Teas that Aid Endometriosis Management

Herbal teas can be very effective in the management of endometriosis – depending on the right brew!

Incorporating natural remedies like teas into your routine can significantly alleviate discomfort and complement other strategies such as specialized nutrition for endometriosis. It is important to recognize that herbal teas offer more than just “flavor-infused warmth”. However, identifying the teas that effectively address endometriosis remains a key consideration.

Botanical Healing through a Cup

One facet of naturopathy is phototherapy, or herbal medicine, which encompasses not only the therapeutic properties of medicinal herbs but also the beneficial impacts of various plant components, often found in food. The realization underscores that these components can sometimes yield effects comparable to those of modern medications.

Interestingly, many contemporary medicines find their origins in humble medicinal herbs. Prominent examples include “aspirin” (acetylsalicylic acid) derived from willow bark, heart medications featuring active ingredients sourced from foxglove, antimalarials rooted in quinine from the cinchona tree, and opiates initially extracted from the opium poppy. These instances illustrate how plants have evolved into potent medicinal agents.

Differentiating between Myth and Reality

Not all teas are equally effective for endometriosis

Numerous naturopathic recommendations are rooted solely in tradition and folklore, making it challenging for the general public to discern whether effects are substantiated through research or are merely entrenched in conventional knowledge. Nevertheless, certain tea components, have undergone scrutiny in both modest and extensive studies. The teas presented below, recommended for endometriosis, have been subject to scientific exploration and have demonstrated beneficial properties. While further investigation is essential, we remain committed to keeping you informed.

Naturally, these teas do not replace treatment at an endometriosis center. Nonetheless, they can serve as a valuable complement to ongoing therapy, offering considerable support for your well-being!

How do Teas Combat Endometriosis?

Primarily, the objective remains the alleviation of discomfort attributed to endometriosis. Thus, teas suggested for endometriosis should exhibit at least one of the subsequent attributes validated through scientific investigations:

Anti-inflammatory
Antispasmodic
Analgesic
Inhibition of endometriosis lesions growth

Upon brewing and steeping, active constituents dissolve from plant components into water, rendering the brew’s potency proportional to its concentration. However, specific elements like essential oils can vaporize over time, prompting instances where ingesting raw plant components, even devoid of tea preparation, might be sensible.

Which Teas are Recommended?

These are the teas that, according to our experience and scientific research, deserve the seal “useful for endometriosis”! So if you like to drink tea, you will certainly benefit from regular consumption of these teas!

Green Tea

An animal experiment involving mice demonstrated that a specific component found in green tea could substantially decelerate the progression of endometriosis lesions and diminish their overall size [1] – all within a mere two weeks! Hence, green tea alone holds potential benefits. Why not explore its usage as a foundation for revitalizing iced tea, a coffee substitute during breakfast, or even as a frothy matcha concoction?

Ginger Tea

Ginger stands effective against inflammation, mitigating cellular oxidative stress. A key constituent of ginger – gingerol, responsible for its pungency – also hampers an enzyme activated in response to pain. A study confirmed that its effect is akin to that of ibuprofen.

Crucially, ginger should be freshly prepared and not used in powdered form. The potential essential oils remain wholly intact solely in fresh ginger! Whether grated raw or steeped as tea, ginger’s form matters little. Candied ginger is also a delicious option, and the more, the better. When combined with juice (from a drugstore or health food shop) in cold water, it yields a refreshing ginger lemonade.

Turmeric Tea

Turmeric, a relatively unusual spice in Germany, harbors intrinsic wound-healing, cell-preserving (antioxidant), and anti-inflammatory attributes owing to its constituent curcumin. Laboratory examinations have verified curcumin’s capacity to diminish inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory agents within the abdominal cavity’s fluid lining (peritoneal fluid) in cases of endometriosis.

Moreover, curcumin counteracts undesirable cell proliferation, attachment, and tissue infiltration. Notably, an ongoing Austrian study seeks to explicitly investigate turmeric’s effects on endometriosis.

Please note: Turmeric’s efficacy in the body experiences up to 2000% enhancement when paired with piperine from black pepper. Hence, it is advisable to use both spices simultaneously. Turmeric tea blended with other spices (such as cinnamon or vanilla) can be found in tea bags, or you can opt to steep the spice directly in hot water or milk. One teaspoon per cup is an optimal measurement. Stir well before consumption, and ensure to ingest the residue as well. For more on turmeric: Anti-inflammatory Foods for Endometriosis.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon, found in various spiced teas and renowned for enhancing the flavoring of fruit teas – particularly in the winter – is not only delectable but also exhibits anti-inflammatory attributes, as well as cell-preserving (antioxidant) effects. Furthermore, it combats the formation of new blood vessels. Although the latter aspect has predominantly been researched in relation to cancer cells. [7]

It is essential to note that not all cinnamon types are equally healthful. Cassia cinnamon contains significant amounts of coumarin, detrimental to the liver, and even a single package of inexpensive cinnamon stars can have adverse effects [9]. Ceylon cinnamon, albeit pricier and therefore less common in industrial food production, contains minimal coumarin and poses no harm, even in larger quantities. Ceylon cinnamon is easily identifiable by its delicate and fragile cinnamon sticks (as seen in the photo), while Cassia cinnamon boasts thicker, coarser sticks.

