Camellia teas are made from the camellia sinensis plant that produces white, green, oolong, pu-erh, and black tea all from the same genus. The various teas made from the camellia plant have a wide range of medicinal properties and can be consumed as either a hot or cold beverage. Different teas can be created from the camellia plant by going through a slightly different harvesting process to achieve varying levels of plant oxidation, which gives the different teas slightly different chemical properties. Camellia tea is not meant to replace traditional medical treatments for a condition or disease. Consult your doctor before using camellia tea to ensure it is safe enough for you to use.
Vascular Function
Video of the Day
Green tea produced from the camellia plant can increase vascular function, according to a 2009 study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition." The researchers determined that camellia green tea can improve the efficiency of your cardiovascular system by maintaining proper health and function of your blood vessels. As a result, camellia green tea can protect against the development of cardiovascular disease.
Video of the Day
Immune System
Camellia tea contains phytochemicals which can boost your immune system through its anti-microbial properties. According to a 1995 study published in the journal, "Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy," camellia tea boosts the activity of leukocytes, or white blood cells, and exhibit antioxidant properties as well. By increasing the activity of white blood cells and acting as an antioxidant, camellia tea can protect your body against toxins and other potentially harmful agents that cause cellular damage and disease.
Anti-Cancer
Camellia tea may have anti-cancer properties, according to a 1997 study published in the "Journal of Cellular Biochemistry." Researchers discovered that green tea from the camellia plant containts polyphenolics that can inhibit the formation of tumors. The researchers studied the effects of green tea on heavy smokers and found that the tea has anti-carcinogenic properties that may reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
Other Possible Benefits
According to MedlinePlus, a website run by the National Library of Medicine, black tea from the camellia plant is effective at increasing mental alertness due to the natural caffeine inside the leaves of the plant. Black tea may also be effective for preventing dizziness in elderly individuals, reducing the risk of heart attacks, kidney stones and Parkinson's disease. More research is necessary to determine the complete benefits of camellia tea on the human body.
- "British Journal of Nutrition"; Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Catechins and Vascular Function; R.J. Moore et al.; December 2009
- "Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy"; Antimicrobial Properties of Tea; J.M.T. Hamilton-Miller; November 1995
- "Journal of Cellular Biochemistry"; Chemopreventive Effect of Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Against Cigarette Smoke-induced Mutations (SCE) in Humans; I.P. Lee et al.; 1997
- MedlinePlus: Black Tea