Abstract: The present invention provides a medicated gargling cup with which it is possible to form a liquid for gargling effective for preventing cold by merely pouring water into the cup; an antiviral mask having a nonwoven fabric impregnated with a tea extract, which mask can be easily produced commercially and is capable of maintaining a high virus trapping performance, inactivating the trapped viruses and preventing them from being rescattered; an antiviral filter and an antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral filter comprising in laminations a dust collecting filter and a filter impregnated with a tea extract; an air cleaner and an air cleaner-humidifier comprising the antiviral filter.

Abstract: A tyrosinase inhibiting agent acts specifically on tyrosinase to inhibit it; the effective component of this action being an inhibitor of tyrosinase consisting of tea polyphenols.

Abstract: A composition is provided for strengthening the acid resistancy of teeth containing at least one tea polyphenol, a fluoride such as fluorosodium and an aluminum salt, such as aluminum lactate or aluminum nitrate.

Abstract: A method for preventing infection caused by an antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus, which includes applying an effective antibacterial amount of tea or a tea polyphenol to an individual.

Abstract: The effective ingredient in the inventive inhibitive agent against activity of a .alpha.-amylase is tea, e.g., black tea, or a tea polyphenol as a constituent of tea including epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin, (+)catechin and the isomer thereof, free theaflavin, theaflavin monogallates A and B and theaflavin digallate.

Abstract: An anti-dental plaque agent is composed primarily of a tea-leaf polyphenol or polyphenols selected from the group consisting of epigallocatechin gallate or its isomer, epicatechin gallate or its isomer, epigallocatechin or its isomer, epicatechin or its isomer, (+)catechin or its isomer, free type theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate A, theaflavin monogallate B and theaflavin digallate.

Abstract: The effective ingredient in the inventive medicament against infection with influenza virus is tea, e.g., black tea, or a tea polyphenol as a constituent of tea including epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin, (+)catechin and the isomer thereof, free theaflavin, theaflavin monogallates A and B and theaflavin digallate.

Abstract: A method of treating a patient suffering from tinea comprising applying to an affected part of the skin of the patient an anti-tinea effective amount of at least one tea polyphenol.

Abstract: The effective ingredient in the inventive medicament against infection with mycoplasma is tea, e.g., black tea, or a tea polyphenol as a constituent of tea including epigallocatechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin, (+) catechin and the isomer thereof, free theaflavin, theaflavin monogallates A and B and theaflavin digallate.

Abstract: A glycoside of inositol which has been isolated from a hot-water extract of tea leaves. The glycoside is identified from the analytical results to be 2-O-beta-L-arabinopyranosyl-myo-inositol.

Abstract: Extract of tea leaves or (-)-epigallocatechin gallate as the principal ingredient of the extract forms a complex with active aluminum hydroxide. The animal test using rats has established that these complexes have therapeutic effect for gastric ulcers, e.g. pylorus-ligated ulcer and indomethacin-induced ulcer, when orally administered. Tests were also undertaken for the effect on the secretion of gastric juice and acute toxicity of these complexes using rats and mice as the test animals.

Abstract: A method of treating hypertension to reduce blood pressure or to maintain blood pressure at a desired level comprising administering to the patient an effective amount to maintain or lower blood pressure of tea polyphenols. The tea polyphenols include (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, free theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate A, theaflavin monogallate B and theaflavin digallate.

Abstract: A process for producing a natural antioxidant from tea leaves comprising treating said tea leaves with a solvent selected from the group consisting of hot water (preferably 80.degree. C.-100.degree. C.), a 40-75% aqueous solution of methanol, a 40-75% aqueous solution of ethanol and a 30-80% aqueous solution of acetone to obtain an extract-containing solution; washing the extract-containing solution with chloroform to obtain a washed extract; combining the washed extract with an organic solvent to transfer said washed extract into said organic solvent; removing the organic solvent; and drying the resulting extract. The invention also provides the natural antioxidant produced by the aforesaid process.