to have their ephedrine use protected (caffeine > is prohibited), but there is no chance that US descendants of South > American indigenous groups will be granted the right to a coca plant > to grow and chew. People have strong opinions about drug plants. > The best we can do as TCM practitioners is to simply try to > understand what these things do; we should recommend or discourage > them based upon individual needs, not judgements based on fads and > racism. All these plants have benefits and side-effects depending > on how they are used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Hi Eric, et al., I would like to have this book. Is it available here ? Tea has always been my beverage of choice after water. Your post was quite eloquent. Thanks, marg. PCOM NY - smilinglotus Thursday, May 20, 2004 2:16 AM Re: Tea as a medicinal On my last post, I forgot to sign my name, sorry. The source book that I used lists 47 different applications for specific diseases treated by tea in combination with other agents. There are also entries for chocolate, beer, wine, coffee, Chinese rice liquor, etc. The foreign agents have much shorter entries, not surprisingly. Eric Brand , " smilinglotus " <smilinglotus> wrote: > , " richblit " > <richblit@r...> wrote: > > Does anyone have any leads for information on the use of tea- > > Camellia sinensis - in any form in TCM or folk medicine east or > west? > > Thanks. > > Rich Blitstein > > PCOM Chicago > > Tea is generally a plant that is quite enjoyed by humanity. Like > all drug plants, it has been strongly demonized by some camps and > deeply revered by others. Tea is an integral aspect of Chinese > culture, perhaps only rice receives equal esteem. TCM texts > describe tea in the typically neutral, pragmatic tone that > illustrates the TCM view that all substances are beneficial or > detrimental, depending on dosage and the needs of the user. > > Tea is mostly known medicinally in the West for its polyphenol > consituents, which are potent antioxidants; it also contains > xanthine chemicals, primarily caffeine, which ranges from about 2- 4% > of its dry weight. > > In traditional theory, tea is thought to be an agent that is bitter, > sweet, and cool; its channel entry is ascribed to the heart, lung, > and stomach. Its primary actions are to clear the heart and eyes, > eliminate vexation-thirst, transform phlegm, disperse food, > disinhibit urination, and resolve toxin. It is used for headache > and clouded vision, which perhaps explains the folk use of strong > tea as a cure for hangover. It also treats a tendency to sleep, > heart vexation and thirst, food accumulations and phlegm stagnation, > malaria, and dystentery. It may be brewed and taken as a beverage > of made into pills and powders; the dosage range is 3-10g. My > source in Chinese goes on for many pages about combinations and > techniques to treat specific diseases. > > It should be noted that the idea that green tea is not a potent > stimulant is largely a myth. The highly degraded, coursely ground > chunks filling the tea bags of the Western market likely have little > xanthines remaining. However, fresh, whole green tea is a potent > source of caffeine (the predominant xanthine in tea). Caffeine and > flouride are both espoused by various camps as desirable or > destructive substances. I know there is apparently evidence that > the flouride in treated water has the wrong kind of flouride for > benefiting the teeth, but I do not know which flouride form tea > contains. Caffeinated substances have been illegalized in various > places and times, which has predominantly been unsuccessful due to > its popularity and ability to be enjoyed by virtually all sectors of > society. > > Some people see coffee as the greatest destructive agent in America, > and some see it as the most productive. Stimulant plants have been > used by monks to facilitate all-night meditation since their > earliest origins, and remain in popular use as cognitive enhancers > throughout schools and offices to this day. The side-effects are > largely dose-dependent. Absolute exclusion of caffeine sources in > the diet is typically for religious reasons, extreme > hypersensitivity, or popular Western fads. I find it hard to > believe that there are any health dangers from moderate use of > caffeine-containing plants. Most evidence indicates benefits. Even > coffee, which has a much worse rap than tea in new-age culture, has > been linked to a reduced risk of parkinson's in later life. > > Coffee and tea are now so established in wealthy white culture that > they are here to stay. Stimulant plants such as khat continue to be > persecuted in the US, simply because their African and Arabic users > lack the rights to their indigenous medicines that white folk > enjoy. Mormons seem to have their ephedrine use protected (caffeine > is prohibited), but there is no chance that US descendants of South > American indigenous groups will be granted the right to a coca plant > to grow and chew. People have strong opinions about drug plants. > The best we can do as TCM practitioners is to simply try to > understand what these things do; we should recommend or discourage > them based upon individual needs, not judgements based on fads and > racism. All these plants have benefits and side-effects depending > on how they are used. Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services, including board approved continuing education classes, an annual conference and a free discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 , " smilinglotus " <smilinglotus> wrote: > Tea is generally a plant that is quite enjoyed by humanity. Like > all drug plants, it has been strongly demonized by some camps and > deeply revered by others. Tea is an integral aspect of Chinese > culture, perhaps only rice receives equal esteem. TCM texts > describe tea in the typically neutral, pragmatic tone that > illustrates the TCM view that all substances are beneficial or > detrimental, depending on dosage and the needs of the user. > > Tea is mostly known medicinally in the West for its polyphenol > consituents, which are potent antioxidants; it also contains > xanthine chemicals, primarily caffeine, which ranges from about 2–4% > of its dry weight. > > In traditional theory, tea is thought to be an agent that is bitter, > sweet, and cool; Thanx for the post Eric, I am currently enjoying the King's Tea Anyway, 1) for those who want to practice translating a basic tea entry, go to http://Chinese Medicine/1translationHP.htm and check out TEA LEAVES. 2)I have discussed this with Eric and others and wanted to know what people thought. Tea is said to be cooling. But the effects I personally get and many others (especially in higher doses) seem far from cooling. I.e. Sweats, Palps, insomnia, feeling of warmth, increased activity (yang) in the body, i.e. increased brain function, etc. Maybe the sweats and feeling of warmth are somehow releasing heat to make one cooler?? But a TCM picture, it would seem, would consider this presentation as heat or yang activity, no…?? Any comments? What are other's experience. - > > It should be noted that the idea that green tea is not a potent > stimulant is largely a myth. The highly degraded, coursely ground > chunks filling the tea bags of the Western market likely have little > xanthines remaining. However, fresh, whole green tea is a potent > source of caffeine (the predominant xanthine in tea). Caffeine and > flouride are both espoused by various camps as desirable or > destructive substances. I know there is apparently evidence that > the flouride in treated water has the wrong kind of flouride for > benefiting the teeth, but I do not know which flouride form tea > contains. Caffeinated substances have been illegalized in various > places and times, which has predominantly been unsuccessful due to > its popularity and ability to be enjoyed by virtually all sectors of > society. > > Some people see coffee as the greatest destructive agent in America, > and some see it as the most productive. Stimulant plants have been > used by monks to facilitate all-night meditation since their > earliest origins, and remain in popular use as cognitive enhancers > throughout schools and offices to this day. The side-effects are > largely dose-dependent. Absolute exclusion of caffeine sources in > the diet is typically for religious reasons, extreme > hypersensitivity, or popular Western fads. I find it hard to > believe that there are any health dangers from moderate use of > caffeine-containing plants. Most evidence indicates benefits. Even > coffee, which has a much worse rap than tea in new-age culture, has > been linked to a reduced risk of parkinson's in later life. > > Coffee and tea are now so established in wealthy white culture that > they are here to stay. Stimulant plants such as khat continue to be > persecuted in the US, simply because their African and Arabic users > lack the rights to their indigenous medicines that white folk > enjoy. Mormons seem to have their ephedrine use protected (caffeine > is prohibited), but there is no chance that US descendants of South > American indigenous groups will be granted the right to a coca plant > to grow and chew. People have strong opinions about drug plants. > The best we can do as TCM practitioners is to simply try to > understand what these things do; we should recommend or discourage > them based upon individual needs, not judgements based on fads and > racism. All these plants have benefits and side-effects depending > on how they are used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Even with green tea, there is a wide variety of types and processing. Every night I go to a cafe and have their (Japanese) green tea and later go to sleep. One night I made my own at home, probably a Chinese green tea, and remained wired awake for the entire night. As I understand it, black tea is simply green tea but oxidized. I can drink coffee all day but 2 sips of black tea and I immediately start to throw up. Now back to medicine..... doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 I don't know much about Japanese green tea, but I do know that it makes me less stimulated. It seems like this experience is common. What does everyone else think? Anyone know why it would be milder? I know that Japanese tea is often made by adding finely powdered leaves to water. I believe the best stuff uses powder made from just the tips of the