Useful and medicinal properties of tea bush
Evergreen shrub or small tree from the family of tea, with spaced branches, leathery, elliptical, jagged on the edge of leaves, with white fluffy flowers with a yellowish or slightly pink tinge, sitting alone or 2-4 in the axils of the leaves. Fruit is a tricuspid capsule with shiny rounded seeds, more than 1 cm in diameter. Blooms in August-November, fruits ripen in November-December.
In the CIS, tea is cultivated in Georgia, Azerbaijan and the Krasnodar Territory.
Medicinal raw materials are leaves. Leaves contain up to 35% of tannins, alkaloids: caffeine( 2-5%), theophylline, theobromine and other flavonoids;ether
oil, enzymes, vitamins C, Bj, K, P and PP.For the preparation of tea, young shoots of shoots( flyshi) are collected, on which there are not more than three young leaves. The leaves are spread on the shelves and subjected to wilting, as a result they become soft. Then the leaves are twisted and in this form the fermentation process continues, leading to significant changes in their chemical composition. During this period, tea absorbs well the odorous substances and is often subjected to aromatization. By the end of fermentation, the leaves acquire a specific tea flavor and a copper-red color. After the subsequent drying with hot air in special dryers, they turn black. In this form, tea is delivered to tea-packing factories.
Green tea is widely used in Central Asia. For its preparation, young leaves are also produced, but subjected to fermentation. Dry them immediately after collection. Green tea is less aromatic, but physiologically more active. Pressed tiles of black or green( "brick") tea are prepared from tea dropping or collected in the autumn of rough leaves.
Some of the leaves and branches of the tea bush that are cut off when caring for plants on the plantations, as well as tea dust left on the tea-packing factories, are the main source of industrial caffeine production in the country. Due to its physiological effect, this substance occupies a prominent place in the arsenal of therapeutic agents. Caffeine excites the cerebral cortex, strengthens the reflex activity, increases and deepens the breathing, strengthens the activity of the heart, increases low blood pressure, expands the vessels of the brain, heart and kidneys, increases the urination, the secretion of gastric juice.
The pharmaceutical industry produces preparations of caffeine alkaloid and its compounds with other substances - caffeine-benzoate sodium in various dosage forms. Caffeine preparations are used to stimulate mental and physical performance, poisoning,
cardiovascular insufficiency, migraine associated with vascular spasm. Caffeine is a potent stimulant, and it can not be used in cases of increased excitability, insomnia, organic diseases of the cardiovascular system, atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Hot water infusion of tea is a widely used drink. When tea is used on the human body, the whole complex of substances contained in it has an effect. However, the stimulating properties of the drink are mainly due to caffeine, which, when infused, very easily passes into solution. In the hot infusion, a significant part of other physiologically active tea substances, including vitamins, passes. The color and tart taste is infused with tannins, the fragrance is essential oils.
Different types of tea contain different amounts of caffeine, tannins, aromatic and other substances. In Indian tea, caffeine, tannin and extractives are larger than in others, so it gives a thicker infusion and more tones the body. From domestic varieties of Krasnodar is close to him.
Tea is widely used in medicine. Strong tea is recommended for first aid in case of poisoning, which causes central nervous system depression, weakening of cardiac activity and respiration. Due to the high content of tannins, tea has an astringent effect and improves digestion. It should be drunk with acute diarrhea and other disorders of the intestine or its activity.
Application of
Green tea has antimicrobial properties. In connection with this, a decoction of green tea( o.ch.) is proposed for the treatment of dysentery. For its preparation 100 g of dry green tea pour 2 liters of water, insist 20-30 minutes, then boil for an hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the broth from the fire filtered through a double layer of gauze. The rest of the tea( tea leaves) is again poured into 1 liter of water and boiled for 40 minutes, after which the broth is again filtered through
gauze. Both filtrates are mixed, bottled and sterilized, after which the finished product can be stored in the refrigerator for six months, and at normal room temperature in a dark place - 3 months. Take the drug for 1-2 tbsp.spoon 4 times a day for 20-30 minutes before meals( for children up to a year give 1-2 tsp, and over one year - 1 - 2 dessert spoons).The course of treatment of acute dysentery lasts 5-10 days, chronic - 16-20 days. In severe forms of the disease, Fr.h.h. can be taken in enemas. O. S.h is also indicated in colitis, enterocolitis and dyspepsia.
Strong tea infusion is used to protect against excessive sunburn. To do this, before going out to the sun, you should wash your face with tea and rub open parts of your body. Compresses made from strong tea relieve pain and heat with sunburn.