For the hundreds of millions of tea drinkers worldwide, tea is both soothing and nourishing. For the estimated 50 million people suffering with arthritis, tea is also potential treatment, and a remedy for achy joints. Your pharmacies and grocery stores might display many varieties of tea, but not all are good options for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. Talk to your doctor about the right tea that may be suitable for your condition.
Benefits
Certain chemicals in tea are shown to reduce inflammation, a common symptom occurring with rheumatoid arthritis, which leads to loss of mobility and pain. Aside from the immediate relief tea might provide rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, it is also shown to reduce joint damage over time, by slowing cartilage breakdown, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Types
From fruity to spicy, tea is available in countless flavors and blends. Ginger, feverfew and green tea are those commonly consumed for rheumatoid arthritis. All are centuries-old remedies that are still in use today, despite the many conventional medicines available. In fact, "Arthritis Today" magazine notes that both green tea and innovative biologic drugs -- used for autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis -- work in the same way, by blocking inflammatory chemicals in your body.
Side Effects and Dosages
The amount of tea you should use to treat your rheumatoid arthritis varies, depending on the type of tea, your individual health status and the medications you use. If consumed in excess or by people sensitive to caffeine, green tea might cause irritability, insomnia, dizziness and heart palpitations. For many people, however, 2 to 3 cups daily is a safe dosage of green tea.
No serious side effects are likely with feverfew, although upon stopping use, long-time users may experience sleep difficulties, joint pain, anxiety or headaches. Ginger is likewise safe in small doses, although minor side effects may occur, including gas, bloating and stomach discomfort. Talk to your doctor about safe dosages of these teas.
Considerations
Although tea is one of the most widely sipped beverages in the world, subsequent to water alone, some people dislike its taste. Rather than forcing down the fluid, look for other forms of your favorite herbs. Health food stores and pharmacies often carry tablets, capsules and even topical applications containing herbal extracts for rheumatoid arthritis relief. Thunder god vine preparations and plant oils derived from borage, evening primrose and black currant seeds are additional herbal options shown to benefit rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, according to MayoClinic.com. Get your doctor's approval before using any product.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Arthritis-Related Statistics; October 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Green Tea
- "Arthritis Today"; Green Tea May Block Inflammation
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Feverfew; December 2006
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Ginger; May 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Alternative Medicine; November 2009
