Is Green Tea Good For Vitiligo?

The patches of discoloration on the face are unsightly, to say the least. Yet there is hardly any cure for Vitiligo. Although there are treatments for Vitiligo available, it is not possible to cure the patient completely. Either it comes back or it refuses to completely fade away. This is why people suffering from Vitiligo have been searching for alternative therapies.

Green tea is the go-to beverage when it comes to detoxifying the body and enhancing immunity. Surprisingly, it is used by Vitiligo patients too for treating their symptoms. This is based on facts and studies have confirmed that green tea is indeed beneficial for treatment of Vitiligo.

Research Findings On Effect Of Green Tea On Vitiligo:

Green tea has several constituents that are beneficial for health in some way or the other. It contains caffeine, minerals and catechins. Epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG is a catechin that has been studied for its effect on Vitiligo. EGCG is an important constituent of green tea, and it is the same element that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Green tea is found to be medically useful as it has anti-inflammatory, immune modulating and antioxidant character. However, the effect of green tea on Vitiligo was unknown.

The study has confirmed that Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can delay the onset of Vitiligo, tone down the aggression of Vitiligo, and reduce the area of loss of pigmentation. The study also suggested that the application of green tea on depigmented sites can increase the density of melanin, a prerequisite for treating Vitiligo. Overall, the study suggested that green tea may be an important weapon in the fight against Vitiligo.

However, the benefits of green tea for Vitiligo are not restricted to EGCG. Antioxidants use in bringing down the symptoms of Vitiligo has been studied. It has been found that antioxidants have the effect of abetting pigmentation which, in turn, can bring down Vitiligo. Since green tea is an excellent antioxidant, it can surely be a booster for pigmentation and melanin production, and contribute to reduction in Vitiligo symptoms.

Other Beneficial Effects of Green Tea:

Green tea can be beneficial not only for treating Vitiligo, but also for treating the discomfort of Vitiligo. People suffering from Vitiligo are averse for going outside since long exposure to sunlight can cause itching and discomfort. With about two cups of green tea on a regular basis and application of green tea on the depigmented sites, it is possible to bring down itching, irritation, and discomfort. This implies that using green tea for Vitiligo may be a good option.

Conclusion:

It is rarely possible to cure Vitiligo completely. It also appears to be very unlikely to stop recurrence of Vitiligo. However, with regular application and use of green tea one may be able to control the spread of this disease and also bring down its severity. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune modulatory functions of green tea can be a boon for Vitiligo patients as well as for overall health in general.