White Tea Fights Cancer

White tea extract increased a specific type of cell death in laboratory cultures of two different types of non-small cell lung cancer cells, indicating that the tea may have an anti-cancer effect, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. Although white tea comes from the same plant as green and black teas (Camellia sinensis),white tea goes through much less processing, resulting in a higher concentration of polyphenols. While this study builds on previous laboratory research suggesting that tea—in particular, green tea—may have anti-tumor effects for certain cancers, there is no evidence yet that this laboratory research can be extended to treatments in people.

Researchers from the University of New Mexico, the University of California Los Angeles, and Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla, California, treated two types of non-small cell lung cancer cells with white tea extract. This caused changes in both cell lines that led to cell death (apoptosis), and did so in a dose-dependent manner. Previous laboratory research has linked carcinogenesis (the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells) to inflammatory events involving the ways in which cells chemically communicate. This study, for the first time, showed the roles of the PPAR-gamma and 15-LOX signaling pathways in white tea-induced apoptosis. (A reduction in PPAR-gamma in a tumor is linked to poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer.) The researchers also compared green tea extract with white tea extract and found that white tea extract was significantly more effective in increasing certain RNA transcripts (e.g., PPAR-gamma) that play a critical role in cell death. However, the components in white tea extract that may be responsible for this outcome are not yet known.

The researchers suggest that further studies of white tea extract are needed to better determine if there are micronutrients or other substances in the tea that have not yet been characterized. They noted that the findings from this preliminary study provide an important basis for more investigation of the anti-cancer properties of white tea extract and whether it may help prevent the development of lung cancer.

White Tea Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nutrients that protect the body from damage by free radicals. Free radicals are nasty things that go around wreaking havoc on your body, damaging DNA and accelerating aging. Antioxidants scoop them up and neutralize them. White tea is loaded with these protective nutrients.

Cancer Prevention

White tea may have profound power against cancer-causing cells and against many different types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, inhibit the growth of cancer cells and prevent the development of new ones. In some cases, white tea has been found to work as well as prescription drugs, but without the side effects.

White Tea and Colon Cancer

Medicine Without Side Effects: A 2003 white tea and colon cancer study found that it outperforms clinical drugs and green tea.

A 2003 study conducted by Oregon State University found that white tea treats colon cancer in mice. The scientists compared white tea, green tea and sundalic in preventing colon cancer. Sundalic belongs to a family of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), of which aspirin is a member.

NSAID drugs are increasingly prescribed for treating cancer and heart disease. They are effective, but have been known to cause severe side effects such as bleeding, ulcers and even death.

In the study, mice prone to developing tumours in their intestines were given either white tea, green tea or sundalic to drink. After 12 weeks, untreated mice developed 30 tumours. Mice that drank green tea and white tea developed 17 and 13 tumours respectively.

The best result went to mice that drank both white tea and sundalic; they developed the lowest number of tumours – 6. “The use of tea in combination with NSAIDs may allow for the use of lower, less toxic doses of NSAIDs,” said Dr Gayle Orner. “Therefore, this widely consumed beverage may be useful in the prevention of intestinal cancer in genetically predisposed individuals.”

White Tea Health Benefits

White Tea Lower Blood Pressure

Studies show that white tea can thin the blood and improve artery function. It helps lower high blood pressure and maintain a healthy one. By promoting strong and healthy blood vessels, white tea guards against the ravages of stroke.

White Tea Lower Cholesterol

Catechins, another group of antioxidants, have been found to reduce cholesterol, and white tea is teeming with them. Cholesterol is a special type of fat and is necessary for health. There is good cholesterol and bad cholesterol, and white tea increases the good while decreasing the bad. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blockage of blood flow.

White Tea for Heart Protection

By thinning the blood, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol, white tea protects the heart and the entire circulatory system. Researchers have also discovered that people who drink 2 or more cups of tea a day are almost 50% less likely to die after suffering a heart attack. White tea is truly a remarkable heart tonic.

White Tea for Stronger Bones

Studies have found that people who drank tea regularly had greater bone density and strength than non-drinkers. White tea may also have beneficial effects for sufferers of arthritis and osteoporosis.

