5 Delicious Teas for Asthma Relief and Respiratory Health
Shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing
are the hallmarks of asthma, a common chronic condition that affects
the airways and makes breathing and physical activities more difficult.
But allergy sufferers, those recovering from the flu or those suffering
from any other acute or respiratory condition will also likely
experience similar symptoms. While medical treatments intended can
address the respiratory issue you or your loved one is experiencing,
it’s certainly also useful to supplement them with healthy lifestyle
habits, such as breathing exercises.
Another excellent way to support the health
of your respiratory system is through drinking tea, as certain herbs
contain active natural compounds known to improve asthma symptoms and
breathing difficulties. Below, we have listed the 5 best tea varieties
shown scientifically to bring relief to respiratory issues and asthma
symptoms specifically.
1. Licorice Tea (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice tea is made of dried and ground up
licorice root, a powerful herbal remedy that's known to promote
cardiovascular health, offer pain relief, and has been used to diminish
asthma symptoms for centuries. The sweet and aromatic root naturally
contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which has been shown in animal
model studies and human research to improve symptoms of asthma and
potentiate conventional asthma treatments.
How to make licorice tea:
Bring 8 oz (240 ml) water to a boil, and then add 2 teaspoons of dried
licorice root, chopped up into small pieces. Remove from the heat, cover
with a lid, and let the tea steep for 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy warm
or cold.
Avoid drinking more than 1 cup (240 ml) of licorice root a day, as
excessive daily consumption may increase your blood pressure and have
other adverse side effects. If you have cardiovascular issues or other
pre-existing conditions, ask a health professional if licorice tea is
safe for you.
2. Green and Black Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Both black and green tea come from the same
plant, and both are rich in caffeine, antioxidants, and other plant
compounds known to improve breathing and clear out the airways, as well
as lower your risk of numerous diseases and aid weight loss.
More specifically, the antioxidants present in green tea may address the
cause of asthma and other respiratory conditions - inflammation,
whereas caffeine provides temporary relief, as it is capable of relaxing
the airways for up to 4 hours after absorption. Additionally, one large
Korean study also found that drinking 2 cups of green tea a day made
participants have a much better lung function in general compared to
those who didn't drink tea.
How to prepare black and green tea will depend on the brand and variety
of tea, so it's best to consult the instructions printed on the
packaging of the tea you have at home.
3. Mullein Tea (Verbasscum thapus)
Another herb known for its remarkable
respiratory health benefits is the common mullein, the leaves of which
are dried and used to prepare a yellow-colored tea with a refreshing and
subtly sweet taste. This tea has been used in traditional medicine
specifically as a remedy for respiratory issues ranging from a wet cough
to bronchitis and asthma.
Studies support the use of mullein for respiratory issues and asthma,
suggesting it may help symptoms like coughing and wheezing. The herbal
tea may also reduce inflammation and relax the muscles in your
respiratory system, which can help with the feeling of tightness in the
chest and shortness of breath.
How to prepare mullein tea:
Add in 1 teaspoon of dried mullein leaves into 1 cup (240 ml) of boiling
water. Then, steep the tea for 15-30 minutes, subsequently straining
out the leaves and drinking as is.
4. Ginger Tea (Zingiber officinale)
It seems that there are very few health
concerns Ginger Tea can't help with, which isn't surprising given that
ginger root is such a powerful anti-inflammatory substance. The
antioxidants present in ginger, such as gingerols and shogaols, reduce
the inflammation in the airways, which may ultimately alleviate
respiratory symptoms, breathing distress, and asthma symptoms.
One study even reported that asthma patients who took 450 mg of ginger
extract every day noticed 20% less wheezing and 52% less chest tightness
compared to the placebo group after 2 months of taking ginger.
How to make ginger tea:
Finely grate a one-inch (2.5 cm) piece of peeled ginger and add to 1 cup
(240 ml) of boiling water. Depending on how spicy you like your ginger
tea, steep the tea from 10-20 minutes, then strain and enjoy as is or
with some lemon and honey.
5. Eucalyptus Tea (Eucalyptus globulus)
The last, but certainly not the least item
on our list is eucalyptus tea, which is made from dried eucalyptus
leaves. Make sure NOT to prepare this tea with eucalyptus essential oil
instead of dried leaves, as the essential oil is highly concentrated and
toxic when ingested, whereas the leaves of the plant are safe to brew
into a tea.
Studies have confirmed that an ingredient called eucalyptol naturally
present in the leaves of the plant is capable of decreasing
inflammation, expanding the airways in your lungs, and reducing mucus
production. One article even reported that taking 600 mg of eucalyptol
every day reduced asthma patients' need in medication by 29% compared to
placebo.
How to make eucalyptus tea:
Steep 1.5 teaspoons of dried eucalyptus leaves in 1 cup (240 ml) of
boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain the leaves before drinking and
enjoy cold or warm.