Anti-Anxiety: A look at the L-theanine found in green tea

Green tea drinkers will often describe green tea as a calming beverage.  This is partly due to the ritual of brewing and slowly sipping any tea.  It is a relaxing process.  However, green tea (camellia sinensis) contains an amino acid called L-theanine.  L-theanine is a non protein forming amino acid which makes up the taste and sweetness of green tea. 

L-theanine a natural stress reliever.  L-theanine increases alpha wave brain activity.  Increased alpha brain activity increases relaxation without causing drowsiness.  Some benefits to increased alpha wave brain activity are thought to be increased self-healing, lack of stress, enhanced immune system, and enhanced perceptions.  L-theanine's properties make for a great stack with caffeine in reducing the jitters or crash commonly experienced with caffeine by itself.