White Tea for Antibacterial & Antiviral

White tea is a natural killer of bacteria and viruses. The antioxidants so abundant in white tea tone the entire immune system, providing protection against a variety of invaders and a wide range of diseases. Its helps guard against the common cold and flu, and can ease the symptoms of HIV.

White Tea for Healthy Teeth & Gums

White tea contains small amounts of fluoride and other nutrients which keeps the teeth strong and healthy. It also kills the bacteria which causes plaque, tooth decay, and bad breath.

White Tea for Healthy Skin

Free radicals from staying out in the sun too long, stress, and a poor diet can damage the skin and cause it to prematurely age. By scavenging these free radicals, white tea protects the skin and helps to reverse some of the damage. Drinking white tea promotes healthy and radiant skin.

White tea has many other benefits to offer. It may reduce blood sugar and help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes. It reduces stress and increases energy.

White tea may or may not aid in weight-loss. Studies suggest tea may increase metabolism and encourage the body to burn more fat, but a balanced diet and regular exercise are more likely to produce results. Still, adding white tea to your weight-loss plan can’t hurt.

White Tea Preparation

Buy High-Quality Loose-Leaf White Tea
The best white teas come in loose-leaf form. They have far superior quality and flavor than bagged tea, which usually comes from dust at the bottom of the tea bin.

Brew 3-5 Minutes In Very Hot Water
Like green tea, white tea is best brewed with pure water that is very hot, but not boiling. For stronger flavor, steep for a few minutes longer. Use 2 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea per cup.

Drink 2-4 Cups Of White Tea Daily
Studies show that 2-4 cups of white tea a day yield greater health benefits than only one cup. To stretch your tea supply and your money, simply resteep the leaves once or twice to extract all the nutrients.

Dr. Orner prefers people drinking white tea than taking concentrated polyphenol supplements. Here is her advice: “If you choose to use polyphenol supplements instead, I’d recommend not exceeding the amount present in 6 to 8 cups of tea.”

When reusing tea leaves, brew for several minutes longer than the first steeping.

Create Your Own Daily Tea Ritual
Set aside a few minutes every day for your own Tea Ritual. Spend a few quiet moments just relaxing and enjoying your tea. Not only are you getting health benefits from the tea, but also from the stress relief. It’s one of the favorite parts of our day and a great way to enjoy white tea.

Try New Varieties Of White Tea
It’s good to try new things. The world of tea offers a vast range of choices. If possible, try the higher grade white teas, like the Silver Needle. Try a new tea or new variety every month, or every 2 or 3 months. Set aside a certain amount per month for “Tea Exploration”.

Good Tea is a journey for a lifetime. Explore. Experiment. Be Bold.

White Tea Varieties

There are four main varieties of white tea: Silver Needle, White Peony, Long Life Eyebrow, and Tribute Eyebrow.

• Silver Needle (Baihao Yinzhen): The finest white tea, made only of silvery white buds. Beautiful to behold and delightful to drink. It is the most famous white tea, with a delicate, light, and slightly sweet flavor.
• White Peony (Bai Mudan): Next highest in quality, White Peony consists of buds and leaves. The best White Peony has both bud and leaf covered in silvery white hair. It tends to have a stronger taste and darker color than Silver Needle.
• Long Life Eyebrow (Shou Mei): A lower rank white tea, Long Life Eyebrow is made from leaves left over after the Silver Needle and White Peony harvest.
• Tribute Eyebrow (Gong Mei): Another lesser white tea, Tribute Eyebrow is made from a special tea bush and is processed in a slightly different way than other white teas.

There are a number of other white tea varieties, some named after the region of origin, others for special ingredients added to the leaves and buds. Fruits are a popular addition and add extra sweetness to the flavor. Every variety has something to offer, experiment and find your own favorites.

Black Currant Anti-Cancer

Black currants are very rich in many phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals. Black currants contain polyphenolic compounds that can cure cancer.

