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Nutrition and daily life

What tea is: one plant, a thousand flavours

In Azerbaijan tea is the heart of the table: the pear-shaped armudu glass, jam and conversation. But what is tea really? This section covers where tea comes from, its types, and how to drink it during treatment.

Last updated: ~1 min read
From tea bush to armudu glass
Figure 1.From tea bush to armudu glass.

01Short answer

True tea is made from the leaves of one plant, the tea bush Camellia sinensis. Black, green, white and oolong tea all come from that plant; the difference is in how the leaf is processed. Chamomile, mint and rosehip are not tea but herbal infusions. Tea can count towards your fluids, but it contains caffeine. During treatment brew tea with freshly boiled water and drink it hot; take extract capsules only with your doctor.

02Simple explanation

All true tea comes from one plant.

Colour and taste depend on processing.

Herbal infusions are not tea.

Tea contains caffeine.

03Scientific explanation

The NCI notes that tea contains polyphenols (catechins, theaflavins); lab results are interesting, but it has not been shown in people that tea prevents cancer.

Oxidation: the more the leaf oxidises in air, the darker the tea; green least, black most.

MedlinePlus: caffeine can change heart rate and sleep; up to about 400 mg a day is generally considered safe for adults.

04What happens in the body?

Types

White: least processed; green: heated without oxidation; oolong: partly oxidised; black: fully oxidised.

Four bowls of white, green, oolong and black tea leaves.
Figure 2.One plant, four types.

Herbal infusions

Chamomile, mint, rosehip and thyme do not come from the tea bush; they have their own sections.

Amber tea beside a chamomile infusion.
Figure 3.Tea and herbal infusion are different.

Fluids and tea

Tea can count towards daily fluids, but water stays the basis.

Iron

Tea straight after a meal can reduce iron absorption; leave about an hour between them.

05Tea: four steps

Sealed pack, fresh brew, boiling water, drink hot.

Sealed pack — Dry place.1Sealed packDry place.
Fresh brew — Not old cold tea.2Fresh brewNot old cold tea.
Boiling water — Freshly boiled.3Boiling waterFreshly boiled.
Drink soon — Do not keep for hours.4Drink soonDo not keep for hours.
TraditionThe table.
FluidsA warm drink.
SafetyBoiling water.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
TypesWhite: least processed; green: heated without oxidation; oolong: partly oxidised; black: fully oxidised.
Herbal infusionsChamomile, mint, rosehip and thyme do not come from the tea bush; they have their own sections.
Fluids and teaTea can count towards daily fluids, but water stays the basis.
IronTea straight after a meal can reduce iron absorption; leave about an hour between them.

07Key terms

Camellia sinensis
The tea bush.
Oxidation
Darkening of the leaf in air.
Catechins
Green tea polyphenols.
Caffeine
A stimulant.
Herbal infusion
A hot drink not made from the tea bush.

08Key points

  • True tea is one plant.
  • Types differ by processing.
  • Herbal infusions are separate.
  • Watch caffeine.
  • Brew with boiling water.

09Frequently asked questions

Does tea treat leukemia?

No. Tea is a pleasant drink, not a treatment.

How many glasses a day?

It is individual; discuss caffeine and fluid limits with your doctor.

Can I have it with jam?

Yes, from a sealed factory jar; a little if your sugar is high.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Does tea treat leukemia?

  2. How many glasses a day?

  3. Can I have it with jam?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Green Tea
  2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs. Green Tea
  3. MedlinePlus. Caffeine
  4. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients
  5. National Cancer Institute. Diet and Cancer Risk
  6. American Cancer Society. Nutrition Once Treatment Starts
  7. NHS. Understanding calories
  8. British Dietetic Association. Malnutrition: Food Fact Sheet
  9. World Health Organization (WHO). Malnutrition — fact sheet
  10. Cancer Research UK. Diet problems and cancer
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
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