VARIANT NAMES: Kutu, Ming, Chuan, She, Lacha, Yacha, Chaya, Laonu, Xicha.
ORIGIN: The young leaves of Camellia sinensis [Theaceae].
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: Containing purine alkaloid (mainly caffeine), trace theobromine, theocin and xanthine, tannin essential oil (The main constituents of which in green tea are/3 and y-heptadecene-ol; those in black tea are α-and β-violet-one and its derivatives), triterprenoid saponin and aglycone, vitamin C, carotene, dihydroergosterol, quercetin, kaempferol and some esters formed from flavonol and gallic acid.
NATURE, FLAVOR AND CHANNEL TROPISM: Bitter, sweet in flavor and cool in nature, acting on the channels of the heart, lung and stomach.
EFFICIENCIES AND INDICATIONS: Refreshing oneself, relieving thirst and restlessness, resolving phlegm, promoting digestion, inducing diuresis and clearing away toxic materials. It is used to treat Headache, blurred vision, sleepiness, confusion, vexation, thirst, indigestion, stagnation of phlegm, dysentery and Prostatitis.
DIRECTIONS: To be decocted, or made into tea or used as an ingredient of a prescription. Those suffering from insomnia or gastric ulcer should avoid it.