Properties of Black Currant 
Black currant properties contains tannin, vitamin C, potassium salts, and essential oil, the black currant is a good diuretic, anti-sclerotic, pectoral, stomachic, anti-diaretic, anti-colitic, anti-stringent, and hypotensive(low blood pressure).

Historical Medical Usage

The list of therapeutic properties of the black currant fruits was presented in the 18th century by the abbot Bailley de Montaran, from the monastery of Dijon. He underlined their wonderful tonic qualities, considering the currant as being an elixir of youth. Black currant was used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine as a diuretic, diaphoretic (excessive sweating), and febrifuge(prevent or reduce fever), and Europe. In external use, the mixtures from black currant fruits are used for treating abcess(collection of pus), dermatosis (any skin diseases), eczemas, insect stings or hits.

Black Currant for Cancer

Black currants may also have cancer-fighting properties. “The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” featured a study on December 2004 that discussed the effects of several species of berries on breast and colon cancer cells. Black currants were included in the study, and researchers found that the vitamin C content, anthocyanins, flavanoids and other substances in the berries may be effective in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
The berries of black currant are rich in polyphenolic compounds and especially in anthocyanins, demonstrating antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activities of plant products contribute multiple health benefits.

Medical Benefits of Black Currant

Compounds in black currants may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study in the current issue of Chemistry & Industry magazine. Compounds in black currants may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study in the current issue of Chemistry & Industry magazine. The black currant diet is useful against rheumatism, arthritis and gout. The plant stimulates digestion, stimulates the functioning of the liver, pancreas, spleen and kidneys. Black currants are also useful against tiredness and overwork. The diet with these fruits is also recommended to plethoric and lymphatic people and to women who suffer from circulation disorders due to menopause. Black currant is recommended as a systemic anti-inflammatory agent with actions similar to those of natural cortisone, in cutaneous, acute and chronic allergies, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and diabetic retinopathy.

Black Currant Juice

Natural currant juice obtained from 400 fruits and 4 big leaves. It can be consumed simply or diluted in 200-500ml water, 3-4 times a day. It has beneficial effects against digestive inflammations and febrile states. Throat washes can be made with it more times a day for treating inflamed tonsils and throat aches.

Broccoli Fights Cancer

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that belongs to the cabbage family, which also includes arugula, cauliflower, collards, bok choy, kale, mustard greens, radishes, turnips, watercress, rutabaga, and brussels sprouts.

About 2 decades ago, researchers first suggested a possible link between diets high in cruciferous vegetables (a group of plants including cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts)) and a lower risk of cancer. However, it was not until the 1990s that certain chemicals found in broccoli were identified as possible cancer-preventing compounds. In 1997, a study was published that noted broccoli sprouts had higher levels of one of these compounds than mature broccoli.

Broccoli contain a class of potent anti-carcinogens (cancer-combating agents) called isothiocyanates. These compounds block many cancer-causing agents in a wide variety of cancers. They also detoxify potential carcinogens such as environmental toxins. It’s an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, beta-carotene and many other carotenoids and calcium. And each of these micronutrients supports overall health and helps counter cancer.

Broccoli is considered a good source of nutrients because it is rich in vitamin C, carotenoids (vitamin A-like substances), fiber, calcium, and folate. Broccoli is also a source of many substances called phytochemicals, or plant chemicals, that may have anticancer properties. One study showed that breast tumor development was significantly reduced in laboratory animals that ate sulforaphane. Other laboratory studies have shown that sulforaphane may help protect against prostate, colon, pancreas, and other types of cancer. Some studies have also suggested that the compound may help treat some types of cancer.

Health Benefits of Broccoli

For protection against many cancers and cancer-causing substances
Dr. Paul Talalay, a Professor of Pharmacology and Director of the Laboratory for Molecular Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, named his lab “Brassica,” which is the genus that includes cauliflower and broccoli. Talalay and his colleagues discovered broccoli’s cancer-fighting substance called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane helps activate the body’s immune cells called helper T-cells, and may help the liver in detoxifying potential carcinogens like cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, drugs and alcohol.

