Green Tea









Green Tea


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
Green tea has been used for centuries as a beverage as well as a natural remedy. It has strong antioxidant properties that may help decrease cholesterol and blood pressure. Green tea is used to support people undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, to support the immune system, improve circulation, and help fight different types of infections.
How does it work?
It is thought that the poly-phenol compounds within green tea have antioxidant properties. There may also be compounds that help decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol, and still others that act to prevent the growth of some types of cancer cells.
How is it best taken?
  • Taking with a caffeine-free product is recommended.
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Do not use if you have active bleeding (for example, a bleeding ulcer). Use caution in bleeding disorders/history of bleeding. Potential interaction with medications and natural products that thin the blood, such as anticoagulants (warfarin), aspirin, antiplatelet agents (ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, ginger, vitamin E, NSAIDs (ibuprofen), and others.
  • Stop using this product 14 days prior to dental or surgical procedures.
  • You may bleed easily. Be careful to avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush, electric razor.
  • Limit caffeine (teas, coffee, colas) and chocolate intake.
  • Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Do not use over-the-counter products that may affect blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs and supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Primarily if using a caffeinated product:
    • Inability to sleep.
    • Restlessness and inability to stay calm.
    • Lack of appetite or not feeling hungry.
    • Heart palpitations.
    • Changes in blood pressure.
    • Hyper-reflexes.
  • Any green tea product:
    • Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
    • Belly pain and cramps.
    • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
What should I monitor?
  • Check blood pressure regularly.
  • Check lipid (cholesterol) panel. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider on a regular basis.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Very nervous and excitable.
  • Severe headache.
  • Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased ability to walk.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Leaf
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
  • Anticoagulants, aspirin, aspirin-containing products, antiplatelet agents, NSAIDs (ibuprofen, others)
  • If caffeinated products are being used: Acetaminophen, fluoroquinolone antibiotics (CYP1A inhibitors), oral contraceptives, verapamil, quinidine, fluconazole, theophylline, central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, sympathomimetics, monamine oxidase inhibitors, adenosine, beta blockers, clozapine, benzodiazepines, proton pump inhibitors, histamine-2 antagonists, barbiturates (primarily phenobarbital), and phenytoin.
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
Brand Names: