This review looked at 7 small studies on green tea extract (EGCG) in cancer care. The most promising finding: topical green tea worked as well as an antibiotic at reducing odor from infected wounds and improved quality of life, appetite, and social activity in cancer patients. One study also showed green tea reduced radiation-induced diarrhea, but overall, the evidence is limited and mixed—more rigorous research is needed before making strong claims.
Researchers searched five medical databases for clinical studies testing green tea extract on cancer patients. They found 7 studies total with 371 patients (mostly breast and prostate cancer), with doses ranging from 28-1600 mg and treatment periods from 7 days to 6 months.
Funding not disclosed in abstract