N C C A M: The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

At the National Institutes of Health NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health

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Tea

All types of tea (green, black, and oolong) are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant using different methods. Green tea and green tea extracts, such as its component EGCG, have been used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, including breast, stomach, and skin cancers. Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and protecting skin from sun damage.