There is nothing better than a hot tea to warm the body and soul in the cold days. Of course, it's even better if the tea you drink is a natural antihistamine. And indeed, certain teas have been shown to inhibit histamine release in the body [1], which is positive news for people with histamine intolerance, as well as type I allergies.

Today, we're giving you a rundown on delicious teas that you can enjoy with histamine intolerance and even help with your intolerance and symptoms.

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Bay leaf tea

Already the Romans and Greeks used laurel as a medicinal plant. Bay leaves have especially antibacterial, expectorant and digestive properties. The leaves are said to have alleviated problems with the stomach and bladder.

Even today, laurel is still often used for digestive problems.

In addition, drinking bay leaf tea can help relieve pain such as sprains, joint pain or even arthritis. A study also shows that it helps fight diabetes. [2]

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea can help you fall asleep better at night. But that's not the only thing chamomile tea can do for you: A 2011 study found a strong link between chamomile and inhibited histamine release [3].

Chamomile has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and is antispasmodic, so it can help with menstrual pain. It reduces inflammation and some studies have found that chamomile tea can lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. [4]

Ginger tea

Ginger is a well-known mast cell stabilizer. It is often used as an H2 histamine blocker for indigestion and excess stomach acid, so it is very soothing to the stomach. It is also anti-inflammatory and has a potential positive effect in cancer prevention [5].

It is believed that the antioxidants in ginger can help boost immunity [5] and reduce stress. Inhaling the steam from ginger tea can also help relieve stuffy noses and other respiratory problems caused by colds or environmental allergies.

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Hibiscus tea

Hibiscus is rich in quercetin and kaempferol, which can support mast cells and thus inhibit histamine release.

Some studies show that hibiscus tea can help lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure [6,7]. Other studies show that hibiscus tea can lower cholesterol levels - another risk factor for heart disease [8].

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Moringa tea

Moringa is also rich in the bioflavonoid kaempferol, which has been shown in studies to prevent histamine release from mast cells. Moringa tea often comes in the form of a powder from the ground leaves. Moringa is also one of the antihistamines [9].

The leaves of the moringa tree also contain several compounds that can ward off chronic diseases. These substances include polyphenols, tannins, saponins and others. In addition to fighting heart disease, liver damage, and diabetes, these compounds also fight chronic inflammation. [10]

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Olive leaf tea

Olive leaves are antioxidants and known for their anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been shown in multiple studies that they have positive effects on hypertension, high cholesterol and tumors. They can also make a positive contribution to lowering blood sugar levels. Olive leaves also contain secondary plant compounds that can inhibit histamine release. These include flavonoids luteolin and rutin, and oleuropein. [14]

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Peppermint tea

Peppermint also contains flavonoids, especially eriocitrin, luteolin and hesperidin. It is believed to lead to reduced histamine release and relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis such as nasal and sinus congestion. [15]

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Parsley tea

Parsley has both anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. Studies show that it inhibits histamine release from mast cells. Parsley also contains apigenin, a bioflavonoid that has been shown to inhibit histamine release.

It also contains carnosol, which is believed to have a positive effect on cancer prevention. Due to the content of vitamin C and beta-carotene, it also helps relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It is also believed that parsley can help achieve weight loss more easily. [16]

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Rooibos tea

Rooibos also contains flavonoids such as quercetin, luteolin, but especially aspalathin. Unfermented rooibos has a much higher content of flavonoids - aspalathin, for example, is present in unfermented rooibos in a 50-fold higher concentration than in fermented rooibos - and thus has a stronger anti-oxidant effect. [17]

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Thyme tea

Thyme is more than just a great spice for your dishes. The thymol contained in it is known for its bioactivity and has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. Thymol also increases vitamin C levels through various processes. Thyme also contains flavonoids, which, as explained, contribute to the lowering of histamine and stabilization of mast cells. [18,19]

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Tulsi tea

Tulsi or holy basil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties [20]. Many people with histamine intolerance have already had very good experiences with it.

Tulsi is also said to have a calming and antidepressant effect. Tulsi has anti-histaminic effects comparable to the actions of antihistamine drugs.

Cistus tea

The cistus has antibacterial and antiviral effects. The tannins of the cistus also make the cistus tea a very good detoxification drink. Heavy metals, but also free histamine can be bound and excreted directly in the intestine by drinking the medicinal tea.