In addition, researchers at Tokyo’s Graduate School of Agriculture have discovered that sulforaphane can block the growth of melanoma, a form of skin cancer. This study was published in 1999 in the Nutrition and Cancer journal.

Similarly, a study of Singaporean women exposed to high pollution levels showed that eating a diet high in broccoli and other cruciferous veggies conferred a 30% decrease in the risk of getting lung cancer. Another study in the Netherlands showed a 49% decline in the risk of developing colorectal cancer in patients who ate these vegetables.

Overall, when scientists at the World Cancer Research Fund reviewed 206 human and 22 animal studies, they found scientific evidence that cruciferous vegetables lowered the risk of developing cancers of the oral cavity, throat, stomach, esophagus, lung, pancreas, and colon.

• Beneficial especially for women: Broccoli contains phytonutrients, called indole and sulforaphane, which may help prevent breast cancer. These phytonutrients help block an estrogen metabolite that promotes breast cancer growth (specifically, the estrogen-sensitive type). Moreover, its folic acid content is good for pregnant women to prevent birth defects in the fetus. The large amount of calcium in broccoli may also prevent osteoporosis.
• Antioxidants to boost the immune system: Broccoli is a unique vegetable because it contains several antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and glutathione, which all benefit the immune system. Some people take in glutathione in supplement form but some experts say that this may not be as effective as the natural form found in broccoli. Glutathione is said to work by helping the liver neutralize cancerous substances and pollutants, including mercury and lead.
• For heart and cholesterol problems: Most vegetables are rich in fiber and thus helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. Fiber also helps regulate bowel movement and is said to “cleanse” the intestines. In addition to fiber, broccoli has a high Vitamin C and potassium content, which helps in normal heart function.
• For weight loss: Considered a low calorie food, broccoli is an ideal vegetable for those on a diet. Each cup of steamed broccoli contains only 46 calories. The high fiber content of its stem (or spears) makes one feel fuller. For adults and children on a weight-loss program, steamed broccoli spears can be a healthy snack.

Aside from the health benefits mentioned, eating broccoli has been linked to the prevention and control of diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and various cancers.

Broccoli Precaution

Broccoli are generally safe to eat. Since broccoli is high in fiber, eating large amounts of it may cause gas. High-fiber foods should be reduced or avoided in people with diarrhea and some other colon problems. This can be minimized by simply adding garlic or ginger on your broccoli, thereby also getting the health benefits of both garlic and ginger.

For those individuals with low thyroid function (called hypothyroidism), you should avoid eating large amounts of cruciferous vegetables, because this can depress the function of the thyroid gland. However, those with high thyroid function (called hyperthyroidism) might benefit from eating broccoli.

Raw broccoli may be more likely to cause irritation, especially in those with certain bowel conditions. Relying on this type of diet alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for cancer may have serious health consequences.

Broccoli Preparation

Broccoli can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways. It can be purchased fresh or frozen in most grocery and organic food stores. Broccoli retains the most nutrients when eaten raw. Cooking reduces some of the benefits of broccoli because the heating process seems to destroy some anti-cancer compounds.

How to Eat Broccoli

• To get the most benefit, you need to choose the freshest broccoli. All parts of the vegetable, including the leaf, the flower (florets) and the stem are healthy, although the whitish stem does not contain vitamin C.
• Try steaming the vegetable instead of boiling it. Place the broccoli in a steamer over boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. The appearance of cooked broccoli should still be bright green in color. A pale and soggy broccoli means that it has been overcooked.
• Another technique is to roast broccoli. You may place a little oil and season with calamansi, vinegar or cheese.

Research shows that the more cooking and processing done on vegetables, the lesser will be the health benefits, in terms of amount of active phytonutrients. This is true for most foods that grow naturally. That is why it is best to cook vegetables lightly. According to the food pyramid, a healthy diet should consist of around 2 cups of assorted vegetables each day. Near the top of list should be your broccoli and cabbage, which can be eaten several times in a week.

A balanced diet that includes 5 or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables along with foods from a variety of other plant sources such as nuts, seeds, whole grain cereals, and beans is likely to be more healthful than eating large amounts of one food.