Black Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Black tea is a product made from the Camellia sinensis plant. The aged leaves and stems are used to make medicine. Green tea, which is made from fresh leaves of the same plant, has some different properties.

Black tea is used for improving mental alertness as well as learning, memory, and information processing skills. It is also used for treating headache; both low and high blood pressure; high cholesterol; preventing heart disease, including "hardening of the arteries" (atherosclerosis) and heart attack; preventing stroke; preventing Parkinson's disease; and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Black tea is also taken by mouth to prevent cancer, including stomach and intestine cancer, colon and rectal cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, mouth cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, cancer of the kidneys, cancer of the esophagus, and cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer). It is also used for type 2 diabetes, stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, and to increase urine flow. Some people use black tea for preventing tooth decay and kidney stones. Black tea is also used to decrease stress. In combination with various other products, black tea is used for weight loss.

In foods, black tea is consumed as a hot or cold beverage.

How does it work?

Black tea contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It also contains antioxidants and other substances that might help protect the heart and blood vessels.

Mental alertness.
Low blood pressure after eating (postprandial hypotension.
Heart attacks.
Brittle bones (osteoporosis).
Parkinson's disease.
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).
Heart disease.
Cavities.
High cholesterol.
High blood pressure.
Kidney stones.
Stroke.
Weight loss.
Diarrhea.
Headache.
Stomach disorders.
Vomiting.

By Mouth:

For improving mental alertness: 1-3 cups of black tea containing 30-100 mg of caffeine have been used.

For heart attacks: At least 1 cup per day has been used.

For ovarian cancer: At least 2 cups per day has been used.

For preventing Parkinson's disease: Men drinking 421-2716 mg of total caffeine (approximately 5-33 cups of black tea) daily have the lowest risk of developing Parkinson's disease, when compared to other men. However, men who drink as little as 124-208 mg of caffeine (approximately 1-3 cups of black tea) daily also have a significantly lower chance of developing Parkinson's disease. In women, moderate caffeine intake (1-4 cups of black tea) per day seems to be best.

Drinking moderate amounts of black tea is SAFE for most adults.

Drinking too much black tea, such as more than five cups per day, is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. High amounts of black tea can cause side effects due to the caffeine in black tea. These side effects can range from mild to serious and include headache, nervousness, sleep problems, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, irregular heartbeat, tremor, heartburn, dizziness, ringing in the ears, convulsions, and confusion. Also, people who drink black tea or other caffeinated beverages all the time, especially in large amounts, can develop psychological dependence.

Drinking very high amounts of black tea containing more than 10 grams of caffeine is LIKELY UNSAFE. Doses of black tea this high might cause death or other severe side effects.

Children: Black tea is SAFE when taken by mouth by children in amounts commonly found in foods.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, drinking black tea in small amounts is SAFE. Do not drink more than 2 cups a day of black tea. This amount of tea provides about 200 mg of caffeine. Consuming more than this amount during pregnancy is POSSIBLY UNSAFE and has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and other negative effects, including symptoms of caffeine withdrawal in newborns and lower birth weight.

If you are breast-feeding, drinking more than 3 cups a day of black tea is POSSIBLY UNSAFE and might cause your baby to become more irritable and have more bowel movements.

Anemia: Drinking black tea may make anemia worse in people with iron deficiency.

Anxiety disorders: The caffeine in black tea might make these conditions worse.

Bleeding disorders: There is some reason to believe that the caffeine in black tea might slow blood clotting, though this hasn't been shown in people. Use caffeine cautiously if you have a bleeding disorder.

Heart problems: Caffeine in black tea can cause irregular heartbeat in certain people. If you have a heart condition, use caffeine with caution.

Diabetes: The caffeine in black tea might affect blood sugar. Use black tea with caution if you have diabetes.

Diarrhea: Black tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in black tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea.

Seizures: Black tea contains caffeine. There is a concern that high doses of caffeine might cause seizures or decrease the effects of drugs used to prevent seizures. If you have ever had a seizure, don't use high doses of caffeine or caffeine-containing supplements such as black tea.

Glaucoma: Drinking caffeinated black tea increases the pressure inside the eye. The increase occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.

Hormone-sensitive condition such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Black tea might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use black tea.

High blood pressure: The caffeine in black tea might increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this doesn't seem to occur in people who regularly drink black tea or other caffeinated products.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Black tea contains caffeine. The caffeine in black tea, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.

Brittle bones (osteoporosis): Drinking caffeinated black tea can increase the amount of calcium that is flushed out in the urine. This might weaken bones. Don't drink more than 300 mg of caffeine per day (approximately 2-3 cups of black tea). Taking extra calcium may help to make up for calcium losses. Older women who have a genetic condition that affects the way they use vitamin D, should use caffeine with caution.

Overactive bladder: The caffeine in black tea might increase the risk of developing an overactive bladder. Also, black tea might increase symptoms in people who already have an overactive bladder. Black tea should be used with caution in these people.