Ultimate List of Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Teas

Teas have been around for centuries as the main way to take an herbal remedy. Now thanks to the population getting re-awakened to ancient healthier lifestyles many have decided to ditch the “hard on the liver” drugs for inflammation for more natural remedies.

Getting straight to the point here is a list of anti-inflammatory herbs, ALL of which can be taken in the form of a tea several times a day. Each herb has a multitude of various benefits, so mix and match and make your own tea!

1. Ginger Tea

Ginger tea has anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of phytochemicals; therefore, it helps in relieving arthritic pain.

How to take: It is easy to prepare – simply make it into slices and steep in boiling water. Ginger tea also has blood thinning properties please be aware of that if you have other issues or are already on blood thinners.

2. Green Tea

The active ingredient, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) present in green tea, imparts green tea of its anti-inflammatory properties. EGCG works by stopping the production of some inflammatory chemicals.

How to take: It is prepared by steeping the tea leaves in boiling water (usually one teaspoon of leaves per cup of water).

3. Black Tea

Another anti-inflammatory tea is black tea. The ingredient quercetin present in black tea is a bioflavonoid with anti-inflammatory properties.

How to take: It is also prepared by steeping the tea leaves in boiling water. However, black tea contains high amount of caffeine, which can cause jitteriness or in some cases skin flareups, so use caution.

4. Willow Bark Tea

Willow bark has been used centuries back in certain parts of Europe and China. According to several studies, it has anti-inflammatory properties that are similar to those of aspirin. The chemical salicin and anti-inflammatory compounds flavonoids are responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties.

How to take:  Prepare by steeping the thin willow bark in boiling water.

5. Turmeric Tea

Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It is a spicy powder that is obtained by grinding the dried rhizome of the herb curcuma longa. Turmeric is a part of the ginger family and often used to treat wounds, inflammation and tumors. Turmeric is a fat soluable spice, therefore needs to be consumed with a natural fat to get the maximum benefit. Put a little coconut oil in your tea or eat some yogurt or a salad with olive oil before having your tea.

How to take: The recommended dosage is 1,200 mg per day. A delicious anti-inflammatory tea can be prepared combining ½ tsp. of turmeric powder with 1 ounce of frozen concentrate of orange juice and ginger tea.

6. Rosehip Tea

A tangy, tart, pink colored tea is prepared by steeping rosehips in boiling water. It mixes well with other teas such as hibiscus and is a common ingredient in many herbal teas. It is a rich source of vitamin C. It is also useful in boosting the immune system, increasing energy and healing cells and tissues.

7. Nettle Leaf Tea

The plant stinging nettle has been used since centuries especially in parts of Europe to treat all sorts of illnesses. The stinging chemicals, which are released from the hairs present mostly on the underside of the leaves, have been found to reduce pain by decreasing the inflammatory chemicals in the human body and also by interfering with the process of transmitting pain to the brain by the body.

How to Take: Nettle leaf can be purchased from any health food store. Or you can pick it from the wild (just be sure to use gloves because it does sting. It can be prepared with boiling water the same as any tea. When the hot water hits the leaves the sting is gone, which is how the Romans consumed it regular as a vegetable without getting stung.

8. Frankincense Tea

The aromatic resin found in the boswellia tree is a powerful anti-inflammatory tea agent. It has been shown that the primary constituent of boswellia-boswellic acids inhibits mediators of inflammation.

How to take:  The recommended dosage of boswellia is 1,200 to 1,500 mg 2-3 times a day. It is advised to use standardized extract, which has 60-65% boswellic acids.

9. Alfalfa Tea

Alfalfa is a rich source of minerals and chlorophyll, which is an effective anti-inflammatory. According to a study conducted on rats at the National Institute of Animal Sciences, chlorophyll extracted from alfalfa showed anti-inflammatory activity.

How to take: Alfalfa has pleasant taste and can be steeped in boiling water to prepare tea. It can also be added to stews and soups.

10. Bilberry Tea

Bilberry is a close relation to blueberry, a North American fruit. The ingredient anthocyanin is present in bilberry. Bilberry is popular for treating inflammation in parts of North America and Europe. Studies have been conducted on lab mice at the University Hospital of Zurich to test the efficacy of this herb in providing treatment for inflammation of bowels. The results of the study have been positive. This prompts further study of the chemical anthocyanin for relieving other types of inflammatory diseases. The recommended dosage of bilberry is 160 mg 2-3 times per day.

11. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint has proven to possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anti-microbial properties. It’s often used to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and support respiratory health by reducing congestion and opening the airways. It’s known as one of the best teas for inflammation of the stomach.

How to prepare: You can easily find peppermint tea in bag form at your local grocery store. There are also loose leaf tea options on the market.

If you have peppermint oil at home, you can make an anti-inflammatory tea by adding two drops to green, white or black tea. This is an excellent remedy for upset stomach, respiratory issues and fatigue.

12. Chamomile Tea

One of the most well-known anti-inflammatory teas is chamomile, which has been used for nearly 5,000 years for its ability to promote tranquility and longevity.

Chamomile tea has actually been called an “herbal aspirin” because of its pain-lowering properties. The anti-inflammatory effects of chamomile allow the herb to reduce pain, swelling, redness and underlying issues of inflammation.

Research evaluating the benefits of chamomile show that not only can the herb reduce inflammation when consumed in tea form, but it works to improve inflammatory issues when used topically too.

Chamomile is often used to treat inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, and for various bacterial infections of the skin, mouth and respiratory tract. It may also help to soothe gastrointestinal complains and even inflammation of the eye. Just note, people with ragweed allergies sometimes report aggravated symptoms when drinking chamomile tea, so it may not be a suitable choice for people allergic to ragweed.

How to prepare: Chamomile tea is the most popular way to consume the herb, and it’s widely available in ready-to-serve tea bags. You can also find chamomile powder and extracts, which are known to be the most potent forms of the herb’s antioxidants. If you are drinking chamomile tea to reduce inflammation, consume 1–4 cups per day.

13. Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a plant that belongs to the holly family and its leaves and young twigs are shredded and aged to make loose-leaf tea. Yerba mate contains polyphenols and saponins that help to boost the immune system and support the body’s ability to protect itself from disease.

Yerba mate is also nutrient-dense, containing multiple vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty aids, tannins, amino acids and chlorophyll. Research shows that yerba mate has a high antioxidant capacity and protects DNA from oxidation.

How to prepare: Yerba mate is available in loose-leaf, ready-to-brew tea bags. You can also find it as a bottled cold beverage. When making a loose leaf tea, bring water or milk to a simmer, not a boil, add about one teaspoon per cup and let it steep for 3–5 minutes. For flavor, you can add lemon, mint or your favorite natural sweetener.

14. Rosemary

Drinking rosemary tea might potentially be helpful for people who are suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, arthritis, chronic pain, hair loss, anxiety, stress, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, and a number of skin conditions. Rosemary tea may have a lot of benefits to offer, some of which are listed below;

Aides In Skin Care

The compounds found in rosemary tea might be well known to improve the appearance of the skin, especially in preventing UV induced damage thanks to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A review on plants used to treat skin diseases, published in Pharmacognosy Reviews, explained these benefits of rosemary in detail. Apart from UV damage, rosemary might also have been effective in treating acne. 

How to prepare: Put one fresh sprig (or some dried leaves) in a teapot and simmer for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

15. Horse Tail Herb

If you have a bad fall and twist something rather than break it, then horsetail tea may still help you as it is said to help heal torn tissues and cartilage. This is particularly helpful in the case of joint injuries as this infusion may help repair and strengthen them, clearing away inflammation.

Drinking this tea could help improve tissue repair, regenerating connective tissues and collagen fibers. It may speed up recovery time helping to promote strength and elasticity.

How to prepare: Put fresh horsetail herb or dried horsetail herb into a pot and steep for a few minutes and enjoy.

16. Cleavers

Cleavers is believed to support the immune system and have diuretic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition to research on cancer, cleavers has been used on skin conditions, like psoriasis and eczema.

How to prepare: Steep some of the dried or fresh herb in a pot for a few minutes and then enjoy.

17. Marigold (Calendula)

Marigold tea is a tea made from the dried blossoms of the pot marigold plant, a garden plant commonly grown worldwide. Marigold tea is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties when ingested. When used topically, marigold tea can treat skin irritation like eczema.

How to prepare: Because Marigold is quite delicate you don’t need boiling water over this dried flower just “almost” boiling water. Let set for a few minutes and enjoy.

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