Bulk Herb Store

Herbs: Green Tea - organic

Common Name: Green tea
Latin Name: Camellia sinesis
Origin: China

• Rich in fluoride, Green Tea can reduce the risk of tooth decay.

• Damp Green Tea leaves are useful as a poultice for insect bites to reduce itching and inflammation.

• Boosts the immune system.

Related Article

The Tea of Life

by Rebekah (Pearl) Anast

May 2005

I've rediscovered Green Tea and a wealth of information about its health benefits, particulars of its preparation, and the various qualities available.

I once met a couple that cut fine opals for a living. They were old hippies who lived in a junky trailer on the edge of a national forest out in the boonies. Twice a year they flew to China to buy opals and meet with Chinese businessmen who made gem-cutting equipment for them. When I was a newly married bride, my husband took me out to their property to meet them; he had a habit of making odd acquaintances. We sat in the smoke-filled living room of their rundown trailer and listened as they told wild stories and showed us several hundred thousand dollars worth of fine opal beads that they had been working on. The wife asked me if I'd like something to drink, and I hesitated, expecting her to open the fridge and toss me a beer. From behind the Formica countertop, she lifted a beautiful china pot and proceeded to make tea. Ten minutes later, she handed me a tiny china cup with steaming-hot Jasmine Green Tea. I had never tasted anything so fine in my whole life. Four years have passed since then, and I still have not succeeded in finding tea like that.

A few months ago I began to search the internet for detox and weight-loss herbs, and rediscovered Green Tea. As I began to search, I found a wealth of information about the health benefits of Green Tea, the particulars of its preparation, and the various qualities available. The overwhelmingly dominant characteristic of Green Tea is its health benefit.

My husband and I both love Jasmine Tea (Green Tea scented with Jasmine flowers), so we ordered the cheapest Jasmine Green Tea in bulk that we could find. It was well worth drinking, but clearly not the stuff of sweet memories. I cannot tell whether there is a difference in health benefits among the various qualities of Green Teas, but I gladly pay extra for the flavor alone.

So, not only is Green Tea a drink of refinement and beauty, it is a drink of health. You can practically name just about any disease, immune system malfunction, and mystery symptom, and the answer would be (at least in part): "Drink Green Tea." There is far too much information for me to list here, so I will only tempt you with a few of the health facts that I found.

• Blood Pressure: Japanese scientists discovered that Green Tea significantly lowers blood pressure and protects against hypertension.

• Aging: Researchers believe that Green Tea may slow the effects of normal aging and its associated brain regression. According to their study, "daily intake of Green Tea catechins adds a measurable level of protection to the brain, helping shield it from irreversible damage due to cerebral ischemia and consequent neurological deficits." In other words, it will help you stay smart.

• Weight loss: Green Tea is a natural detox and will help your body flush toxins that break loose with exercise. I drink a large glass of iced Green-Jasmine Tea after my daily walk and have noticed that I do not experience muscle soreness, and my weight loss is consistent.

There are a myriad of other health benefits ascribed to Green Tea: oral health, headache cure, vision improvement, skin improvement, digestion, etc... The fact is, Green Tea will bring your body a general "good health" that may show up in many areas, as well as later on in your "retiring" years.

How do you drink it?
Any way you like. My mom brews it in a coffee pot every morning. She also brews Peppermint (separately) and Chamomile (separately) and regular Black Tea. For a morning drink, the peppermint tea can be mixed with the Green Tea for a peppy, refreshing drink. For dinnertime, you might drink hot Jasmine Green Tea with a little honey, and for a wind-down evening tea, you can add relaxing Chamomile. We drink most of ours chilled.

Many types of Green Tea come from the same plant: Camellia Sinensis. The different types of tea (e.g. Green Tea, Pouchong Tea, Oolong Tea, Black Tea) are the result of differences in the manufacturer's tea preparation process, and not due to different types of tea plants. Non-fermented and very lightly-fermented (less than 10%) tea is called Green Tea. Green Tea has a distinct flavor, but readily absorbs or takes on whatever flavor it is mixed with.

I simply fill a wire-mesh strainer with Green Tea leaves and pour hot water over them, allowing the tea to brew for 3-5 minutes before lifting out the strainer. After it cools, I put it into the fridge to chill. If you brew Green Tea too long, or too strong, it becomes bitter. Rather than becoming overzealous and turn the family against the taste of strong Green Tea, it is better to keep it light and pleasant so they will drink it all day long. I even mix it with milk for my toddler's bottle.

The mix called Rise and Shine Tea that includes Green Tea. They also sell Green Tea, Chamomile, and Peppermint separately if you would like to make your own mix. We (a family of five) drink 1-2 pounds of dried Jasmine Green Tea a month, mostly as an iced tea for dinner and afternoon.

From Our Reading and/or Experience...

• Green Tea has historically been one of the top 3 best selling herbs in the world.
• We use it often in tea combinations to improve energy levels and overall health. It mixes very well with other herbs, but many prefer it alone.
• Green Tea should not be steeped for long as it renders its properties rather quickly. It also tends to get bitter if brewed too long.
• It can be used to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing), children and animals.
• It can be used as often as you would like, and in any way you choose.
• As is the case with most herbs, Green Tea should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place.

Customer Reviews

Please, take a moment and comment on this product.

Re: fluoride in green tea?
by Bulk Herb Store on Apr 16, 2013

I have heard the "natural" fluoride in plants etc. is different from the "man-made" or synthetic fluoride and it would take very high amounts of the natural fluoride to be of any damage to our health. Personally, I wouldn't drink an over abundance of green tea, however your teeth need some fluoride and the naturally occurring fluoride would be the one I would want to use!

Re: caffine
by Bulk Herb Store on Jan 24, 2013

Green Tea is naturally caffeinated but it is quite a bit of caffeine in it. I'm not sure of any other tea that can provide you with everything green tea does but if you have access to our web page you can check out some of our non-caffeinated teas! They are quite delicious!

Please, take a moment and comment on this product.