Green Tea Herbal Remedies for High Cholesterol

Green tea is made from the fresh young leaves of Camellia sinensis and is widely cultivated world-wide and consumed my millions, especially in Asia. It is increasingly being consumed in the west for its purported health benefits. Many new studies suggest that regular consumption of green tea may help reduce the incidence of heart disease and certain kinds of cancers. Green tea typically contains about 1/3 the amount of caffeine as coffee.

Green tea can reduce oxidation of low-density cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol), and help normalize other types of blood lipids. This may be why some studies show that people who drink green tea regularly have a lower incidence of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Green tea is also one of the most scientifically proven herbs to reduce appetite, aiding weight loss.

How to take Green Tea to Help Normalize High Cholesterol

• Fresh vs. packaged
  Green tea is typically grown in tropical areas, and not usually available as a fresh herb. Myriads of packaged teas are available everywhere, including local markets. However, the quality and freshness of bulk and packaged green tea vary tremendously. Some teas are so rare and prized they cost hundreds of dollars per ounce! Some are little more than “floor sweepings.”
  
  Japanese green tea is usually of good quality and can be found in Japanese markets. The quality of Chinese green teas vary more in quality and potency because they are much more common. Domestic brands of green tea are often found in tea bags, and these are generally not as potent or fresh as bulk green tea. Once the tea is cut and sifted to put into tea bags, breakdown of the active ingredients and flavor components can be rapid. Make sure the green tea you buy is nice and green (not brown), and has a fresh (not musty) smell.

• Typical Dosage of Green Tea for High Cholesterol
  Green tea is often consumed as a hot or cool beverage, often ready-made in bottles. These products are often fairly mild unless a potent kind is chosen and steeped in boiled water in a covered vessel for 30 to 40 minutes. Tea infusions made with one or two tea bags or ¼ to ½ tsp of loose tea steeped for 3 to 10 minutes is likely to be rather weak, although good-tasting. This is the style usually found in Japanese or Chinese restaurants.
  
  Using a teaspoon to a tablespoon of loose green tea with longer infusion (soaking) times of up to 30 to 40 minutes will result in a more therapeutic preparation because the main beneficial compounds, called polyphenols, are slowly soluble in hot water and take time to completely infuse from the herb into the tea.
  
  Green tea extracts in capsules and tablets are available in many diet products, energy products, and other dietary supplements. A typical dose of green tea standardized to 40% polyphenols is 500 mg is once or twice daily with meals. These products can contain caffeine, but are often available caffeine-free as well.

• How often to take it
  Take one capsule or tablet once or twice daily with meals.

• How much to buy at each time (weekly, monthly need)
  Buy one box of 50 tea bags, one box of loose tea (4-8 ounces), or one bottle of 60 caps (500 mg) or tablets. To insure freshness, it’s better to buy the product at least every other month if possible.

• Where to buy Green Tea leaf supplements
  Supermarkets, Asian markets, health food stores, pharmacies all carry a variety of green tea products.

• How to prepare Green Tea
  Bring 16 ounces of water to a simmer and add 1 tsp to 1 tbsp of loose green tea. Turn off the heat, cover the pot or kettle and let the tea steep for about 5 minutes (mild-tasting) up to 40 minutes (stronger in caffeine and polyphenols, the antioxidant chemicals) to make an astringent-tasting but therapeutic brew.

Things to know when taking Green Tea for High Cholesterol

• Side effects
  The safety of green tea is without question. It is consumed by millions of people on a daily basis worldwide, and has been for thousands of years. However, very concentrated green tea preparations, or green tea preparations “spiked” with caffeine (pure caffeine added) could lead to unpleasant symptoms associated with overdose effects similar to many nervous system stimulants such as dry mouth, nervousness, excitement, sleeplessness, dizziness, unclear thinking, and heart palpitations.

• Contradictions
  People with pre-existing nervous system or psychiatric disorders, or cardiovascular conditions like heart palpitations, tachycardia, heart disease or stroke should exercise caution and consult with a qualified health care practitioner before regular use. Avoid excessive green tea consumption during pregnancy.

• Potential Interactions
  Based on at least one case report (Taylor and Wilt, 1999), it is possible that green tea consumption can counteract the anticoagulant effects of warfarin or other anticoagulants. Theoretically, breakdown products of green tea catechins (tannin-like antioxidants) could influence the way the liver metabolizes certain drugs, so people on life-sparing medications should exercise caution with green tea. Occasional consumption of mild green tea is likely to be safe.

• Other warnings
  Drinking green tea, or any caffeine-containing beverages, late in the day can interfere with the deepness and refreshing qualities of sleep.

Additional Resources

• Good herbal combinations with Green Tea
  Lemon-tasting herbs go very well with green tea, including lemon balm (melissa), lemon verbena (very good-tasting), and even lemon peel or lemon grass.