The benefits of tea leaves

　　During the Tang dynasty, Liu Zhenliang articulated the benefits of tea drinking as “Ten Virtues”: to dispel melancholy, to banish drowsiness, to nurture one’s vital energy, to eradicate illness, to foster propriety and benevolence, to express respect, to savor its flavor, to practice the Way, and to cultivate refined aspirations.

　　According to analysis, tea contains more than 300 chemical constituents, including proteins, fats, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, as well as tea polyphenols, theaflavins, aromatic oils, lipopolysaccharides, and many others—each an essential nutrient or medicinal substance with distinct physiological functions. Some of these components actually belong to broader categories; for example, tea polyphenols comprise over 30 individual phenolic compounds, while vitamins can be further subdivided into more than ten specific constituents, such as vitamin C and inositol. As for tea’s role in disease prevention and treatment, ancient Chinese texts abound with records, and its efficacy has been widely recognized by both domestic and international medical communities. Tea has been shown to exert varying degrees of beneficial effects in the prevention and management of dysentery, gastroenteritis, nephritis, hepatitis, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cancer, leukopenia, and radiation‑induced damage, among other conditions. In particular, research conducted in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, indicates that regions renowned for their tea production—especially green tea–producing areas—exhibit significantly lower incidence and mortality rates from cancer compared with other locales. It is now well established that the primary anti‑cancer agents in tea are catechins, which account for roughly 15% to 20% of the dry weight of green tea. Moreover, the vitamin C and vitamin E found in tea also contribute modestly to its anticancer potential. Perhaps for these reasons, tea has earned a wide array of accolades abroad, such as “safe beverage,” “health‑promoting drink,” and “beverage for health and longevity.”

　　In the book “Tea Drinking for Health and Secret Proven Remedies of Medicinal Teas,” authored by Han Bin and Han Wen, the section titled “Modern Medicine’s Understanding and Applications of Tea” lists 31 purported benefits of tea: aiding digestion; enhancing alertness and sharpening the mind; promoting longevity; lowering blood lipids and supporting weight loss; improving eyesight; promoting diuresis and reducing edema; exerting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects; combating atherosclerosis; lowering and preventing hypertension; helping to prevent and treat coronary heart disease; offering protection against radiation, such as that emitted by televisions; calming the nerves, providing sedation, and cultivating a balanced temperament; serving as a nutritional supplement; potentially treating diabetes; delivering cosmetic benefits; preventing and alleviating anemia; counteracting fatigue and relieving exhaustion; assisting in sobering up and detoxifying alcohol; quenching thirst when consumed hot; exerting anticancer and cancer‑preventive effects; tonifying qi and boosting vitality; inhibiting bacterial growth and stopping diarrhea; neutralizing toxins; enhancing the body’s adaptability; fighting tuberculosis; eliminating unpleasant odors and halitosis; increasing white blood cell counts and treating leukopenia; resisting viruses; protecting dental health; regulating the body’s acid–base balance; and being applied externally for anti‑inflammatory and antibacterial purposes.

　　Tea, as a wholesome beverage that promotes physical and mental well‑being, has very few side effects. However, modern science indicates that long‑term, excessive tea consumption can be detrimental to health. It is essential to drink tea in moderation. People with a cold stomach should avoid drinking too much tea, especially green tea, as this can exacerbate gastrointestinal discomfort; likewise, those suffering from neurasthenia or insomnia should refrain from drinking tea before bed, and certainly avoid strong brews, lest their sleeplessness worsen. In addition, tea should generally not be used as an eye wash, as it may diminish the efficacy of eye medications. Breastfeeding women should also limit their tea intake, since tea has an astringent effect on breast milk.

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