It is important to determine the root cause of these problems, instead of putting a bandaid on the symptoms.

Tea and herbs have been used to combat inflammation in the body, let's take some time to look at the different types of tea and herbs that can help fight inflammation.

History of Anti Inflammatory Teas

White, black and green tea all originate from the same plant. Their differences in taste, caffeine level, and fragrance are emphasized in the ways that they are harvested and processed.

Drinking tea has cultural, culinary, and medicinal significance.

White Tea

Traditionally white teas contain lower amounts of caffeine. The average 8 oz cup contains 6-55mg of caffeine, and possesses a lighter and delicate tase. White tea is considered to be a part of the green tea family and is a flowering plant. Flower buds and leaves are harvested while the plant is young and has little white hairs, hence where white tea gets its name. Harvesting the plant young plays a big role in creating white tea's delicate flavor.

This tea is said to have the highest antioxidant count over its black and green tea counterparts since it is minimally processed. This caffeinated tea is known to help reduce inflammation.

Green Tea

Although green tea contains caffeine, it is high in antioxidants. Antioxidants within the green tea leaves have anti inflammatory benefits. The average 8oz cup of green tea possesses 30-70mg of caffeine. Green teas are made by drying and steaming green tea leaves that are harvested from the Camellia sinensis plant.

Black Tea

Worldwide, classic black teas are the most popular out of its white and green tea counterparts, and has the most caffeine of the teas that we are exploring today. On average an 8 oz cup has 47-90mg of caffeine. When processed the once green leaves become fully oxidized turning the once green leaves black.

Just as with white tea, black and green tea are known to help reduce inflammation.

Inflammation is a Response by Your Immune System

Your immune system responds to invasions both physical and bacterial with inflammation. Inflammation is not always a bad thing, as is necessary for the body to heal. Inflammation becomes problematic when it presents itself as acute or chronic inflammation.

Acute Inflammation

Acute inflammation typically occurs when there is a minor injury, cut, bruise, muscle soreness, or joint pain. Acute inflammation typically is intense and lasts only for a few weeks.

Chronic Inflammation Causes Chronic Diseases

Alternatively to acute inflammation, chronic inflammation can manifest itself for a long period of time in the body. Examples of inflammatory conditions include inflammatory bowel diseases, stomach cramps, arthritis, mood disorders, and fatigue. Chronic inflammation is commonly gradual and long lasting.

Different foods can also cause or irritate already present inflammation, specifically in people who have autoimmune diseases. Foods such as sugar, alcohol, and trans fats can increase inflammation in the body.

Drinking Tea May Help Reduce Inflammation

Is reducing inflammation just sips away?

Drinking tea may help your body reduce acute and chronic inflammation. This idea is not a new one throughout history tea has been used to help the body soothe inflammation. Reducing inflammation helps reduce pain, treat pain, and promote overall human health.

The below is a list of traditional teas and anti inflammatory herbs that have been used to fight inflammation: green tea, black tea, white tea, ginger tea, turmeric tea, peppermint tea, holy basil (holy basil is also known as tulsi tea), cinnamon tea, rosehip tea, chamomile tea, fennel tea, and licorice root tea.

With so many great immune fighting teas and herbs, let's explore what herbal blend we curated to fight inflammation.

Brew a Better Cup with Drink Symbi - Drink Tea to Help Fight Inflammation

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric ribosomes contain curcumin, which is what gives Turmeric its vibrant orange/yellow coloring. Historically turmeric tea was used in Chinese herbal medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Powdered turmeric is widely used culinarily and as a natural die.

Turmeric is high in antioxidants and its anti inflammatory properties are known to help joint pain, arthritis, assist in workout recovery as well as reduce skin inflammation. Reducing inflammation is not the only thing turmeric root is known for; turmeric root is also known to possess anti cancer properties by neutralizing free radicals (free radicals are reactive molecules that can cause cancer), prevention of heart disease, and promotion of healthy organs PubMed.

This article on healthline.com highlighted a 6-day study that was conducted with people who has symptoms related to osteoarthritis pain and inflammation. Each person took 1,500 mg of curcumin three times a day were found to have significantly reduced plain compared to the placebo group.

Black Pepper

Black pepper is known to add a spicy flavor to dishes, but did you know that it is also known for its anti inflammatory benefits. When black pepper is paired with turmeric it helps the body extract and absorb the powerful plant compounds from the turmeric.

Anti Inflammatory Properties and Health Benefits

Pepper helps reduce inflammation, reduce pain receptors in your body, and boosts the body's absorption of the beneficial compounds in curcumin.

Ginger Tea

Gingerol is the major bioactive compound in ginger, it adds great flavor to our tea and is high in antioxidants. Culinarily ginger is used to add a freshness to dishes, juiced, and is a common ingredient in various tea blends.

Anti Inflammatory Properties and Health Benefits

Ginger helps reduce inflammation and may also assist in the regulation of blood sugar in individuals who have diabetes.

Cinnamon Chips

Cinnamon is a warming spice that is often used in baking but it enhances more things than just the flavor of pies. There are two types of cinnamon ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, and cassia cinnamon which is the most common form of cinnamon today. Cinnamon comes from the inner tree bark of the cinnamon tree and is commonly found in grocery stores either as sticks or ground.

Anti inflammatory properties and Health Benefits

Cinnamon is high in antioxidants has anti inflammatory benefits such as reducing inflammation blockers. One of the inflammation blockers that it is known to reduce is the c reactive protein. The c reactive protein is produced by the liver and increases when there is inflammation present in the body.

Cinnamon is also known to assist in lowering blood sugar by slowing the body's breakdown of carbohydrates. Slowing down the breakdown of carbohydrates stops blood sugar spikes after eating meals. Blood sugar regulation is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

How much should I use?

To achieve the benefits of consuming cinnamon 1-6 grams of cinnamon should be ingested each day. If intending to use medicinally ceylon cinnamon is preferred as cassia cinnamon may cause damage due to its high coumarin content.

Lemongrass

With its potent citrus aroma and flavor, it is a great addition to our tea. Lemongrass is multifaceted and has many uses. Culinarily it is known to be a powerhouse in Thai cooking, topically it assists in repelling bugs, and medicinally it may reduce blood pressure.

Anti Inflammatory Properties and Health Benefits

Lemongrass is high in antioxidants and assists in reducing inflammation markers in the body. Lemongrass may also help lower blood pressure, help regulate cholesterol, and relieve symptoms of PMS.

How to Brew the Best Teas

Our herbal tea extracts the beneficial components of all of the herbs inside and is not enclosed in a tea bag as it is loose tea. We believe that this helps us produce the best teas for our customers, as tea bags have been found to have toxins such as micro plastics that are released into your tea when brewed.

The best teas start by heating 1-2 cups of water.

Pick your favorite tea infuser, you can find some of our favorites here.

Place 1-2 teaspoons of the anti-inflammatory herbal tea blend into the tea infuser and place the tea infuser into the heated water for 5-10 minutes.

Enjoy drinking tea!