Exolise is an 80% ethanolic dry extract of Camellia sinensis (green tea) standardised at 25% catechins expressed as epigallocatechin gallate, containing 5–10% caffeine. It has been available in France, Belgium, Spain and the UK since 1999 as an adjuvant therapy for use in weight-loss programmes. In various studies C. sinensis has to date been considered useful for its potential hepatic protective properties. In this article French physicians report a case of fulminant hepatitis during self-medication with Exolise, requiring liver transplantation.