Main description:

The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, is of particular importance to humans, and the consumption of tea has a long history of over 2000 years. Currently, tea is one of the most popular beverages worldwide. In recent years the subject of tea has attracted a great deal of attention. As well as the use of tea in traditional medicine, modern biochemical research has shown the potential application of tea and tea products to disease prevention and therapy.
The goal of this book is to cover all relevant aspects including botanical identification, processing and major categories of tea, physiological and pharmacological effects, and experimental therapeutic effects. The therapeutic applications of tea based on traditional Chinese medicine are also included. The contributors are renowned experts from botanical, agricultural, chemical, biochemical, and medical circles. Tea: Bioactivity and Therapeutic Potential will be an invaluable reference source for physicians and all professionals in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food research and development industries as well as anyone who is interested in the potential medical applications of tea.

Contents:

Tea and Health - an Overview. Botanical Classification of Tea Plants. Green Tea, Black Tea and Semi-fermented Tea. The Chemistry of Tea Non-volatiles. The Chemistry of Tea Volatiles. Biochemical and Cellular Bases for Tea Activity. Physiological Effects of Caffeine and Related Purine Alkaloids. The Effects of Tea on the Cardiovascular System. Antimicrobial Activity of Tea Products. Anticarciogenic Activity of Tea. Antitumor Activity of Tea Products. Therapeutic Uses of Tea in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Agronomy and Commercial Production of Tea