Defences & vitality
Green tea
Camellia sinensis
- Part used
- Young leaves
- Botanical family
- Theaceae
Unlike black tea, green tea is unfermented: the leaves are steamed fresh off the bush, preserving their catechins — especially EGCG, one of the plant world's most studied antioxidants. Moderate caffeine plus L-theanine gives it a calm, focused lift without coffee's jitters.
Traditional uses
- Gentle morning stimulant
- Weight-management support
- Antioxidant intake
Traditionally used for
fatigueweight lossantioxidantfocusmetabolism
How to prepare it
Water at 80 °C for 2–3 minutes; hotter or longer turns it bitter.
Precautions
Contains caffeine: best avoided in the evening and with iron-deficiency anaemia (it hinders iron absorption).
Other plants with similar uses
This information reflects traditional uses of plants for general guidance and does not replace advice from a health professional. If you take medication, are pregnant or have a medical condition, ask before using them.