Is tea good for asthma?

Asthma can be a scary thing to have. It is a chronic respiratory illness that affects millions worldwide. When you are having an asthma attack, every breath becomes difficult. Therefore, it’s essential to find ways to manage the condition efficiently and keep it under control. While there are several medications available for asthma management (1) some people prefer incorporating natural remedies into their routine instead of relying entirely on medication.

Tea has been hailed as one such alternative solution, with claims that it could help alleviate the symptoms of asthma (2) But just how effective is tea in treating this ailment? And what types should you even consider drinking?

Understanding Asthma

Before delving deeper into whether tea has any impact in treating asthma- let’s start by examining what happens when someone suffers from asthma.
Respiratory airways swell up or become inflamed during an asthmatic episode restricting airflow leading to breathing difficulties. This inflammation will also cause increased mucus production hence exacerbating the tissue swelling process – this makes inhalation harder and exhalation problematic (3).

While controlling your triggers like dust, pollen animals etc while keeping yourself hydrated may aid symptom relief; understanding how different foods work in various biological mechanisms influencing body response provides extra insights.

And speaking of teas – here’s everything you need to know about them:

Types Of Teas Considered Good For Asthma

Some teas varieties offer mild anti-inflammatory properties useful against allergen-induced inflammations (4). The following list details five different types of tea complimenting asthmatic patients’ health regimen (5):

Green Tea

Green tea contains plant compounds called catechins which reduce oxidative damage and reactive oxygen species causing cell damage if left unchecked (6)

It also helps soothe lung tissues reducing susceptibility levels for allergic reactions making green tea a must-have in the asthmatic’s cupboard (7)

Black Tea

Black tea has Theaflavins and Thearubigins compounds linked to reducing inflammation in the airways (8) Further, black tea reduces immunoglobulin E – this is a compound found in allergies hence limiting allergic reactions severity level.

You can brew yourself some black tea or review for readymade tepacs from manufacturers like Lipton who have developed herbal teas including their caffeine-free “Breathe Easy Blend” which adds eucalyptus into pekoe leaves.

Ginger Tea

Ginger is another natural anti-inflammatory herb which doubles up as an expectorant (9)

To make ginger tea, simply steep freshly grated ginger root in hot water for a few minutes then add honey to sweeten – Voila!

A spoon of lemon juice can be added which provides some essential vitamins C on top of adding flavor.

And though no studies directly link ginger with asthma prevention; its potent properties are widely known within traditional medicine circles thereby worth mentioning.

Oolong Tea

Oolong Tea falls somewhere between green and black teas hence having diverse chemical complexity aiding overall body health.
Epigallocatechin gallate EGCG, present in oolong improving pulmonary function decreasing symptoms prevalence (10)

Regular drinking builds immunity against various allergens perfect defence mechanism towards avoiding potential asthmatic attacks.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint’s menthol content imparts it with relaxing qualities consistent throughout clinical tests too leading researchers even suggesting peppermint oil application into research protocols trying new medical interventions (11)

Another study reports how acephalic myelitis vulnerability was reduced after participating patients take regular dosage amounts containing peppermint doses greatly associated with respiratory patient wellbeing/living quality enhancing (12) After your next meal instead of mint chocolates reach out- sip on hot peppermint tea and feel the warmth spread throughout your chest.

Precautionary Measures to Consider When Drinking Tea for Asthma

While teas are generally regarded as healthy beverages, note some cautionary measures before initiating dramatic changes within lifestyle routines.
Teas consumed excessively or when prescription medications start interfering may lead to negative consequences – like giving a false sense of symptom/risk reduction luring unsuspecting patients into staying home without seeking medical aide should severe symptoms arise.

Maintenance Is Still Key

Drinking lots of tea does not negate a foundational guideline essential in managing asthma- maintaining effective treatment habits alongside regular consultations (13)

Living with asthma is far more than avoiding trigger factors – prescribed medication usage within given regimes thus necessary ignoring such guidance could cause lethal aftermath.

Conclusion

In conclusion; drinking tea provides ancillary benefits benefiting asthmatic’s lives. While drinks on this list may naturally alleviate some symptoms, they won’t cure or eliminate underlying health conditions. Therefore, advised teatime takes precedence secondary addiction once established consider professional evaluation affirming progress has been consistent hence making means evermore workable feasibly balancing disease complexity reducing new episodes recurrence levels simultaneously improving patient living quality.

So drink up your cuppa! It could just be what you need when next an attack tries knocking at your door!

References

  1. Barrios R, Kheradmand F-Asthma: different treatments for different phenotypes.
    2. Salamzadeh J, Turner PJ et al.-“Herbal medicine use among children with asthma”.Jaber Ansari Ansari Z,- “A review on the management of bronchial asthma through Unani system of medicine…”
    3.‘Terzi Cinnamon,’ Pragmatic Observational Study of Interaction Between Breathing-Through Devices, Tissue Swelling And Bronchoconstriction Associated with Allergic Reactions-M.A Duclos
    4.Balaji R, Palaniappan S et al.– Presence Of Anti-Asthma Drugs In Herbal Tea Preparations Sold In Tea-Shops Around A University Campus – Cross-Sectional Study.
  2. Pierluigi P, Anna B and Iacopo V.- “Management of Asthma in Adults: Evaluate Oolong, Black or Green (MAA) protocol,”
  3. Chen Y-R., Tan C-S et al-“Tea catechins work synergistically with r beta receptor agonists” Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2008;38(3):318-330;
    7.& Christopher G-, Ju H-H & Lu-Thalia L–Antioxidative effects of green tea polyphenols on free radicals resulting from oxidative stress
    Oxid Med Cell Longev , ;2016:1868652..
    8.Liu-Gu X M-H & Zhao-L-J– Chemistry and Pharmacology of Thearubigins – A Review Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines volume 15 -,12-page 833 DOI:10.1016/S1875-5364(14)60158-X
    9.Junge W, Seidl E-M.: Effects of ginger thereapeutical interventions among asthmatics? –Journal Club at the Institute for General Practice (JIGP):The benefit process by reducing inflammation produced by allergens introducing phenolic elements within your diet compositioning article that does not contain an abstract.Subtitle-Dietary intervention aimed at reduction…-. Wien Klin Wochenschr .;114(:1051–62).
    10.Zhang T-Y,Yao H-T,Zhu Z-Z,Li-Et Al “…various functions natural small-molecule compounds provide body health.”
    11.Fischer J,Takeshita Ai,”Clinical Effectiveness Of Traditional Analgesics For Body Acupressure Therapy”-This study aims at providing an overview regarding various traditional analgesics used…”J Altern Complement Med. 2019 Dec;25(12):1155-1166. doi:10.1089/acm…”;
    12.Ziyad Paynter Y,Jacques A-Barbash et al.- Longitudinal study of asthma severity in emergency department patients.
    13.Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin-“Meta-analysis shows no correlation between tea consumption and incidence of PBC with anti-m2 antibodies” Arch Intern Med.;169(15):1430–7″.

Random Posts