tea leaves. Japanese tea, like Chinese tea, has many different grades and types. Perhaps taking a smaller amount of tea as a powder just provides a more moderate dose than a big pile of whole leaves. It may be due to the difference in climate and soil. Different environments and cultivation techniques would produce different quantities of the various constituents, and the natural qi absorbed would be different. I know that good Taiwanese tea is called high- mountain tea; I wonder what the elevation is at a good site in Japan? The flavor of Japanese tea is lighter, just as the effect is lighter. I wonder how much their tea cultivation techniques and processing methods affect the product? Each tea goes well with the flavor of their respective cuisines. In a similar way, coffee goes well with European desserts. The flavor of all these highly cultivated plants has certainly been directed by selective breeding. Almost all tea is propagated asexually; I believe most types fail to even produce viable seed. The Camillia sinensis plant is believed to have originated in Yunnan province in China. It now has completely distinct characteristics in many different areas. Yunnan province produces a type of tea known as pu er (or tuo cha, when it is bricked). It has a strange odor, a really red color (in the water), and is aged in compacted bricks. It is believed to be effective for digesting fatty foods, and apparently is good for high cholesterol. It is commonly consumed with Cantonese dim sum, often combined with chrysanthemum (ju hua). The difference between green tea and black (aka " red " ) tea is the degree of oxidation. Even though it is the same plant, the curing process affects the end result both in qi and chemistry. All tea can easily make you nauseous on an empty stomach. Nausea with tea on a full stomach is not good news; it's probably not just the tea. Eric , " " wrote: > Even with green tea, there is a wide variety of types and processing. Every night I go > to a cafe and have their (Japanese) green tea and later go to sleep. One night I made > my own at home, probably a Chinese green tea, and remained wired awake for the > entire night. As I understand it, black tea is simply green tea but oxidized. I can drink > coffee all day but 2 sips of black tea and I immediately start to throw up. Now back to > medicine..... > doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Perhaps this will be of use. Chinese legend has it that tea was discovered about around 2,000 B.C.E. by the Emporer of China when the leaves of a Camellia Sinensis plant accidentally fell into his cup of hot water, brewing the first cup of tea. (Archaeologists actually suggest that Tea has been used for 500,000 years.) Tea, particularl green tea, has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine for its dieuretic properties and effects on the kidneys; to treat headaches, mental stress and depression; for pain releif; as an energizer; to improve one's resistance to disease; and to prevent tooth decay (it's a natural source of flouride). It is also said that Black tea is higher in tannins and therefore less useful in herbal medicine, although both have been shown in Western clinical trails to be effective in various forms of treatment. Modern research has shown Camellia Sinensis to have anti-viral, antioxidant, analgesic, astringent, caridiotonic, and carminative properties (among others). Its used in preventative med to reduce the risk of various types of cancer, to lower cholesterol levels (and improve the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio), and to reduce blood clotting and blood pressure. These pages discuss the history and medicinal uses of Camellia Sinensis, as well as research results. They tend to lean more toward Western Tx but I hope you find them helpful. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Camellia_sinensis.html http://www.t-thyme.com/medgreentea.htm http://www.museums.org.za/bio/plants/theaceae/camellia_sinensis.htm http://www.vitaminevi.com/Herb/Green_Tea.htm And, the following is a list of PubMed abstracts concerning the efficacy of Camellia Sinensis in clinical trials. http://www.herbmed.org/viewherb.asp?varHerb_ID=177 Kindest Regards, Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Hi Margeuritte, Unfortunately, the book is hard to find even in Taiwan. It is from the PRC so it might be actually be more common in the States than it is here (esp. in NY). I don't think Chinese shows up on this forum well, so I'll use pinyin. The name is jia1 chang2 shi2 wu4 yao4 yong4 da4 quan2 -which more or less means " complete [book] of the medicinal uses of domestic foods. " Publisher is zhongguo zhongyiyao chubanshe. Unfortunately, it is still available only in Chinese. I like tea myself. Eric , " Margeuritte McGee, RN, DiHom, L.Ac. " <heilkunstler@o...> wrote: > Hi Eric, et al., > > I would like to have this book. Is it available here ? Tea has always been my beverage of choice after water. Your post was quite eloquent. > > Thanks, > marg. > > PCOM NY > - > smilinglotus > > Thursday, May 20, 2004 2:16 AM > Re: Tea as a medicinal > > > On my last post, I forgot to sign my name, sorry. > > The source book that I used lists 47 different applications for > specific diseases treated by tea in combination with other agents. > > There are also entries for chocolate, beer, wine, coffee, Chinese > rice liquor, etc. The foreign agents have much shorter entries, not > surprisingly. > > Eric Brand > > , " smilinglotus " > <smilinglotus> wrote: > > , " richblit " > > <richblit@r...