White tea, witch hazel and the rose could hold part of the secret of youth, according to research by Kingston University scientists.

Declan Naughton and Tamsyn Thring joined forced with Covent Garden organic retailers Neal’s Yard to investigate the potential health benefits of a number of plant extracts.

White tea came top of the list, and may help stop the process of inflammation within the body, which can play a role in cancer, diabetes and arthritis as well as premature ageing and early death.

Professor Naughton said: “For thousands of years people used natural remedies to try - and sometimes succeed - in curing their ailments and preserving their youth.

“And now the latest research we have carried out suggests a number of naturally-occurring substances may offer the hope of new treatments to block the progression of inflammation.

“Inflammation is a secret killer - helping arrest its development, or in fact being able to stop it happening at all, would clearly be of benefit.”

Their findings, published in the Journal of Inflammation, showed drinking white tea could help reduce the risk of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and even wrinkles.