A new study appears to add to growing evidence that green tea might help protect against cancer.

U.S. researchers gave 41 volunteers with pre-malignant mouth lesions green tea extract for three months at doses of 500 milligrams per meter squared (mg/m2), 750 mg/m2 or 1,000 mg/m2. The extract was taken by mouth. Other participants took a placebo.
The study found that about 59 percent of people taking the highest dose of the green tea extract showed a clinical response, compared with 18 percent of those who took a placebo. The researchers also noted a trend toward improvement in certain biomarkers that could predict cancer development.

During the study period of about 28 months, 15 people developed oral cancer. People who took the green tea extract and those who didn't were equally likely to develop the cancer. However, people who had mild to moderate dysplasia, or abnormal cell growth, at the start of the study took longer to develop oral cancer if they took the green tea extract.

Study author Dr. Vassiliki Papadimitrakopoulo, a professor in the department of thoracic/head and neck medical oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, said the findings were encouraging but did not provide definitive proof that green tea can prevent cancer.

"This is a phase 2 study with a very limited number of patients who took what would be the equivalent of drinking eight to 10 cups of green tea every single day. We cannot with certainty claim prevention benefits from a trial of this size," Papadimitrakopoulo said in a news release from the American Association for Cancer Research.

"The goal of this kind of research is to determine whether or not these supplements have long-term prevention effects," Papadimitrakopoulo noted. "More research, including studies in which individuals at high risk are exposed to these supplements for longer time periods, is still needed to answer that sort of question."

The findings were released online in advance of publication in the November print issue of the journal Cancer Prevention Research.

More information

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has more about green tea.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCE: American Association for Cancer Research, news release, Nov. 5, 2009

Health benefits of ginseng tea include a number of curative and healing properties. The tea is derived from a perennial plant root. The major health benefits of ginseng tea are due to the naturally occurring chemicals ‘ginsenosides’ present in it. Ginseng tea has earned popularity all over the world as an herbal drink. According to American Academy of Family Physicians, ginseng tea possesses anticancer properties.

India, China, Japan and even some western countries are known to cultivate ginseng tea for its rich health benefits. In US and Canada, weather conditions favor the cultivation of ginseng, and ginseng tea is known to be exported from US to many Asian countries. American ginseng tea is rich in herbal lysimachiae, panax quinquefolium and radix glycyrrhizae. The researchers at University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada have proved that ginseng is effective in reducing diabetes.

Benefits: Ginseng tea is considered as one of the most nutritious herbal supplements available in the world. There are mainly 3 types of ginseng tea –American, Asian and Siberian Ginseng. All are beneficial for human health and vitality. Some of the curative properties of ginseng tea are as follows:

• Menstrual Problems: American Ginseng tea is well known for its cooling effect. It is recommended for young women who suffer from menstrual cramps and distress. It minimizes the stomach pain associated with menstruation.
• Low Blood Pressure: Asian ginseng tea is a strong beverage. It is very effective for people who have low blood pressure. This energetic drink keeps you on your toes all day long.
• Brain Food: Ginseng tea is an herbal drink that acts as a stimulant to the brain cells. It improves the concentration power and thinking capabilities. For improved functioning of the brain cells, ginseng tea is highly recommended for students.
• Obesity: If you want to shed those extra pounds, ginseng tea would help you in your dietary habits. This herbal tea is popular as a natural appetite suppressant. Consuming ginseng tea would also provide slimness to the body.
•  Sex Problems: Men with erectile dysfunction disorder can consume ginseng tea as it lessens the symptoms of such sex related conditions.
• Cancer: Studies indicate that people who drink ginseng tea have less risk of developing cancer. Medical experts highly promote people to drink such herbal teas to eliminate the risk of cancerous growth in the body.

More on Ginseng Tea:
Though ginseng tea is an herbal beverage, medical reports also indicate that prolonged consumption of this tea may lead to sleeplessness and heart ailments. So, it is best to consult a competent physician before you start drinking ginseng tea on a daily basis.

This article was contributed by Seema Adnani.
Source: OrganicFacts.net

I hope that you will not be fooled by the unbelievable advertising on some food packages. For example, labels on ginseng tea and gingko-fortified cereal both claim they will promote sharp thinking. There is no solid evidence that either ginseng or gingko improve thinking, but for this discussion, let’s assume they do. Ginseng is a stimulant just like an amphetamine. If you were to take too much ginseng, you would get diarrhea and a headache; a massive overdose could raise your blood pressure, cause a stroke and even death. If the correct dose of ginseng is contained in one cup of the tea, that means that you are taking a drug when you drink a cupful; two cups can give you a headache and ten cups might kill you.

It’s the dose that makes a poison. If a substance is to cause a health benefit, you have to eat an exact dose. If you take less, you don’t receive any benefit. If you take too much, you can suffer unpleasant side effects or even die. Drugs and supplements specify the dose on the bottle; if you take a whole bottle-full instead of one pill and die of an overdose, the manufacturer will not be held responsible. But nobody measures exact portions of food. What happens if you drink the ginseng tea all day to quench your thirst?

