What Are the Health Benefits of Ceylon Tea?

Ceylon tea comes from Sri Lanka, a small island in the Indian Ocean named"Ceylon"by British colonists. Ceylon refers to the geographical region in which the tea plant (Camellia sinesis) is grown, not to a specific type of tea. Green and black teas are grown in Sri Lanka and may improve your health and prevent illness in the future.

Close-up of a man drinking a cup of tea. (Image: Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images)

Green Tea

Green Ceylon tea is prepared from the fresh leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant. It is effective for increasing mental alertness, according to MedlinePlus. It may also help prevent some forms of cancer, lower the risk of Parkinson's disease, lower blood pressure and high cholesterol, prevent orthostatic hypertension and reduce the abnormal cell growth patterns caused by human papilloma virus, also known as HPV.

Black Tea

Black tea is made from the aged stems and leaves of the tea plant. Like green tea, black tea helps with mental alertness and acuity. It may reduce your risk of atherosclerosis, ovarian cancer, Parkinson's disease, kidney stones and heart attacks. Black tea can also help with orthostatic hypertension or dizziness when standing up.