Evidence supporting the use of: Pu-er tea
For the body system: Hepatic System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Pu-Er tea, a fermented tea from Yunnan, China, has a long history of traditional use, but its support for the hepatic (liver) system is increasingly backed by scientific research. Several in vitro and animal studies indicate that Pu-Er tea exhibits hepatoprotective effects, largely attributed to its polyphenol and theabrownin content. These compounds demonstrate antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce liver damage from toxins and oxidative stress. For example, studies have shown that Pu-Er tea extracts can lower liver enzymes (such as ALT and AST) in rodents subjected to chemically-induced liver injury, suggesting a protective effect.
Additionally, some animal studies report that Pu-Er tea may help prevent fat accumulation in the liver, relevant to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The mechanisms proposed include modulation of lipid metabolism, reduction in oxidative stress, and inhibition of inflammatory pathways. While these results are promising, human clinical trials are very limited and often involve small sample sizes or are of short duration. Thus, while scientific evidence exists at the preclinical level, more robust human studies are needed to firmly establish efficacy and safety.
In summary, Pu-Er tea is traditionally consumed for its health benefits, and current scientific evidence suggests potential support for liver health, primarily based on animal and laboratory studies rather than large-scale human trials.
Other ingredients that support Hepatic System
AHCCAlgae
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
animal protein
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
Arginine carglumate
artichoke
baicalein
barberry
Basidiomycota
Beef liver
berberine
berry
betanin
bile acid
bile salt
bitter principals
black garlic
black seed
Boerhavia diffusa
boldo
borotutu
bovine
bovine liver
Brassica
broccoli
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
capers
capillary artemisia
carqueja
catalpol
chanca piedra
Chinese thoroughwax
chlorogenic acid
cholic acid
Coenzyme A
corilagin
cruciferous
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cynarin
cynaropicrin
d-glucarate
dandelion
dehydrocholic acid
dihydrolipoic acid
dihydromyricetin
dithiolthiones
DL-Methionine
Eclipta
egg
emblicanin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eriocitrin
ferulic acid
flavonolignan
fringetree
fungus
gallate
gamma-glutamylcysteine
ganoderma
garlic bulb
gentian root
Gentiana manshurica
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glycochenodeoxycholic acid
Glycocholic acid
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
gooseberry
green tea
Guggulsterones
Gypenoside
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
isoliquiritigenin
isosilybin
jiaogulan
Jurubeba
kale
Kutkins
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-ornithine
lecithin
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
mangiferin
Maslinic acid
Matcha
Milk thistle
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Myricetin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Naringenin
Naringin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
olive
ornithine L-aspartic acid
ox bile
Oxymatrine
pantethine
parsley
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
Phthalides
Phyllanthus
picrorhiza kurroa
Picroside
Plukenetia volubilis
Polydatin
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
pu-er tea
Puerarin
pumpkin
punarnava
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
S-allylcysteine
Salvianolic acid
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Scoparia dulcis
Sesamin
Silybin
Silybum
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Taraxacum
Taurochenodeoxycholic acid
Taurocholic acid
Taurodeoxycholic acid
Taxifolin
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Theabrownin
Thistle
Thymoquinone
tocotrienols
trace minerals
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Triphala
Triterpenes
turmeric
vitamin B
Watercress
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthorrhizol
Yin Chen
Zinc