Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Tea The Safety Factor
A cup of tea contains about half as much caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee. Caffeine is a classically addictive drug that causes nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, and many other potentially problematic effects.
Many studies show tannins have both pro- and anti-cancer effects. Tannins’ role in human cancers, if any, remains unclear; however, population studies show unusually high rates of throat cancer among some peoples who drink large amounts of tea. On the other hand, the tea-loving British show no increased risk of throat cancer. Authorities generally agree that the British custom of adding milk to tea exerts a protective effect. The milk neutralizes the tannins. So you might want to do as the Brits do-take your tea with milk.
Other Cautions
For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults, tea is considered safe in amounts typically recommended.
Caffeine has been linked, however, to an increased risk of birth defects. Pregnant women should not consume it. Large amounts of tea may cause gastrointestinal upsets.
Tea should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If tea causes minor discomforts, such as stomach upset, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.
Always Imported
Tea is not a garden herb in North America. It is cultivated primarily in India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Tea is a small evergreen tree that grows to 30 feet in the wild. In cultivation, however, it is pruned into a bushy shrub. Its leaves are processed into both green and black (pekoe) tea. Green tea is simply the dried leaf. Black tea is dried and then fermented.