Have you ever noticed how a good cup of tea can really hit the spot? Whether you’re stressed, sore, or sad, a few sips can provide an impressive soothing effect.
What’s So Magical About Tea?
It’s not magic at all. Teas possess a broad array of plant nutrients with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The term “tea” technically applies to any beverage made by steeping plant leaves or flowers in water.
White tea, green tea, black tea, and oolong tea all come from the Camellia Sinensis tea bush. Herbal teas, on the other hand, are usually blends of several fruits, leaves, flowers, bark, and roots. Regardless of the type, teas have been known for their therapeutic benefits for centuries, dating back to ancient China and Egypt.
Why Are Teas Potent Antioxidants and Anti-Inflammatories?
Teas are nutrient-dense, low-calorie remedies that help prevent disease and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. They provide a concentrated dose of nature’s best defenses against toxins, free radicals, and inflammatory agents. The inflammatory process is complex, with many steps and agents involved.
The best approach to inflammation is to provide protection against as many toxins as possible and target multiple steps in the inflammatory cascade. This is where teas shine — they contain hundreds of different antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that act together for powerful protection, far beyond what any single ingredient can offer.
Top 3 Teas to Battle Chronic Pain
1. Green Tea
- Green tea is rich in polyphenols, some of nature’s most powerful antioxidants. One of the main polyphenols, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been found to have 25 to 100 times more antioxidant capacity than Vitamins C and E. That’s powerful!
2. White Tea
- White tea is a delicate tea made from the immature leaves of the Camellia Sinensis bush — the same plant as green tea. White tea generally contains less caffeine than green or black tea, making it a great option if you’re trying to reduce caffeine intake. Despite its lower caffeine content, research suggests white tea has similar levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds to green tea — a double win!
3. Ginger Tea
- Ginger, a zesty spice often used in cooking, makes an incredible tea. The compounds that give ginger its strong flavor, including zingiberene, gingerol, and shogaol, also possess potent anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies have even found that ginger can be a more effective alternative to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treating pain and swelling.
Also check out 4 Must-Have Herbs & Spices for Chronic Pain, 5 Strategies to Eliminate Chronic Pain.
7 Must-Have Herbs & Spices for Musculoskeletal Health, & 10 Must-Have Plant Nutrients for Musculoskeletal Health
Key Takeaways
Aim to drink 1 to 3 cups of tea per day to enjoy the therapeutic benefits. Drinking tea with or shortly after meals can help neutralize toxins that may be present in your diet.
Try my Iced Green Tea with Fennel Seeds recipe and start fighting back against pain today!
Iced Green Tea with Fennel Seeds
Serves: 2
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp green tea
- 1 Tbsp white tea
- 1 Tbsp fennel seeds
- 16 oz filtered water
- 1-2 tsp raw honey (optional)
- 2 sprigs mint
Directions
- In a pot, bring water and fennel seeds to a low boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add green and white tea. Let it steep for 1-3 minutes.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the tea.
- Add honey and stir until dissolved.
- Transfer to the refrigerator to cool, then serve over ice garnished with mint.