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Pro-tip from us: Turmeric

Mix your tea with turmeric. In addition to its ability to reduce inflammation and improve body cleansing, turmeric can also inhibit mast cell activation. [21]

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References:

[1] MAEDA,Y., YAMAMOTO, M., MASUI, T., SUGIYAMA, K., YOKOTA, M., NAKAGOMI, K., ... & KOBAYASHI, T. (1989).Inhibitory Effect of Tea Extracts on Histamine Release from Mast Cells Studieson Anti-Allergic Activity in Tea. I. Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin EiseigakuZasshi), 30(4), 295-299_1.

[2] Alasalvar, C., & Chang, S.K. (2020). Antioxidants, polyphenols, and health benefits of cherry laurel: a review. Journal of FoodBioactives, 10.

[3] Chandrashekhar, V. M., Halagali, K. S., Nidavani, R. B.,Shalavadi, M. H., Biradar, B. S., Biswas, D., & Muchchandi, I. S. (2011). Anti-allergic activity of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) in mast cell mediated allergy model. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 137(1), 336-340.

[4] Zemestani, M., Rafraf, M., & Asghari-Jafarabadi, M.(2016). Chamomile tea improves glycemic indices and antioxidants status in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nutrition, 32(1), 66-72.

[5] Butt, M. S., & Sultan, M. T. (2011). Ginger and its health claims: molecular aspects. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 51(5), 383-393.

[6] McKay, D. L., Chen, C. O., Saltzman, E., & Blumberg, J.B. (2010). Hibiscus sabdariffa L. tea (tisane) lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. The Journal of nutrition, 140(2),298-303.

[7] Joven, J., March, I., Espinel, E., Fernández-Arroyo, S., Rodríguez-Gallego, E., Aragonès, G., ... & Camps, J. (2014). Hibiscus sabdariffa extract lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function. Molecular nutrition & food research, 58(6), 1374-1378.

[8] Lin, T. L., Lin, H. H., Chen, C. C., Lin, M. C., Chou, M. C.,& Wang, C. J. (2007). Hibiscus sabdariffa extract reduces serum cholesterol in men and women. Nutrition research, 27(3),140-145.

[9] Madukwe, E. U., Ezeugwu, J. O., & Eme, P. E. (2013). Nutrient composition and sensory evaluation of dry Moringa oleifera aqueous extract.

[10] Abdull Razis, A. F., Ibrahim, M. D., & Kntayya, S. B.(2014). Health benefits of Moringa oleifera. Asian pacific journal of cancer prevention, 15(20),8571-8576.

[11] Jakubczyk, K., Janda, K., Szkyrpan, S., Gutowska, I., &Wolska, J. (2015). Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.)-botanical characteristics, biochemical composition and health benefits. Pomeranian journal of life sciences, 61(2),191-198.

[12] Roschek Jr, B., Fink, R. C., McMichael, M., & Alberte, R.S. (2009). Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. PhytotherapyResearch: An International Journal Devoted to Pharmacological and Toxicological Evaluation of Natural Product Derivatives, 23(7), 920-926.

[13] Said, A. A. H., Otmani, I. S.E., Derfoufi, S., & Benmoussa, A. (2015). Highlights on nutritional and therapeutic value of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica). International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7(10), 8-14.

[14] Sabry, O. M. (2014). Beneficial health effects of oliveleaves extracts. Journal of Natural Sciences Research, 4(19),1-9.

[15] Inoue, T., Sugimoto, Y., Masuda, H., & Kamei, C. (2001).Effects of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) extracts on experimental allergic rhinitis in rats. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 24(1),92-95.

[16] Ajmera, P., Kalani, S., & Sharma, L. (2019).Parsley-benefits and side effects on health. International Journal of Physiology, Nutrition and Physical Education, 4(1),1236-1242.

[17] Bramati, L., Aquilano, F., & Pietta, P. (2003). Unfermentedrooibos tea: quantitative characterization of flavonoids by HPLC- UV and determination of the total antioxidant activity. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 51(25),7472-7474.

[18] Salehi, B., Mishra, A. P., Shukla, I., Sharifi-Rad, M., Contreras, M. D. M., Segura-Carretero, A., ... & Sharifi-Rad, J. (2018). Thymol, thyme, and other plant sources: health and potential uses. Phytotherapy Research, 32(9), 1688-1706.

[19] Stahl-Biskup, E., & Venskutonis, R. P. (2012). Thyme.In Handbook of herbs and spices (pp. 499-525). Woodhead Publishing.

[20] Devi, P. U. (2001). Radioprotective, anticarcinogenic andantioxidant properties of the Indian holy basil, Ocimum sanctum (Tulasi).

[21] Kocaadam, B., & Şanlier, N. (2017). Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on health. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 57(13), 2889-2895.

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