Black Tea Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Black tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant.This is the same plant used to make oolong, white and green teas. In the production of black tea, the leaves are turned from a natural green color to a black color through the process of oxidation. Oxidation occurs when the leaves are exposed to air that is moist and oxygen-rich. When leaves become fully oxidized, they turn into black tea leaves. ^1,2

The oxidation process used for black tea produces the most amount of caffeine as compared to other teas made from the same plant. ¹

Black Tea Health Uses and Health Benefits

Black tea is associated with a number of health benefits. This is due to its high concentration of antioxidants called polyphenols and catechins. These antioxidants help to protect against free radicals which damage cells and lead to the potential development of a number of different conditions. ^1,2

Additionally, black tea has a high concentration of caffeine and another stimulating compound called theophylline, both of which are thought to help improve mental alertness. Its natural tannin content provides other benefits such as black tea for sunburn treatment and digestive healing. ¹

Some of the top black tea benefits for health include: 

• Effective against anti-aging
• Protection against diabetes
• Prevention against cancers such as ovarian cancer
• Maintaining cardiovascular and metabolic health
• Improving mental focus and alertness
• Reducing risk of developing conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, kidney stones and atherosclerosis
• Improving digestion including diarrhea prevention

The countless black tea benefits make it an excellent natural remedy to include in a daily diet. Here are some of the top black tea uses for healing and prevention:

• Diarrhea - Black tea naturally contains tannins which help to heal intestinal conditions including diarrhea.
• Vomiting - Digestive healing is one of the top black tea benefits. Black tea can help to stop vomiting that occurs when suffering from various digestive conditions.
• Sunburn - Black tea for sunburn has shown to be effective in reducing heat and helping the skin to heal and repair.
• Excessive Sweating (Hyperhidrosis) - The natural tannin content of black tea can help to act as a natural antiperspirant to treat excessive sweating. This is particularly effective for sweaty palms and feet.
• Amoebiasis (Amebiasis) - Black tea’s natural antioxidant properties can help to fight off amebiasis which is caused by an intestinal parasitic infection.
• Burns - Black tea can help provide relief from burns on the skin. Black tea can help to relieve pain, reduce heat and help the skin to heal.

Black Tea Side Effects and Precautions

Black tea side effects are minimal as it is safe for most people to consume. However, certain black tea side effects may occur when consumed by someone with an existing condition such as anemia or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is thought that black tea can possibly exacerbate these and other conditions. ¹

References

1. http://www.livestrong.com/article/413036-is-black-tea-good-for-you/
2. http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/black-tea-uses-and-risks
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4055352/