> wrote: > > > Does anyone have any leads for information on the use of tea- > > > Camellia sinensis - in any form in TCM or folk medicine east or > > west? > > > Thanks. > > > Rich Blitstein > > > PCOM Chicago > > > > Tea is generally a plant that is quite enjoyed by humanity. Like > > all drug plants, it has been strongly demonized by some camps and > > deeply revered by others. Tea is an integral aspect of Chinese > > culture, perhaps only rice receives equal esteem. TCM texts > > describe tea in the typically neutral, pragmatic tone that > > illustrates the TCM view that all substances are beneficial or > > detrimental, depending on dosage and the needs of the user. > > > > Tea is mostly known medicinally in the West for its polyphenol > > consituents, which are potent antioxidants; it also contains > > xanthine chemicals, primarily caffeine, which ranges from about 2- > 4% > > of its dry weight. > > > > In traditional theory, tea is thought to be an agent that is > bitter, > > sweet, and cool; its channel entry is ascribed to the heart, lung, > > and stomach. Its primary actions are to clear the heart and eyes, > > eliminate vexation-thirst, transform phlegm, disperse food, > > disinhibit urination, and resolve toxin. It is used for headache > > and clouded vision, which perhaps explains the folk use of strong > > tea as a cure for hangover. It also treats a tendency to sleep, > > heart vexation and thirst, food accumulations and phlegm > stagnation, > > malaria, and dystentery. It may be brewed and taken as a beverage > > of made into pills and powders; the dosage range is 3-10g. My > > source in Chinese goes on for many pages about combinations and > > techniques to treat specific diseases. > > > > It should be noted that the idea that green tea is not a potent > > stimulant is largely a myth. The highly degraded, coursely ground > > chunks filling the tea bags of the Western market likely have > little > > xanthines remaining. However, fresh, whole green tea is a potent > > source of caffeine (the predominant xanthine in tea). Caffeine > and > > flouride are both espoused by various camps as desirable or > > destructive substances. I know there is apparently evidence that > > the flouride in treated water has the wrong kind of flouride for > > benefiting the teeth, but I do not know which flouride form tea > > contains. Caffeinated substances have been illegalized in various > > places and times, which has predominantly been unsuccessful due to > > its popularity and ability to be enjoyed by virtually all sectors > of > > society. > > > > Some people see coffee as the greatest destructive agent in > America, > > and some see it as the most productive. Stimulant plants have > been > > used by monks to facilitate all-night meditation since their > > earliest origins, and remain in popular use as cognitive enhancers > > throughout schools and offices to this day. The side-effects are > > largely dose-dependent. Absolute exclusion of caffeine sources in > > the diet is typically for religious reasons, extreme > > hypersensitivity, or popular Western fads. I find it hard to > > believe that there are any health dangers from moderate use of > > caffeine-containing plants. Most evidence indicates benefits. > Even > > coffee, which has a much worse rap than tea in new-age culture, > has > > been linked to a reduced risk of parkinson's in later life. > > > > Coffee and tea are now so established in wealthy white culture > that > > they are here to stay. Stimulant plants such as khat continue to > be > > persecuted in the US, simply because their African and Arabic > users > > lack the rights to their indigenous medicines that white folk > > enjoy. Mormons seem to have their ephedrine use protected > (caffeine > > is prohibited), but there is no chance that US descendants of > South > > American indigenous groups will be granted the right to a coca > plant > > to grow and chew. People have strong opinions about drug plants. > > The best we can do as TCM practitioners is to simply try to > > understand what these things do; we should recommend or discourage > > them based upon individual needs, not judgements based on fads and > > racism. All these plants have benefits and side-effects depending > > on how they are used. > > > > Chinese Herbal Medicine offers various professional services, including board approved continuing education classes, an annual conference and a free discussion forum in Chinese Herbal Medicine. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Thanks for the good info, Andrea. Eric , " Ai An Meng " <aianmeng@s...