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Uses of Green Tea Extract

Green tea has numerous health benefits. Although most people consume green tea as a brewed beverage, green tea extracts in the form of capsules, tablets, powders or topical applications are also used for a variety of medicinal and wellness-related purposes. According to the National Institutes of Health, which analyzes and rates the health claims of many products and supplements, some benefits of green tea and green tea extract are clearly documented, while others remain inconclusive.

  1. The Human Papillomavirus

    • A topical ointment made from green tea extract, marketed in the United States as Polyphenon E, is used to treat the genital warts and other symptoms of the human papillomavirus. According to World Health Net, the extract can also be used to treat cervical dysplasia, a precancerous condition of the cervix.

    Weight Loss

    • Capsules containing green tea extract are also available as an aid for weight loss. The polyphenols in green tea appear to have some fat-burning properties, and body builders have also embraced green tea extract in capsule form as an aid in reducing fat and increasing muscle mass. The National Institutes of Health report that research in this area remains inconclusive.

    Cardiovascular Health

    • Green tea extract can have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels, artery health and heart tissue. The polyphenols found in green tea may relax blood vessel walls, improve blood flow and reduce plaque in the artery walls. For these reasons, green tea extract also appears to boost memory and cognitive functions.

    Warnings and Cautions

    • The amount of green tea extract in tablets or capsules can vary considerably---anywhere from 100 to 750 milligrams per capsule. Unless decaffeinated, green tea contains between 2% and 4% caffeine, which may be a problem for anyone with caffeine sensitivities. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not guarantee green tea extract in all its forms--tablets, capsules or powders--so purity and safety of green tea extracts cannot be guaranteed.

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