USP proposes label cautions for black cohosh and green tea extract

The U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) is proposing to require cautionary statements on the labels of dietary supplements that claim to contain USP-grade black cohosh (Actaea racemosa syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) or green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract. The proposed statements are:

Caution: In rare cases black cohosh has been reported to affect the liver. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.

Caution: Must take with a meal. In rare cases extracts from green tea have been reported to adversely affect the liver. Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice.

Fake Tea A Danger

Belgian customs officials intercepted a shipment of 20 000kg of fake Lipton tea from China last year. A factory in Pakistan has 20 people making at least a ton of counterfeit tea a day. The tea often contains sawdust or dyed wood chips. Colgate-Palmolive this week warned US consumers that fake Colgate toothpaste had been found that might contain a toxic chemical.

Last year EU customs officers seized 253 million fakes, up from 85 million in 2002. Seizures of toiletries rose to 1.6 million items from 112 132 items. Officers caught 1.2 million food and beverage products, up from 841 000.


The Bottom Line.....Be careful what you put in your mouth.

A Bug In My Tea

Dr. Rong Jun Zhao at New Nam Foo Ling recommends cicada tea to his patients with colds and laryngitis. The essential mixture is made this way: water is brought to a simmer or boil. Then the cicada shells are dropped in and cooked for, in some recipes, hours.

A cicada is an insect with big eyes wide apart on the head and usually transparent, well-veined wings. Many people around the world regularly complement their standard diet with cicadas: the female is prized for eating as it is meatier. Cicadas have been eaten (or are still eaten) in Ancient Greece, China, Malaysia, Burma, Australia, North and South America and the Congo. Cicadas are employed in the traditional medicines of China and Japan for hearing-related matters.

Earl Grey

The Earl Grey blend is named after the 2nd Earl Grey, British Prime Minister in the 1830s, who reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic perquisite, of tea flavoured with bergamot oil.

Green Tea Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts Taiwan menu includes such foreign flavours as green tea and honeydew melon donuts, while Mister Donut also offers green tea and flavours like strawberry and sesame. Mister Donut hopes that flavours like green tea will create a more healthy image.

Need A Cup Of Tea Fast?

Researchers have designed a kettle, which, according to them, can produce a cup of hot water in only three seconds, reports the Daily Mail. The Tefal kettle uses a new spiral heating element that almost instantly makes piping hot water. While the water the machine produces is very hot, it is not quite at boiling point. As a result, tea lovers may find it doesn’t draw as much flavour from a tea bag. However if you need your tea fix fast this may be the device that you have been looking for.

The kettle also includes a water filter, which is intended to clean up the tap water it uses, reducing chlorine.

Big Red Robe Tea

Da Hang Pao ("Big Red Robe Tea") is a legendary and much revered oolong tea which is grown in the Fujian province of China. Appreciated by sophisticated tea drinkers around the globe" this tea sells for over $300 for a half pound. What makes this tea so exceptional is the way it grows. It grows on rocks in the Wu Yi Mountains where water trickling down the crevices nourishes the tea plants throughout the year.

Antwerp Tea Houses Sell Tea With A Real Zip

An undercover journalist working a current affairs magazine programme was able to buy drugs at tea houses masquerading as social clubs for the members of Antwerp's Moroccan community.

Many people in the Moroccan community say that enough is enough and that it's time that the police and the judicial authorities got tough on tea houses that sell drugs.

World Tea Expo Opens Next Week in Atlanta

The world's largest trade show dedicated to tea and tea-related products. 300 exhibitors and 5,000+ buyers gather in Atlanta at the Georgia World Congress Center, June 9-11, for three days packed with new trends and educational workshops.

They will have a New Products Showcase, over 50 Workshops and Seminars, cooking with Tea Demonstrations and lots more.

To register visit the website, www.worldteaexpo.com.

A Brief History of Time and Tea. Part 1

They say the second emperor of China, Shen Nung, discovered tea. We do not know if this is correct but in about 350 A.D. a Chinese dictionary cites tea for the first time as Erh Ya.

Europeans first learn about tea in 1589 when a Venetian author credits the lengthy lives of Asians to their tea drinking. In about 1610 the Dutch start to bring back green tea from Japan. The Dutch East India Company market the tea as an exotic medicinal drink, but it’s so expensive only the aristocracy can afford it.

Health Canada Approves Several Health Claims for Tea

Health Canada's Natural Health Products Directorate has deemed tea to be a natural health product and has officially recognized tea for its role in maintaining good health. After a period of extensive review, the NHPD has approved three health
claims for tea. All types of tea infusions (black, green and oolong) are
recognized as a source of antioxidants for the maintenance of good health. Tea
is approved for increasing alertness. And tea is further accredited as helping
to maintain and/or support cardiovascular health.