Tea for Asthma Relief: Does It Work?

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Research linking tea and asthma relief is limited. Nonetheless, certain types of tea are popular among people with asthma because they’re thought to give mild relief for certain symptoms. Black tea and green tea are both made from the Camellia sinensis plant and contain caffeine (black tea is made from fully oxidized leaves, while green teas are made from less processed ones), while herbal teas are caffeine-free and made from various herbs, spices, and other plants, Aragonez explains. Here’s a bit more about how these teas may help.

Ginger Tea

“Ginger is known to have some anti-inflammatory effects, but the amount found in teas is likely not sufficient to relieve symptoms,” Sharma says. In a review of the research on ginger as an asthma treatment, researchers state that while there’s potential for the use of ginger tea for asthma, the existing studies have been done on rodents and human cells in test tubes, so more research is needed.

 To brew ginger tea, Aragonez recommends steeping a tea bag or loose dried ginger in water at 200 degrees F for up to seven minutes.

Green Tea

One very preliminary study found that green tea extract could reduce airway inflammation and mucus production in asthmatic mice.

No studies have been done to say whether the same thing is true in humans. Still, green tea can be a great part of your overall wellness routine because it’s rich in antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation in your body, Randhawa says.

To brew green tea, steep a teabag in 6 ounces of water at about 175 degrees F for three to four minutes.

Black Tea

“Black tea contains a compound called theophylline, which can relax the muscles around your airways,” Dasgupta says. But, he adds, “there is no scientifically proven link between black tea and asthma treatment.” If you enjoy black tea, you might try adding it to your day in addition to your asthma medication.

To brew black tea, place a tea bag or a teaspoon of loose tea in a cup and pour over 6 ounces of water that’s just reached a boil. Steep for three to five minutes.

Eucalyptus Tea

Eucalyptus tea is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. One small, older clinical trial of 32 people with bronchial asthma found that those who received 200 milligrams of a eucalyptol (an active compound in eucalyptus) were able to reduce their corticosteroid inhaler use by about a third after 12 weeks, while those who received a placebo reduced inhaler use by 7 percent in the same time frame.

 It’s worth noting that the results of this 20-year-old preliminary study have never been replicated or built upon, so you should take them with a big grain of salt.

What’s more, eucalyptus tea could make symptoms worse. “Some people who are sensitive to strong smells may find that eucalyptus triggers a cough,” she cautions, adding that some people are also sensitive to eucalyptus pollens, which can exacerbate symptoms.

If you decide to try eucalyptus tea after talking to your doctor, Aragonez says that it’s best to brew your tea bag or loose tea at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 5 minutes.

Mullein Tea

“Mullein tea is traditionally used to soothe the respiratory system and may also help to clear mucus, but there is limited research that this works,” Randhawa says. Until there are studies that look into why and how this tea might help, there’s no way to say that it could be a valuable part of your asthma routine.

Licorice Root Tea

“Licorice root can be soothing to the throat and reduces cough,” Sharma says. “It can also serve as an expectorant, helping people cough mucous out of the airways.” But, she says, this claim comes from anecdotal evidence, not clinical data. If you enjoy the strong flavor, licorice tea may be a helpful addition to your routine.

To brew licorice root tea, Aragonez says to heat water to 200 degrees and pour it over a tea bag or loose tea, then steep for 5 to 7 minutes.

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