Tea Heals Skin Damaged by Radiation Cancer patients undergoing radiation treatments often end up with skin problems. But a new study suggests tea might help. Researchers from the United States and Germany report tea extracts help minimize the damage to skin following the treatments, most likely because of substances called polyphenols, which help to reduce inflammation. The researchers tested topical treatment with green tea and black tea extracts in 60 patients undergoing radiation treatments for cancers of the head and neck or pelvic region. Results showed the extracts did, indeed, help restore skin integrity. Green tea appeared to work the best for patients with pelvic cancers. The investigators also tested the extracts in a laboratory study involving cell cultures to see how they might be reducing skin damage. They found they most likely work by reducing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines -- chemical released by the body that increase inflammation. Again, green tea outperformed black tea, but both were effective in inhibiting a major inflammatory pathway. The authors write, "We conclude that tea extracts are efficient means to treat radiation-induced skin toxicity." BMC Medicine, published online Nov. 30, 2006 Our Source: Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/. Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.