Would it help to drink hot beverages for fibromyalgia (FMS)? It might. According to research, it seems like tea has quite a few things to offer, both for the public in general and for those of us with FM. Much of the research is in its initial stages and some outcomes are contradictory, but a picture is emerging.
Tea is one of the most popular hot beverage in the world, but it is way down on the list in the USA, coming in behind soda and coffee. However, recent studies suggesting health benefits of tea have definitely raised its popularity and profile here. So is it all hype, or is there something to it?
Tea comprises two things that seem to offer health benefits: theanine and polyphenols. Whereas tea has not been studied precisely for fibromyalgia, we have research proposing that these two ingredients might hold some potential as treatments.
How Hot Beverages with Herb Helps Fibromyalgia
The volatile essential oils in thyme are high in anti-rheumatic, antiviral, anti-parasitic, antiseptic, and anti-fungal properties. Drinking thyme tea every morning can lower the viral load in the body, hence making it effective in the treatment of FM.
One of the reasons thyme is so beneficial is for the reason that it is high in minerals and vitamins, like potassium, iron, calcium, B-complex vitamins, folic acid, vitamin A, and C. All of these nutrients contribute to proper blood pressure regulation, red blood cell formation, and distribution of antioxidants in the body. It also contains thymol, an essential oil with potent antioxidant properties.
Drinking thyme tea regularly each morning before breakfast can help alleviate muscle and joint pain. Avila cautions against using thyme leaves if you have a history of peptic ulcers, heart disease or other gastrointestinal disorders. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, skin rash, tightening of the throat, or swelling of the joints after drinking thyme tea, seek immediate medical attention.
Thyme is not just for flavoring your food in cooking. Drinking thyme tea can help to treat your FM.
How Hot Beverages with Ginger Helps Fibromyalgia
Ginger has protein, healthy plant fats known as carbohydrates, vitamins, lipids, minerals, and trace elements. It is high in potassium and the antioxidant Vitamin C.
Ginger root contains a powerful digestive enzyme, similar to the digestive enzymes found in pineapples and papayas. This enzyme, known as zingibain, breaks down proteins, and contains up to two percent of the entire root.
Because ginger root is both an anti- spasmodic and a digestive herb, it is very beneficial to curb nausea and soothe the stomach after vomiting. It has even been used for cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy and sailors for sea sickness.
The anti-spasmodic properties include restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms. Ginger is also known as Nature’s antacid. It helps regulate bowel removal by calming over-active intestines. It also relieves bloating, gas, and intestinal cramping.
When ginger is taken as a hot tea, it causes the body to sweat in what is known as a diaphoretic action. Perspiration helps push toxins out of the body through the skin.
If anyone has a fever, a cup of ginger tea and a hot bath made with ginger and a some other herbs can help to break the fever. This could be valuable to the FM patient who suffers from sinus infections and colds frequently.
As ginger is warming, carries blood to the surface of the skin, and has anti- microbial properties, it makes an exceptional tonic for laryngitis and sore throats.
Ginger juice, or extract, is able to keep blood from clotting, making it an ideal herb for heart health. The one contra- indication for using ginger is in patients with blood clotting problems or who are on blood thinners.
Theanine for Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Theanine, also known as L-theanine, is an antioxidant as well. It is only found naturally in tea and a specific type of rare mushroom, but an artificial form is available as a dietary supplement.
Theanine has been well studied and is believed to:
- boost energy without causing anxiety
- help regulate the sleep-wake cycle
- improve memory and increase alertness
- relieve anxiety
- lower activity of the neurotransmitter glutamate (which can be high in Fibromyalgia Syndrome)
- protect brain cells
- aid relaxation without drowsiness
- increase levels of the norepinephrine and neurotransmitters dopamine
Polyphenols for Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Polyphenols have gotten the lion’s share of the attention when it comes to tea’s recent publicity. Research indicates they may:
- help regulate blood sugar
- defend against stroke
- offer protection from coronary heart disease
- protect against many forms of cancer
- improve blood vessel dilation
Polyphenols are a form of antioxidant. Antioxidants are maybe something you know are thought to be good for you but do not really understand.
The science behind them is complex and has to do with molecules known as free radicals. And for those who are not actually into the science, the simplest way to understand this is that we all have free radicals in our body. They are actually natural. But if you have too many, research suggests they can make you sick.
Potential Downside of Tea Drinking
Tea is usually consider as a healthy drink, especially if it is unsweetened. But in reality, there is nothing without possible risks.
The greatest problem with tea possibly will be that it has caffeine in nearly the same amount as coffee (although amounts differ significantly based on various factors.) For people who do not tolerate caffeine well, this is a huge problem. Even decaf teas can have trace amounts of caffeine.
Some doctors believe that any stimulant is not healthy for the people with chronic fatigue syndrome, so be sure to look for any negative side effects that could be from tea and talk about it with your doctor.
Also, tea has a huge amount of natural substances known as oxylates, which can contribute to the formation of a certain form of kidney stone. If you are prone to oxylate kidney stones, be sure to share this aspect of tea with your doctor before you start drinking it on a regular basis.
Reference: Reproduced version of VeryWell’s article written By Adrienne Dellwo and Reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
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Sources:
Butacnum A, Chongsuwat R, Bumrungpert A. Black tea consumption improves postprandial glycemic control in normal and pre-diabetic subjects: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Asia Pacific journal of clinical nutrition. 2017 Jan;26(1):59-64.
Costa de Miranda R, Paiva ES, Suter Correia Cadena SM, Brandt AP, Vilela RM. Polyphenol-rich foods alleviate pain and ameliorate quality of life in fibromyalgic women. International journal of vitamin and nutrition research. 2016 Nov 21:1-10. [Epub ahead of print]
Gonzalez-Sarrias A, Nunez-Sanchez MA, Tomas-Barberan FA, Espin JC. Neuroprotective effects of bioavailable pholyphenol-derived metabolites against oxidative stress-induced cyctotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry. 2017 Feb 1;65(4):752-758.
Liao ZL, Zeng BH, Wang W, et al. Impact of the consumption of tea polyphenols on early atherosclerotic lesion formation and intestinal bifidobacteria in high-fat-fed apoE-/- mice. Frontiers in nutrition. 2016 Dec 21;3:42.
Liu SM, Ou SY, Huang HH. Gree tea polyphenols induce cell death in breast cancer MCF-7 cells through induction of cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Journal of Zhejiang University, Science B. 2017 Feb.;18(2):89-98.
