While there is a great deal of anecdotal evidence on the benefits of drinking green tea, many persons may be discouraged by its taste. Therefore, some people prefer to take their green tea in “supplement form.” With that in mind, there are several brands of green tea extract available as tablets and tinctures.

In 2006, the FDA approved “Veregen ointment,” a topical prescription used for the treatment of genital warts caused by the HPV virus. It has been acknowledged that green tea extract is one of the chemical ingredients of the ointment. This ointment is available only by prescription. Therefore, physicians may use it as a part of an overall treatment plan for the HPV virus. A visit to the doctor is necessary, and clinical trial results have been mixed.

Before rushing out to stock up on green tea extract, a word of caution is in order. Please note that the FDA does not recognize green tea as an effective panacea for the rest of its claimed benefits and a “more is better” approach could result in toxicity. The anecdotal evidence of the benefit of green tea is based upon the consumption of it in the form of tea, meaning that it has been diluted by water. The heavy concentrations found in green tea extract are many times the potency of drinking a cup or two of green tea per day.

Just like everything else, there are no “quick fixes” or “short cuts,” to safe ingestion of green tea. If brewing tea really presents a problem, it would be wise to consult with your physician or health practitioner before beginning to use any concentrated form of green tea on a regular basis.