The same applies to gingko-fortified cereals. How much cereal do you have to eat to improve your mind? What happens if your child likes the flavor and eats the whole box? Foods that truly contain medicines would harm you if you ate too much. Of course the food manufacturers are not stupid, so they put in so little of the substance that it cannot possibly harm you in any amount – and therefore, of course, cannot have any benefit. This is deceptive advertising at its worst. Save your money.


Article written by Gabe Mirkin, M.D. For more details, visit http://www.DrMirkin.com
Source: ezinearticles.com

Ginseng tea has been used for centuries as a natural tonic and remedy for a variety of ailments. The ginseng plant is botanically called Panax, which means, “all heal” in Greek. In addition, just as its name depicts, this tea is highly effective at improving health. The tea comes from the fleshy root of the plant. It contains natural components called Ginsenosides, which is where the healing abilities are said to come from.

There is a variety of different types of ginseng tea, all from various forms of the plan found around the globe. In India, the tea is called Ashwagandha. Asian teas are some of the most popular forms, though there are also Brazilian, American, and Siberian forms as well. Each is slightly different and tea aficionados say they can taste the various flavor differences based on the region the plant was grown in.

Healing Benefits

However, what are the healing benefits of this form of tea? It has long been used to treat just about any type of ailment, but there are some areas that are seen as more promising. Science has yet to prove these health benefits as of yet, but Ginseng has been used for 5000 years to help cure some of these conditions.

Ginseng is seen as an ideal way to lose weight. It helps to increase metabolism in the body. It also improves digestion. It is able to restore and maintain the immune system and is said to help fight ailments such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, cancer, stomach ulcers and diarrhea. It is also able to improve blood circulation and reduce both physical and mental stress. Some even say that it is can be used as an aphrodisiac.

With all of these marvelous wonders, there is no doubt that ginseng tea has become an important tool in various herbal remedies. The good news is that it is also quite tasty and affordable to purchase. Virtually all aspects of the plant can be used to aid in improving health, though the tea seems to be more beneficial when it is made from the root of the plant.

Source: Bestorganictealeaves.net

Ginseng Tea:
Ginseng, botanical name Panax ('All Heal' in Greek) is a perennial plant with a fleshy root. You can make herbal tea from the fleshy root of the Ginseng plant. Ginseng Tea is said to have many healing and energy-giving properties. All the health benefits are brought about due to the presence of natural chemicals called 'Ginsenosides' in the Ginseng root.

Ginseng originated in Manchuria and has been in use for some 5000 years. It was called 'Ren Shen' by the Ancient Chinese. 'Ren Shen' means 'Man Root' and refers to the human-like shape of the Ginseng root. In Korea and Japan, Ginseng is called 'Ninjin'. The Chinese placed great faith in Ginseng and considered it a sort of rejuvenating, cure-all palliative for a variety of ailments. They also believed that regular drinking of Ginseng Tea would lead to a long life. Ginseng was so valuable it was bartered for silk and even prized above gold. The demand was such that the supply of Ginseng from the Chinese Mainland was not enough and the Chinese had to import it from Korea. Soon the Ginseng stock in the wild was exhausted and commercial cultivation became inevitable. However, Wild Ginseng has more medicinal value than cultivated Ginseng.

The Ginseng root is used fresh or dried for later use. You can buy it whole, sliced, in powder form, in tea bags, etc. Sometimes the Ginseng plant leaves are also used, but these are not considered as important as the root. Cultivated Ginseng can be had as Red Ginseng and White Ginseng. In both cases, the Ginseng plants are grown for about 6 years before their roots are harvested. The difference lies in the way the roots are processed for use. To make White Ginseng, the root is peeled and sun-dried. The dried root looks yellowish-white. To make Red Ginseng, the unpeeled root undergoes steaming, turns reddish-brown, and is then dried.

These days Ginseng Tea is a popular herbal drink the world over and Ginseng is grown in many places.

Health Benefits of Ginseng:
While Ginseng has been traditionally considered a 'cure all', many modern researchers question the actual efficacy of the root. The studies done on the subject have either not been extensive enough or have produced controversial results. Even so, a great many people swear by Ginseng Tea and consume it on a regular basis. According to these Ginseng supporters, it is beneficial in the following different ways -

• Ginseng helps build up an appetite.
• Ginseng helps with digestion.
• Ginseng aids respiration.
• Ginseng is rejuvenating and works against fatigue.
• Ginseng helps reduce physical and mental stress.
• Ginseng aids the immune system.
• Ginseng works as an aphrodisiac.
• Ginseng helps counter arthritis.
• Ginseng helps counter asthma.
• Ginseng helps counter diabetes.
• Ginseng reduces the risk of cancer.
• Ginseng lessens the effects of Crohn's Disease.
• Ginseng is effective against Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome.
• Ginseng helps lower (LDL) bad cholesterol levels.
• Ginseng is effective against headaches.
• Ginseng provides a cure for stomach ulcers.
• Ginseng provides a cure for diarrhea.
• Ginseng is good for blood circulation.

Article written by By Sonal Panse. To read more, click here,