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A cup of tea for immune system, sounds unreal right? But wait, do not click back. Keep on reading. Your perception of this humble cup of beverage may completely change when you get to know its medicinal and remedial properties.
A steaming cup of tea, a plate of hot fritters by the side, a book in your hand, and raining outside…is the only scenario that you can imagine when you hear tea? Then, my friend, the time has come to change some of your perceptions.
Well, the above scenario does sound idealistic and is a great way to unwind after a long hectic week but have you ever imagined that this amazing drink which is not only a great conversation starter but also is the best for your immune system?
Tea not only improves your overall health, and strengthens your immunity but can also be a good source of hydration too. People have been turning towards tea for its medicinal properties1 to ward off illness for ages.
So let’s now look at the list of some great tea for the immune system and spill some tea on its way.
10 Best Tea for Immune System: A Complete Guide
1. Indian Masala Tea For Immune System- Adding Spice to Your System
The list cannot begin without naming the most popular tea of all ‘The Indian Masala Chai’ or popularly known as the Cutting Chai.
A concoction of different spices like black cardamom, carom seeds, clove, black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon provides a beautiful blend for the tea. Not only it tastes amazing, but it is anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and high in antioxidants.
This drinking tea infused with punches of spices is an instant energy booster.
Also a gut-friendly drink, this tea is great at keeping all heart diseases at bay2. Masala Chai is the go-to remedy for any discomfort caused due to cold and cough or wards off any flu type.
The spices’ nutritional benefits blend perfectly with the herbal properties of the tea and become a potent booster for your immune system.
2. Green Tea for Immunity- Revitalizing and Super Healthy
Green tea is second on the list of tea for the immune system. Made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis, it has already made quite a name for itself as an immune-boosting tea3.
But did you know the fact that, unlike other teas, its leaves are either steamed or pan-fried to stop the oxidation process, which in return increases the beneficial compounds in it, which are the antioxidants and catechins?
Being rich in antioxidants, green tea has been shown to ward off the flu and the common cold effectively.
It is a go-to drink for athletes and celebrities or for anyone looking to lose weight as it helps increase the metabolism of the body, making you fitter and healthier with each passing day.
If we are talking about green tea helping to lose weight, we have to talk about the variant that does the job best. Yes, you are right. I am talking about Matcha.
The fine-quality powder made from the leaves grown in the shades is exceptionally rich in antioxidants and can effectively help you renounce some unhealthy body fats.
3. Black Tea – Boosting Immune Function
A “true” tea made from the leaves of the same plant as green tea, black tea contains a high amount of catechins, theaflavins, and thearubigins, which makes it rich in antiviral properties.4
Its high antioxidant content makes it easier to reduce inflammation, and it boosts heart health.
To make it to the list of tea for the immune system, black tea has proven its worth. Black tea is scientifically proven to be good for people who are prone to strokes. It also helps improve your gut health, and due to caffeine’s presence, it improves your concentration and helps you to focus better.
4. Licorice Root Tea- Extracting Toxicity Out Of Your Body
As the name suggests, tea made from the extracts of licorice root5 is a classic example of Chinese herbal tea. Its antiviral, and antimicrobial properties boost your immune system to work at full power.
A comforting cup of subtle sweetness and thick consistency can eradicate any dry throat and stuffy nose. It also helps in the soothing mucous membrane, neutralizes toxicity in the liver, and is also mildly laxative.
It has been found that having a cup of licorice root tea every day can provide you with a remedy for skin conditions like eczema and acne. It also helps in regulating acid reflux and can alleviate peptic ulcers.
Many scientists even believe that this tea of excellence can soon become an antidote against fighting cancer. But make sure that you do not serve this tea to pregnant women or to those who have impaired kidney or liver functions.
5. Chamomile Tea– Calming and Helping You to Relax
Next on the list of tea for the immune system with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protecting agents is chamomile tea, which is great to strengthen your immune system6. Taken with a dollop of honey, it can instantly help you to relax and calm your mind.
It has scientifically proven to be helpful while being used as a sleeping aid. It helps in curing digestive problems and can also fight against diarrhea and stomach ulcers.
With its emmenagogue properties, it is effective against premenstrual and postmenstrual troubles and reduces muscle spasms.
Sipping on a cup of hot chamomile tea can also be very beneficial for your skin and hair. It has been seen that chamomile tea helps to bring you a glow from within and helps achieve a youthful and radiant look.
Also, if you want naturally voluminous and lustrous hair, then chamomile tea is your one-stop solution for all.
