Camellia Sinensis "Tea" Plant

Did you know that 'tea' is the second most-consumed beverage by people daily?  

Data from the Statista Research Department shows that over 273 billion litres of tea, was consumed in 2018 and this number is predicted to increase to a staggering 297 billion litres by 2021.

Originating in China, tea’s use is steeped in folklore. According to one theory, drinking tea was discovered when leaves from a tree were blown by the wind into hot water being brewed by a Chinese emperor’s servant. The resulting fragrant beverage was enticing enough to lure the emperor for a cup. 

Types of tea:

Tea comes from the plant scientifically known as Camellia sinensis and its variants include black, white, oolong, and green. The different designations are based on the oxidation levels of the plants during processing. 

Black tea is among the most popular, especially in the Western Hemisphere. It is highly regarded for its strong aroma and dark appearance and is available in a number of varieties, each with its own distinct flavour. Some of the most sought-after black teas include Darjeeling, Assam and Earl Grey, which is flavoured with bergamot.

Green tea, on the other hand, has a history of being a vital part of the lifestyle of people in Japan and China. Green tea has a lighter flavour and colour than black tea.  Most notably, green tea possesses superior health benefits which have led to a steady rise in demand throughout the world.

But what exactly are the benefits of drinking green tea? 

1) Improved brain function

People who drink green tea regularly rave about its ability to keep them alert throughout the day. Perhaps this is because consuming green tea has been linked to improved brain function. This is due to the presence of caffeine, a stimulant, and L-theanine, an amino acid.

On its own, caffeine has been found to stimulate the brain, increasing concentration, memory, mood, and reaction time. L-theanine has been shown to produce a number of favourable effects to include increasing dopamine levels, as well as alpha brain waves. When combined, caffeine and L-theanine emit a synergistically beneficial effect on brainpower.

According to a 2008 neuropharmacological study published in The Journal of Nutrition, ingesting caffeine and L-theanine together produced positive human cognitive effects, compared to consuming them individually. Green tea’s effects on the brain have also been linked to a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

2) Cancer-fighting

Studies have suggested that green tea contains compounds effective in preventing and fighting various forms of cancer. A Japanese study by the Kyushu University found consuming green tea helped to protect the body against common cancers such as prostate, breast, and lung cancer. Their findings also showed that the growth of lung cancer cells significantly slowed after drinking two to three cups of green tea. This is due to the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the most powerful of the four antioxidants present in green tea.

3) Skincare benefits

The health benefits of green tea also extend to the largest organ of the body. People can experience positive effects on their skin from drinking and applying green tea extracts directly. Face masks made from Matcha – a concentrated form of green tea – is an excellent example. The ability of green tea to aid the skin lies, again, in the EGCG nutrient it contains.

In a 2003 study backed by the Medical College of Georgia and published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, EGCG eliminates free radicals that damage skin cells and helps rejuvenate dying cells. The high levels of green tea consumed in Japanese and Chinese cultures have also long been associated with the longevity and youthfulness of their people.

4) Helps burn fat

Green tea is useful for burning fat as well as preventing chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. Evidence of this can be found in the so-called “French Paradox,” which tried to determine why people from France had lower incidences of heart disease than Americans despite their high fat intake.

Studies have found that resveratrol, a flavonoid in red wine, which is consumed heavily by the French, was the key reason. In comparison, EGCG was found to be twice the potency of resveratrol when it comes to combat the effects of eating fatty foods. The presence of caffeine in green tea also helps promote physical performance by stimulating fat-containing tissue to make use of fatty acids as fuel for energy.

5) Helps prevent Type II Diabetes

The use of green tea in preventing type II diabetes has been documented in a growing number of studies. One study by Japanese researchers, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that there was a 42% reduction in the risk of developing the disease among those who drank green tea.Ad

In another study, researchers noted that green tea had the ability to boost insulin sensitivity while being able to reduce blood sugar levels. These are encouraging findings, considering that diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people around the world.

How to optimise the health benefits of green tea?

Steaming or brewing fresh leaves is considered one of the best ways to ensure that you maximise the health benefits of green tea.  After a lengthy process, we are pleased to advise Perth customers that we have a limited supply of the Camellia Sinensis tea plants available for purchase online for $65 while stock lasts.

Final thoughts:

Enjoy the health benefits of Camellia Sinensis by planting one of these in your garden or in a large planter.  Easy care plant/tree.

Purchase your tea plant now.