If you experience itchy, watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, scratchy throat and headache due to allergies, you’ll do just about anything to find relief. Maybe you’ve even heard that drinking certain teas can help manage symptoms. Many people write this off as an old wives’ tale, but there’s actually truth to it. We review the research behind drinking tea to relieve allergies below.

Green Tea

Green tea has been shown to help improve brain function, lower risk of prostate cancer and promote weight loss. A certain type, Benifukki tea, or Camellia sinensis, a cultivated variety of Japanese green tea, contains high amounts of methylated catechins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which are both recognized for their anti-allergic protective effects. In fact, a 2013 study has shown this type of tea can reduce symptoms of allergic reaction, specifically to cedar pollen.

Stinging Nettle Tea

Understanding how stinging nettle tea protects against allergies is important to understand what causes allergy symptoms. When your body encounters a normally-harmless substance that it deems a threat, known as an allergen, it releases antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This antibody tells the cells to release histamine, which triggers inflammation and increased mucus production.

Tea brewed with stinging nettle, otherwise known as Urtica dioica, contains antihistamines, reducing nasal inflammation and easing pollen allergy symptoms.

Butterbur Tea

Butterbur, also called Petasites hybridus, is a plant that is found in marshy areas. One of the many conditions it has been used to treat is seasonal allergies. In fact, one 2013 study found butterbur to be as effective as the over-the-counter antihistamine Allegra in providing relief from allergy symptoms.

Other Ingredients

According to a 2010 study, other natural ingredients can be made into teas to reduce allergy and sinusitis symptoms, including ginger with the active ingredient [6]-gingerol and turmeric with the active ingredient curcumin. While tea from Just Add Honey Tea Company can make a great complementary allergy solution, it isn’t enough in many cases.

To talk to an expert allergist and come up with an allergy management plan, call ENT of Georgia North today.