We should be thankful to the ancient Chinese for bringing to our attention the wonders that can be found in a simple but enjoyable cup of green tea.

For hundreds of years, green tea was used to relieve headaches and depression in China. The habit of drinking tea has been passed on and today it is becoming popular because of the many benefits being discovered by regularly drinking this relaxing drink.

There are three unique types of tea, although tea is available in many forms and varieties.

Whether black, green, or red, all tea originates from the leaves of a warm weather evergreen known as Camellia Sinensis and it's the processing that ultimately makes the differences in the end product.

The longer the leaves are processed, the darker the tea becomes. Thus, green tea is the kind which has undergone the least amount of processing.

Processing of green tea usually involves quickly steaming the leaves, while black and red teas are usually dried, crushed and fermented which makes them seem stronger and more potent.

Don't be deceived by this obvious attribute, because as believed by many, the closer it is to its original state, the more potent and stronger its healing properties are.

Polyphenols exist in teas and it is an antioxidant which is known to protect our bodies from free radical damage.

ORAC score is used to measure antioxidant amounts, and tea scores higher than many fruits and vegetables. Because of this, you should seriously consider including tea in your daily diet.

Aside from preventing blood clotting, studies have shown than polyphenols can decrease cholesterol levels. Consuming four to six cups a day may also reduce gastric, esophageal and skin cancers. Try searching through the internet and you will see the endless list of ailments, aches, and pains that can be relieved by simply drinking green tea.

Some of the more popular ailments that can be cured are cancer, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and impaired immune functions.

But many don't realize that the benefits of drinking green tea may also be found to aid us against digestive disorders, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's while raising metabolism and increasing fat oxidation. It's even reported to help prevent tooth decay by killing the bacteria which causes dental plaque.

Regardless of the reason you might have for drinking green tea, it's clear that everyone can derive some benefit from daily consumption.

It should be stated that many of today's more popular "herbal teas" may or may not be tea at all because these products have already been blended with herbs and spices with other plant parts included for flavoring.

These do not offer the health promoting qualities of Camellia Sinensis. You should read ingredients carefully to make certain that you are getting the product that you expect.