Names:

Chinese Tea, EGCG, Japanese Tea, Tea, Tea Green. Camellia sinensis, synonyms Camellia thea, Camellia theifera, Thea sinensis, Thea bohea, Thea viridis.

Family: Theaceae.

Also Used For:

Orally, green tea is used to improve cognitive performance, and to treat stomach disorders, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches. It is also used as a diuretic and in combination products for weight loss. Green tea is also used to treat solid tumor cancers and to reduce the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and gastric cancer. It is also used to maintain remission in people with Crohn's disease, to prevent Parkinson's disease, and to protect against heart disease, dental caries, and kidney stones. Green tea is also used orally to prevent skin damage and cancer related to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g., sunburn) and other environmental causes.  

Topically, green tea bags are used as a wash to soothe sunburn, as a poultice for bags under the eyes, as a compress for headache or tired eyes, and to stop the bleeding of tooth sockets. Green tea in chewable candy is used for gingivitis. Green tea is also used topically to prevent skin damage and cancer related to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (e.g., sunburn) and other environmental causes.  

For food use, green tea is consumed as a beverage.