
L-Theanine - the amino acid from the tea leaf
- L-theanine (γ-glutamylethylamide) is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that occurs in nature almost exclusively in the tea plant Camellia sinensis, a member of the tea family (Theaceae). It was first described in 1949 in Japanese green tea.
- In the tea leaf, L-theanine is the most abundant free amino acid and shapes the umami taste of green tea. A cup of green tea provides around 8-30 mg of L-theanine (Hidese et al., 2019) - the daily dose of 400 mg therefore corresponds arithmetically to roughly 13 to 50 cups.
- Tea has been drunk in China and Japan for centuries - today, L-theanine is one of the most thoroughly studied constituents of the tea plant: its absorption and metabolism have been examined pharmacokinetically in human studies (van der Pijl et al., 2010; Scheid et al., 2012).
Green tea extract with 60% L-theanine - natural rather than synthetic
- Green Naturals L-Theanine capsules contain L-theanine from natural green tea extract (Camellia sinensis, leaves) at 400 mg per daily dose - compared with many manufacturers that use synthetically or enzymatically produced L-theanine.
- The extract is standardised to 60% L-theanine: 666 mg of extract provide 400 mg of L-theanine - compared with many suppliers that declare green tea extracts without a defined L-theanine content.
- L-theanine from capsules and from green tea has been compared directly: in a randomised crossover study with 12 healthy participants, the kinetics of uptake and metabolism were comparable after both forms of intake (Scheid et al., 2012). In a further human study, the maximum plasma concentration was measured after around 50 minutes (van der Pijl et al., 2010).
400 mg high strength - transparent down to the EGCG content
- Green Naturals L-Theanine contains 400 mg of L-theanine per daily dose and 200 mg per capsule - compared with many products that make do with 100 to 250 mg per daily dose. In human studies, L-theanine is frequently examined at 200 mg per day (Hidese et al., 2019) - this corresponds to one capsule.
- The EGCG content is stated separately: 20 mg of epigallocatechin gallate per daily dose, far below the limit of 800 mg per day that applies to green tea extracts in the EU (Regulation (EU) 2022/2340). There are currently no authorised health claims for L-theanine according to EFSA.
- 120 vegan capsules per tub last for 60 days - a 2-month supply at 2 capsules daily, manufactured and lab-tested in Austria.
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Best time to take
Please take 2 capsules daily with sufficient liquid with a meal. Whether you take them in the morning or in the evening is up to you - the important point is not to take the capsules on an empty stomach.
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Dosage and duration of use
Daily dose: 2 capsules (= 666 mg green tea extract with 400 mg L-theanine and 20 mg EGCG). The pack of 120 capsules lasts for 60 days. For adults only; not for pregnant or breastfeeding women or for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. Do not take if you are consuming other products containing green tea on the same day. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
| Quality criterion | Green Naturals® | Other manufacturers |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material source | ✔ natural green tea extract (Camellia sinensis, leaves) rather than synthetic L-theanine | ✕ |
| Standardisation | ✔ 60% L-theanine, 666 mg extract = 400 mg L-theanine | ✕ |
| Sensible dosage | ✔ 400 mg per daily dose, 200 mg per capsule | ✕ |
| EGCG transparency | ✔ 20 mg EGCG stated, far below the EU limit of 800 mg | ✕ |
| Purity & laboratory testing | ✔ every batch lab-tested | ✕ |
| Formulation & tolerability | ✔ vegan HPMC capsule, rice flour as the only carrier | ✕ |
| Transparency & responsibility | ✔ clear notes on pregnancy, age and intake | ✕ |
| Origin & practicality | ✔ manufactured in Austria, 120 capsules = 60 days | ✕ |
Our vision at Green Label® is to create products based on purity and transparency. Our approach is to source high-quality raw materials directly from leading producers worldwide to offer a product that is uncompromisingly committed to natural ingredients. Every capsule of our products carries the promise of purity, sustainability, and maximum effectiveness:
- Premium active ingredients as pure substances, directly from leading producers.
- Production and bottling under the highest pharmaceutical standards (GMP, ISO 22000:2018, HACCP).
- Maximum avoidance of all additives; only valuable natural substances are used.
- Vegan capsule shells, 100% free of PEG and other undesirable substances.
- Packaging in environmentally friendly, non-toxic materials for optimal aroma protection.
My name is Dr. Hari Sven Krishnan, founder of Heilpflanzenwohl GmbH and chief pharmacist.
Together with an experienced team of specialists, including Stephan Walz (pharmacist), Marie Schröder (nutritional scientist), and Dr. Christiane Gras (immunologist), we developed Green Naturals.
The result of intensive research with a clear goal: to offer you natural, highly effective products. At Heilpflanzenwohl, quality and purity come first, because we are convinced: "The best medicine comes from nature – we just need to learn how to use it correctly."
| Ingredients | 2 capsules / day | *NRV % |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea extract | 666 mg | ** |
| • of which L-theanine | 400 mg | ** |
| • of which epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) | 20 mg | ** |
** no reference available
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Sources
- Scheid, L. et al. (2012). Kinetics of L-theanine uptake and metabolism in healthy participants are comparable after ingestion of L-theanine via capsules and green tea. The Journal of Nutrition, 142, 2091-2096.
- van der Pijl, P.C., Chen, L. & Mulder, T.P.J. (2010). Human disposition of L-theanine in tea or aqueous solution. Journal of Functional Foods, 2. DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2010.08.001
- Li, M.-Y. et al. (2022). L-Theanine: A Unique Functional Amino Acid in Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) With Multiple Health Benefits and Food Applications. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 853846. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.853846
- Hidese, S. et al. (2019). Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(10), 2362. DOI: 10.3390/nu11102362
Remarks
- HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a preventive system for ensuring food safety that identifies and assesses potential hazards in production and minimizes them through targeted control measures. The seal refers to the manufacturing process.
- This is how the grade is calculated: Grade calculation based on star ratings: 5.00 - 4.50 Very good, 4.49 - 3.50 Good, 3.49 - 2.50 Satisfactory, 2.49 - 1.50 Sufficient, 1.49 - 1.00 Poor. For the verification of ratings, no authenticity check of customer reviews is carried out. The ratings are combined from different sources, such as mail-order pharmacies and online marketplaces. Last updated: 19.10.26