6. Peppermint Tea- Bringing Freshness Back Into Your Soul
A cup of this cool and minty tea is great to support your immune system. Rich in antioxidants, and antibacterial, and antiviral properties, peppermint tea provides great support for digestive systems.7
It soothes the digestive tract by relaxing the stomach muscles and aids indigestion.
Like peppermint essential oil, peppermint tea is famous for its aromatic scent and, therefore, can effectively camouflage bad breath.
It helps in creating mental awareness and improves your focus. It can also easily combat against common cold and flu.
7. Ginger Tea- Being Sweet and Spice and Everything Nice
One of the most popular teas among tea drinkers. It is the best tea for the immune system as this slightly sweet, slightly spicy cup of beverage can easily keep all diseases at bay.
Bestowed with antimicrobial properties, ginger tea can fight against inflammation and is also an effective remedy against nausea. It can lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels and also provides a good cure for chronic indigestion. Truly, a true tea for the immune system.
Also, according to studies, it has been found that ginger tea effective in preventing cancer, and not only does ginger tea help in getting healthy skin but also voluminous hair.
8. Hibiscus Tea- Helping in Reversing Down Your Ageing Process
This immunity tea made from soaking hibiscus flowers in hot water has a slightly tart flavor to it. Loaded with high amounts of antioxidants and antiviral properties, hibiscus tea can slow down the aging process8 and also promotes the overall health of the body.
Studies have revealed that it has significantly contributed to helping with weight loss also. Truly, a perfect tea for the immune system.
It is also considered that Hibiscus tea has a positive effect on cholesterol levels and is good for the heart. Still, it should be made sure that people who are under the medication of hydrochlorothiazide should not consume this tea.
9. Rosehip Tea- Combating Force Against Diseases
This fragrant tea for the immune system is made from the pseudo fruits of the rose plant. Bestowed with anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to put up a strong fight against inflammation caused due to rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
This cup of goodness has proven to act as herbal medicine against Type 2 diabetes. Like hibiscus tea, rosehip tea can also retract the aging process and can help you to get youthful and supple skin.
10. Lemongrass Tea- Revitalizing Your Body
And last but definitely not least, on this list of tea for the immune system is this refreshing cup of tea, which is also deliciously healthy. The citrus flavor of the tea blends with your body to give you an invigorating sensation. Its cooling energy helps to smooth down your stomach keeping your digestive functions in check.
Due to high amounts of potassium, lemongrass tea is effectively beneficial in regulating high blood pressure.
Rich in antioxidants, it helps in the complete detoxification of the body. For all those people who are looking for a way to lose weight without doing much exercise, this tea is the key to your answer, as it has been found to be successfully able to burn down unnecessary body fats.
Now, here comes the end to our tea journey. Many teas did not make it to this list of tea for the immune system but mentioned above are some of the bests of the best. Tea has always been the go-to drink at any time, but who knew that the humble cup of tea could have such a profound impact on our health? Let us all say cheers to a cup of tea for the immune system.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do These Teas Improve the Immune System?
Antioxidants and other healthy substances found in tea help boost the immune system and shield the body from infections.
2. Can Tea Heal Ailments?
Tea may have certain health advantages, but it does not treat diseases. It can be used as an additional therapy to strengthen the immune system and advance general health.
3. Can Tea Be Used as A Medicine?
Tea can be used as a supplemental therapy to boost the immune system and advance general health, but it cannot replace medication.
4. How Much Tea Should I Consume to Strengthen My Immune System?
Although there is no set amount of tea to consume daily to strengthen the immune system, experts usually agree that 1-3 cups are both safe and helpful.
Reviewed By: Nwuko Ann Oluebube
Registered Nurse/Freelancer
- Cooper, Raymond, D. James Morré, and Dorothy M. Morré. “Medicinal benefits of green tea: part II. Review of anticancer properties.” Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 11.4 (2005): 639-652. ↩︎
- Cheng, Tsung O. “All teas are not created equal: the Chinese green tea and cardiovascular health.” International journal of cardiology 108.3 (2006): 301-308. ↩︎
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- Fukuchi, Kunihiko, et al. “Antiviral and antitumor activity of licorice root extracts.” in vivo 30.6 (2016): 777-785. ↩︎
- Srivastava, Janmejai K., and Sanjay Gupta. “Health promoting benefits of chamomile in the elderly population.” Complementary and Alternative Therapies and the Aging Population. Academic Press, 2009. 135-158. ↩︎
- McKay, Diane L., and Jeffrey B. Blumberg. “A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.).” Phytotherapy Research: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives 20.8 (2006): 619-633. ↩︎
- Widowati, Wahyu, et al. “Antioxidant and antiaging assays of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract and its compounds.” Natural Product Sciences 23.3 (2017): 192-200. ↩︎
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