Best Tea for Allergies: Let’s Survive The Allergy Season

It is wonderful when nature is in sprout, but every day is a battle when you suffer from seasonal allergies. Allergies are common conditions affecting about 20 million people in the USA. [1] Whether these symptoms worsen from pollen, pets, or plants, they are often unbearable. As a result, people go for over-the-counter antihistamines that give temporary relief from allergy symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, sinus aches, and itchy eyes. Luckily, we have a long list of herbal teas that help with allergies. In addition to natural antihistamine effects, herbal teas have anti-inflammatory properties and provide a punch of antioxidants. This article will focus on the best tea for allergies that serve as herbal antihistamines, prevent you from sneezing, and help you fight allergies and hay fever.

What are Allergies & do we have the best tea for allergies? 

Seasonal allergies also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, occur in particular seasons like sprouting spring, summer, and early autumn. However, allergies may occur from allergens like dust, pollens, animal hair, and feathers. Above all, seasonal allergies are not life-threatening but may affect the quality of life. The best thing is that you don't need to suffer alone anymore during these allergy seasons, as there is plenty of the best tea for allergies around us. 

Different Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies

Allergic reactions occur when your body’s immune system reacts to these allergens resulting in allergic symptoms. Especially, seasonal allergies could occur in seasons like blooming spring, summer, and early fall, causing allergens like mold spores and pollen to trigger congestion and sneezing. In general seasonal allergies may share some common symptoms, causing confusion with a common cold.

Here are some common symptoms of seasonal allergies or hay fever,

• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose and eyes
• Sneezing
• Skin rash
• Stuffy nose
• Watery eyes
• Headache

Causes and Triggers of Allergy

Various allergens like food particles, environmental pollutants, pet hair, mold spores, dust, or perfume may cause and trigger seasonal allergies. Some people suffer from perennial allergies and experience these symptoms throughout the year. Here is a quick breakdown of possible allergy triggers and causes.

Spring

In the spring season, there is a quick release of pollen from grasses and trees into the air. Therefore, inhalation of these pollen may trigger allergies.

Summer

During summer, warm and humid air permits the allergens (mold spores and pollens) to move inside or outside the home and worsen the seasonal allergy symptoms.

Autumn

Ragweed, sagebrush, and mold spores are the common allergens that trigger allergies in the autumn.

Winter

During winter, you live in a house with windows closed, and allergens like dust particles, dander, molds, and dry air most commonly trigger allergic symptoms.

What are the Best Tea for Allergies

Instead of enduring allergic symptoms and feeling down throughout the day, make a cup of allergy tea that will help you combat allergic reactions. Usually, it is overwhelming to decide what to drink for allergies. There are a lot of drinks, tea blends, and herbal teas good for allergies. These teas come with a  perk of healing and calming properties that help balance the body and protect from the side effects of these seasonal allergies. Therefore, be wise to choose a tea with the best antihistamine properties. To reap maximum tea benefits, it is important to comprehend how to drink tea.

All the true teas (white, yellow, green, black, oolong, and Pu-erh) and various herbal teas with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities provide relief from seasonal allergies. So here is our list containing the best tea for allergies. 

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea, also known as “red tea” is a flavorful tea obtained from the leaves of Aspalathus linearis. It contains antioxidant compounds aspalathin and quercetin that protect the body from free radical damage. [2] These antioxidant compounds restrict the release of histamines and give relief from allergic rhinitis. [3] On the other hand, studies have revealed that rooibos tea boosts antioxidant levels in the body, reduces oxidative stress, prevents cellular damage, and boosts immunity by reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Stinging Nettle Tea

Stinging nettle tea originates from the nettle plant (Urtica dioica) grown in Africa, Europe, and America and is best known for its medicinal properties. When looking into the properties, stinging nettle tea contains vitamins, coumaric acid, alkaloids, lignans, and chlorogenic acid. According to a study, nettle root extract significantly reduced allergic symptoms compared to placebo. [4]

Ginger Tea

Ginger tea comes from fresh or dried rhizomes of the ginger plant, which is best known for relieving nausea but is also used as an effective remedy to reduce allergic conditions. Further, it can relieve allergies and reduce nasal congestion and is the best tea for a runny nose, because it contains gingerol and polyphenolic compounds. These bioactive compounds could restrict the mucus secretion from epithelial cells and regulate the movement of cilia in the nose. [5] 

Peppermint Tea

There is nothing better than drinking a cup of warm tea on cold winter nights to clear your sinuses. But the question is, “what tea is good for sinus allergies?” Our beloved peppermint tea derives from the leaves of Mentha piperita and possesses cooling properties that make it an effective remedy for sore throat. It contains menthol and menthone, bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties that combat infections and relieve allergic symptoms. [6]

Licorice Root Tea

Licorice tea descends from the licorice plant known as Glycyrrhiza glabra. It is commonly known for its soothing properties of relieving sore throat and other respiratory problems. Licorice root has been used as one of the best antihistamine herbs to relieve cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, asthma, and seasonal allergies. Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhizic acid, the bioactive compounds of licorice, are one of the best natural remedies against various types of allergies. These can soothe a sore throat, relieve cough, open the blocked sinuses and improve respiratory conditions. [7]

Lemon Balm Tea

In addition to medicinal properties, lemon balm is a tea that helps with allergies. The tea comes from a citrus-scented plant called Melissa officinalis. Besides relieving headaches, lemon balm may reduce allergies, combat colds, and relieve other respiratory conditions. Moreover, lemon balm tea contains vitamin C, which fights infections, treats allergies, and boosts immunity. Apart from that, the rosmarinic acid found in this tea provides rich antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. It helps relieve allergic symptoms, and boosts cognitive abilities and boosts mood. [8]

Green Tea

Green tea is an amazing herbal tea obtained from the same plant of black tea known as Camellia sinensis. This tea shines with  antioxidant compounds like EGCG, and quercetin, which possess anti-inflammatory effects against allergens. This is a tea good for allergies and contains a natural antihistamine compound. These compounds block the activation of mast cells, relieve blocked sinuses, and reduce the symptoms of allergies. Further, the polyphenol in green tea reduces hay fever symptoms, prevents histamine release, and reduces seasonal allergies. [9]

Steep green tea and enjoy the warm beverage that treats allergies and gives your health a natural boost.

Bottom Line: the Best Tea for Allergies

Allergies are common conditions affecting millions of people worldwide and are caused by pollen, allergens, dust, and environmental pollutants. Some teas are deemed the best teas for allergies because they can help combat infections and prevent allergic symptoms. If you have allergy symptoms, it is better to choose a beverage from the list of "what tea is good for allergies?" There are different types of teas that give allergy relief. This list includes rooibos, stinging nettle, ginger, peppermint, licorice, lemon balm, green, tulsi, and even butterbur. However, there could be plenty more teas that are eligible to make their names to the list of “Best Tea for Allergies” and we at TeaJTea are on a continual journey to finding those.