The effects of aqueous extracts of Gold Tip Darjeeling Tea (DT) and tannin isolated from DT on the electrophysiology, ion transport properties and shunt pathway of the canine tracheal epithelium were examined. Results were com-pared to similar experiments performed using cotton bracts extract (CBF, Acala Si-2, green) and tannin isolated from CBE. Like CBE tannin, DT and DT tannin had no effect on the shunt pathway as measured by (14)C-mannitol fluxes. In contrast to CBE and CBE tannin, DT tannin increased short-circuit current and net chloride secretion while Darjeeling tea had no effect on short-circuit current arid chloride transport. These results demonstrate that tannin from two sources has on effect on the stunt pathway. However, all tannins are not the same; DT tannin stimulates C1 secretion and thus will increase water transport in the airways while CBE tannin inhibits C1 secretion and will decrease water transport in the airways.