Combat Allergies With These Teas
Spring has sprung, and so have the sniffles, sneezes, and sore throats. As plants begin to bloom and release pollen into the air, allergic reactions are triggered in those with seasonal allergies. While allergy medicine is available over-the-counter, sufferers still deal with uncomfortable symptoms that they just have to wait out. Luckily, tea contains certain compounds that may help alleviate allergy symptoms. In this blog, we will discuss a few ways the compounds in tea can combat allergies.
- Antioxidants
- Quercetin
- Histamine-blocking Properties
- Stress-relieving
Antioxidants
The antioxidants in tea can help alleviate inflammation, which is the body’s natural response to allergens. Specific antioxidants, such as catechins and flavonoids, can help reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals that damage cells. By attacking inflammation at the source, allergy sufferers can alleviate symptoms like runny noses, congestion, and itchy eyes.
Green teas are one of the most antioxidant-rich teas, containing high levels of both catechins and epicatechins. In fact, many people swear by green tea when they are feeling under the weather. Black teas are also a great source of antioxidants, specifically theaflavins, and thearubigins. These compounds form during the fermentation process. On the other hand, white teas are less processed than other types, allowing them to retain more of their natural antioxidants.
Try: Riverboat Queen Strawberry Green, Come On In Salted Caramel
Quercetin
Quercetin is a specific flavonoid that is found in many types of teas, including green teas, black teas, and rooibos teas. This flavonoid has both anti-inflammatory and histamine-blocking properties that can work to reduce allergy symptoms. In fact, Quercetin has been shown to inhibit the release of histamine, decrease proinflammatory cytokines, and support a balanced Th1 and Th2 immune response. Together, this combination can help reduce itchy, watery eyes and sinus congestion.
Try: Memphis Meadow Lemon Cream Rooibos, Gunpowder Mint
Histamine-blocking Properties
Histamine is a chemical that is released by your immune system in response to an allergen. In the case of seasonal allergies, this allergen is typically pollen, dust mites, or mold. Antihistamines do exactly what the name suggests, block the effects of histamine. Many teas offer histamine-blocking properties, but rooibos teas, peppermint teas, and chamomile teas have been known to be the most helpful for allergy symptoms.
Try: Raspberry Vanilla Cream Rooibos Blend, Organic Peppermint
Stress-relieving
While stress-relieving teas aren’t going to stop allergy symptoms, they can help with their severity. Stress can heighten allergy symptoms by causing the body to release additional histamine. It can also weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off allergies. Chamomile tea in particular contains compounds that can help promote relaxation, making it a great choice for people experiencing allergy symptoms.
Try: Organic Chamomile
Shop My Cup of Tea
Are allergy symptoms getting to be too much for you? Try using our delicious teas to help alleviate your symptoms! Our robust selection of green teas, black teas, and rooibos teas are perfect for enjoying when you’re suffering from congestion and a sore throat. On a special episode of She Steeps, Cheryl is joined by a guest and shows us how to make a My Cup of Tea version of the popular Starbucks Medicine Ball tea.
My Cup of Tea is a non-profit in Memphis, TN that serves as an office, packing hub, retail store, and place of refuge for the women of Orange Mound. Our mission is to provide women in our community with the tools they need to thrive. We import the highest quality tea from tea estates and gardens in the Far East where they are weighed, re-formatted, and packaged for sale by the women who work here. Your purchase of our teas or other products opens a pathway for positive change and upward mobility for the courageous women who create them. Learn more about our story here.