Viruses are tiny microorganisms that “hijack” their host’s cells and are the source of the some the most dangerous and communicable diseases in the world. Viruses can not only attack humans but plants as well. Taking their cue from Japanese tobacco growers who used an extract of green tea to stop the growth of the “tobacco mosaic virus,” scientists tested EGCG and ECG against a cell culture that was given a dose of a rotavirus. Both of these catechins(green tea) inhibited the viral infection of the cells.(Hatta, 1989) Since that time, tea leaves have been found to have antiviral activity against the influenza (flu) virus,(Nakayama, 1990) herpes simplex virus, vaccinia virus, Coxsackie virus B6, and polio virus 1, (John, 1979) all of which cause serious diseases in humans.
Green tea catechins inhibit the influenza virus by preventing it from attaching to cells. (Remember, the virus is most dangerous when it attaches to and “hijacks” your body’s cells.) The best effects were seen when the tea extracts were added directly to the virus.(Mukoyama, 1991) This means that gargling with green tea and keeping the tea in contact with the virus for as long as possible, is very effective in preventing the flu. (Oguni, Green Tea and Human Health)
How much green tea were these people drinking to have this virus protection? There’s a pattern in what science is telling us. You have to drink a certain amount of green tea in order for it to wield it’s virus fighting power. If you’re thinking one cup of green tea would suffice, think again. The necessary dose to fight these different viruses was 400 milligrams of EGCG. In order to obtain 400 milligrams of EGCG here in the United States, you’d have to drink over 20 cups of traditionally brewed green tea.
One of the best aspects of using EGCG from green tea is the virus protecting power and every ounce of prevention helps. Current research indicates drinking 200 milligrams of EGCG from green tea several times throughout the day increases our prevention power from this natural elixir.
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