If you’re looking for natural remedies for what ails you, soothing relief may be as close as a cup of tea. Learn the right tea for these ten common health concerns and sip your way to good health.
Allergies
If you suffer from allergic rhinitis due to mold, dust or pollen, you’re not alone. Millions just like you live with the constant sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and post-nasal drip that comes with chronic hay fever. Thankfully, tea can be used as a common natural remedy for allergies.
Since those will allergies have an overactive immune system, which can lead to the chronic inflammation that causes allergic response, green tea can help. Green tea comes from the tea bush called Camellia sinensis and is considered a “true tea“. This tea is chock full of EGCg (Epigallocatechin Gallate), a powerful antioxidant that fights this inflammation and helps tame the autoimmune response.
Another great common natural remedy is stinging nettle tea. Nettle treats allergies via the homeopathic principle, meaning “like treats like”. The tea contains high amounts of leukotrienes and histamine, which helps fight your body’s tendency to overreact to allergens in the air.
African red bush tea or rooibos tea and chamomile tea have also been reported to ease allergic symptoms. Take care with chamomile, however. Those who are allergic to plants in the chrysanthemum or daisy family may have an allergic reaction to the tea.
Arthritis
Arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions can wreck havoc on more than just your joints and muscles. Missing work and time with friends and family can take an emotional toll as well. Anti-inflammatory teas are a welcome comfort.
Cinnamon and ginger teas are “hot”, creating heat in the body and digestive system, easing inflammation and providing relief naturally.
Green and white tea help regulate the immune system and also have a natural anti-inflammatory effect on swollen joints and tissues.
Cherries have been reported to ease the symptoms of gout naturally and drinking a cup of cherry tea can help with arthritis pain as well.
Heart Disease
When it comes to fighting heart disease, a strong anti-inflammatory can work wonders. That’s where both green and black tea come in. These true teas contain polyphenols that fight free radicals that can lead to hardening of the arteries. Hawthorn berry tea may also prevent heart disease by relaxing veins and arteries and improving blood circulation.
Colds and Flu
If you’re a magnet for seasonal colds and flu, there are a few common natural remedies in the form of tea you can try. Green tea is chock full of disease-fighting flavonoids called catechins, which support the immune system and help the body heal itself. Echinacea is a great herbal tea to reach for during cold and flu season. This tea stimulates immune system function by encouraging white blood cells to attack disease-causing bacteria.
For a strong boost of vitamin C, brew yourself a cup of citrus peel tea. This will not only help ease your symptoms, but can help prevent colds and flu as well!
Urinary Tract Infection
Frequent urinary tract infection sufferers may find relief using certain teas as natural remedies. Parsley tea, for example, has been used medicinally for hundreds of years to treat kidney and bladder pain as well as urinary tract infections. Corn silk tea has also been used in traditional Native American medicine as a diuretic and relaxant of the urinary tract. Cranberry tea can also be used as an effective preventative of UTI.
High Cholesterol
Which natural remedy has been reported to lower high cholesterol? You got it. Green tea! If you’ve been reading this article in order you can see that green tea has a wide variety of health benefits. Its natural anti-inflammatory properties and strong levels of antioxidants make it the go-to tea for everything from allergies to high cholesterol.
A study done on oolong tea concluded that those who drank the beverage while eating high-lipid foods doubled their cholesterol excretion as compared with those who did not drink it.
Digestive Problems
Digestive problems plague millions of Americans everyday. From heartburn to chronic diarrhea, the typical Western diet can cause serious damage to our intestines. Both mint and ginger teas are the brews to reach for when your stomach is unsettled. These two cooling, anti-inflammatory herbs relax the intestinal muscles and act as a natural digestive aid. Ginseng tea can also ease the digestive process by stimulating intestinal movements.
Insomnia
Can’t sleep? If insomnia is causing you to toss and turn your way through the night, there are two common natural remedies you can find in the form of tea. One is chamomile. Chamomile acts as a gentle sedative and can ease you into peaceful dreams. Valerian is a strong-smelling herb that has much the same effect. For those intolerant to both of these herbs, yarrow is also an effective choice. As with any sleep aid, natural or conventional, always plan to devote 8-10 hours to sleep before driving or operating heavy machinery.
Obesity
Obesity is a growing epidemic. No pun intended. With the invention of the microwave, high fructose corn syrup, fast food and processed food, Americans are seeing more and more of themselves than ever. Tea can be used as part of a successful weight-loss plan. Ginseng tea acts as a natural stimulant and oolong tea improves metabolism. According to a study published by the Journal of Metabolism and Nutriton, white tea helps reduce fat cell levels and can prevent new fat cells from forming.
Autoimmune Disease
If you’re living with an autoimmune disease such as fibromyalgia, lupus, MS or chronic fatigue syndrome, natural tea should be a part of your everyday routine. Green, white, black and oolong are all excellent choices on account of their high antioxidant content. Anti-inflammatory teas such as cinnamon and ginger may help with muscle and joint pain.
Selecting the Best Tea and Herbal Tea
Some people have the time to prepare and brew their own natural herbal teas. If you’re a student or busy professional however, you probably need your natural health remedies to be convenient and easy. Here’s a list of my four favorite brands of tea. I enjoy them because they’re all-natural, with no artificial ingredients or additives.
Good Earth Sweet and Spicy Herbal Tea
This tea is completely caffeine-free but packs a flavor wallop! Its ingredients include: Red Rooibos, chicory root, rosehips, cinnamon, lemongrass, peppermint, papaya, chamomile, panax ginseng leaves, anise seed, dandelion root, ginger root, orange oil and orange peel all wrapped up in an unbleached teabag.
I like to add a fresh cinnamon stick and local honey to mine. With such great flavor and so many natural remedies in one, it’s a tasty and healthy choice.
Stash Peppermint Tea
Stash peppermint tea is 100% natural and tastes great sweetened with just a bit of sugar and milk. It’s soothing on the stomach and makes a great after-meal beverage.
Alvita
Alvita has been my go-to tea company for years. I can’t recommend just one. Whether you’re looking for allergy relief, a digestive aid or a gentle cleanse, Alvita has just what you need. Their teas are 100% natural and eco-friendly. No staple or string; just pure, natural tea in an oxygen-bleached bag.
Bigelow Decaffeinated Green Tea
I can’t tolerate caffeine so when I want to enjoy all the health benefits of green tea without the jitteriness, I reach for this one. Unlike other commercial tea products, this tea doesn’t contain any dangerous additives such as soy lecithin.
No matter what health difficulties brought you to natural remedies, there’s a tea that can help you find relief. It’s important to remember however that natural doesn’t always mean safe. Certain herbs should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women. Some herbs may also interact negatively with prescription medications.
Because of these factors, it is very important that you use herbs and herbal tea with caution, especially if you have a serious health problem.
Drinking tea can be soothing, healing and fun. With so many different teas to choose from, don’t just take my word for it; try them for yourself!
Be the first to comment