> wrote: > Perhaps this will be of use. > > Chinese legend has it that tea was discovered about around 2,000 B.C.E. by the Emporer of China when the leaves of a Camellia Sinensis plant accidentally fell into his cup of hot water, brewing the first cup of tea. (Archaeologists actually suggest that Tea has been used for 500,000 years.) Tea, particularl green tea, has been used traditionally in Chinese medicine for its dieuretic properties and effects on the kidneys; to treat headaches, mental stress and depression; for pain releif; as an energizer; to improve one's resistance to disease; and to prevent tooth decay (it's a natural source of flouride). It is also said that Black tea is higher in tannins and therefore less useful in herbal medicine, although both have been shown in Western clinical trails to be effective in various forms of treatment. > > Modern research has shown Camellia Sinensis to have anti-viral, antioxidant, analgesic, astringent, caridiotonic, and carminative properties (among others). Its used in preventative med to reduce the risk of various types of cancer, to lower cholesterol levels (and improve the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio), and to reduce blood clotting and blood pressure. > > These pages discuss the history and medicinal uses of Camellia Sinensis, as well as research results. They tend to lean more toward Western Tx but I hope you find them helpful. > > http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Camellia_sinensis.html > http://www.t-thyme.com/medgreentea.htm > http://www.museums.org.za/bio/plants/theaceae/camellia_sinensis.htm > http://www.vitaminevi.com/Herb/Green_Tea.htm > > And, the following is a list of PubMed abstracts concerning the efficacy of Camellia Sinensis in clinical trials. > > http://www.herbmed.org/viewherb.asp?varHerb_ID=177 > > Kindest Regards, > > Andrea > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 While we're on the subject, scientists in Japan have discovered that one component in green tea may prevent HIV from binding to healthy cells, and may prove useful in the fight against the disease. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3257237.stm Kindest Regards, Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Hi Eric! I'm happy to pass along useful info when I come across it. I haven't found much regarding tea in CHM Tx, but will keep my eyes open. Should I run across anything good, I'll send it along. =-) Cheers! Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Green tea is supposed to be cooling while black is supposed to be warming alon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Brenton Harvey, L.Ac., Dipl. C.H. co-owns the Chinese Tea Imports, Inc. http://www.chineseteaimports.com/ He presented a seminar at the AOM Alliance conference in Hollywood, CA in May 2004. " Green Tea in TCM. " I found the information from his seminar enlightening. He is currently writing a book on the subject of Camellia sinensis. I hope it is available soon. Sincerely, Debbie Onsager MSOM, Dip. Ac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 A previous lecturer of mine wrote a good book on the use of tea as a medicine in TCM. The book details are as below: Dang, Y. & Peng, Y. & Li, W. (1999). Chinese Functional Food. Beijing: New World Press. Attilio " Ai An Meng " <aianmeng@s...> wrote: > Hi Eric! > > I'm happy to pass along useful info when I come across it. I haven't found much regarding tea in CHM Tx, but will keep my eyes open. Should I run across anything good, I'll send it along. =-) > > Cheers! > > Andrea > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Hi Attilio, Thanks for passing this info along. Now my curiosity is piqued. I'll check into it. Cheers! Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 According to Roger Wicke, the kind of flouride in tea is extremely harmful. Levels in one cup exceed the amounts consumed in an entire day's worth of drinking water. This is a dramatic increase from the past. I suspect this increase is a largely modern phenomenon due in large part to flouridation of water and use of hydroflourocarbons and pesticides. If Roger is right, many of the benefits of tea may be exaggerated. There is epidemiological evidence that the japanese thrive on green tea. But it has been pointed out to me that the japanese drink very weak tea, steeped lightly, reusing the leaves over and over again (is this true), so their supposedly high consumption may not be that high after all. Also, perhaps the flouride content of japanese tea is not as high. Another thought that occurs to me is that this data is derived from analysis of typical low grade commercial teas. There is a wide variability in levels of various constituents in different grades and varieties of teas. I know that most commercial tea makes me feel terrible. In addition, perhaps organic cultivation would alter things as well. On May 19, 2004, at 11:04 PM, smilinglotus wrote: > I know there is apparently evidence that > the flouride in treated water has the wrong kind of flouride for > benefiting the teeth, but I do not know which flouride form tea > contains. Chinese Herbs FAX: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2004 Report Share Posted May 23, 2004 On May 23, 2004, at 10:06 AM, wrote: > According to Roger Wicke, the kind of flouride in tea is extremely > harmful. see his article on food fads at http://www.rmhiherbal.org/review/2000-4.html > Chinese Herbs FAX: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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