However, it is worth mentioning that many economical spiced teas often rely solely on cinnamon flavoring, rendering them ineffective. Thus, crafting your tea blend or diligently reviewing ingredient lists is advisable. A spiced tea infused with a generous dose of cinnamon, perhaps combined with turmeric and ginger, proves delightful not only in winter, but also complements summer flavors like cherry, plum, or fig fruit teas.

Lady’s Mantle Tea

Teas and remedies derived from the lady’s mantle (Alchemilla) have a historical application for addressing “women’s ailments”. A study experiment [3] conducted on rats sought to bridge the gap between tradition and science in this regard. Remarkably, the experiment demonstrated that the consumption of diverse extracts from the lady’s mantle plant led to the reduction of endometriosis lesions, cysts, and inflammation levels.

Lady’s mantle finds inclusion in numerous specialized tea blends for women, and it is also available dried as a standalone herb at pharmacies or health food stores. Flourishing across Europe, particularly in well-nourished meadows, lady’s mantle can also be conveniently harvested.

Dog Chamomile

A study delving into the effectiveness of Austrian dog chamomile (Anthemis austriaca) in addressing endometriosis [2] yielded conclusive results from animal experiments involving mice. The extract derived from this chamomile proved efficacious; it notably decelerated the growth of endometriosis lesions and hindered tissue attachment. Furthermore, it led to a reduction in abdominal fluid inflammation. Establishing which specific secondary plant compounds are responsible for these effects is still being researched.

Chamomile tea, while not a beloved choice, has earned its reputation as an “allergy remedy” for valid reasons. Beyond its notable implications for endometriosis, it also exhibits anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, beneficial for alleviating flatulence and menstrual cramps. Despite often being associated with medical settings, it warrants more frequent preparation.

Nettle Tea

Another tea that may not be commonly favored, yet demonstrates a favorable impact on endometriosis, is nettle tea. Extracts derived from nettles have shown efficacy in diminishing the size of endometriosis lesions and impending their new formation within animal experiments [4]. The somewhat earthy flavor of nettle tea can be pleasantly countered by incorporating grated lemon zest into hot tea, and lemon or orange juice into cold tea. Incidentally, citrus is also recommended for endometriosis. Discover more details here: Fruits and Vegetables for Endometriosis.

Sea Buckthorn and St. John’s Wort

Sea buckthorn thrives in European regions, particularly along the North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts. The dried berries, commonly employed in various tea blends, are particularly prevalent there. Health food stores, organic markets, and drugstores offer sea buckthorn pulp, sought after for its exceptionally high vitamin C content, especially for bolstering the immune system. The berries (including dried ones) and seeds harbor sea buckthorn oil, primarily utilized in cosmetics; however, its capabilities extend beyond initial perceptions.

St. John’s wort is renowned for its traditional role as an herbal antidepressant, yet higher doses necessitate a prescription due to its interaction with numerous medications. This interaction even extends to certain antibiotics and hormonal preparations like birth control pills. Thus, caution should be exercised when pairing hormonal contraception and St. John’s wort consumption! It has been said to have bestowed many with the name John… Furthermore, it can impact hormone therapy for endometriosis – hence, it is prudent to consult your gynecologist before embarking on St. John’s wort therapy.

A Turkish study [5] delved into the effectiveness of a combination of both sea buckthorn oil and St. John’s wort oil in addressing endometriosis. The study discovered that rats fed this oil combination for 28 days exhibited significant shrinkage in their endometriosis lesions, a contrast to the lesions in rats not administered such a mixture. Concurrently, inflammatory markers demonstrated reduction and tissue attachment was hindered.

Thus, enjoying a fruit tea with sea buckthorn proves a worthy notion. An even better approach involves consuming the berries after imbibing the tea and thoroughly chewing them well to release the oil contained within the seeds. However, it is imperative to exercise caution and seek consultation with a doctor when considering preparations centered around St. John’s wort.

In Mongolia, during the summer months, fresh berries are blended with water and ice to craft a revitalizing drink, while in winter, sea buckthorn pulp is steeped in hot water akin to tea. Notably, hot sea buckthorn juice is also a traditional beverage along the German coast! Embracing the benefits doesn’t always necessitate tea as the medium.

Snowball Bark Tea

Snowball (Viburnum opulus) is predominantly cultivated as an ornamental shrub, known for its snow-white, ball-shaped inflorescences in summer and vibrant red berries in winter. However, it is also a traditional medicinal plant with various uses depending on the region. In Central Europe, the bark is employed in homeopathic remedies and teas to alleviate menstrual cramps and serve as an antispasmodic and sedative.

One particular study [8] delved into the effectiveness of berries concerning endometriosis and discovered their ability to decelerate the growth of endometriosis lesions. The extent to which a tea infusion of the bark yields the same outcome remains to be seen. Yet, considering the potential weak toxicity of the berries if harvested prematurely or prepared inaccurately, opting for bark tea is advisable!

Cat’s Claw

Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) thrives in tropical regions and is primarily recognized as a traditional remedy in those areas. However, cat’s claw tea is also available in health food stores in Europe. The knowledge of secondary plant compounds within this animal-named plant stimulating the immune system has been established for some time. A specific study [6] delved into the impact of cat’s claw on endometriosis.

In this study, 12 rats with endometriosis consumed cat’s claw extract for a duration of two weeks, while another 12 other rats with endometriosis did not. Post-assessment revealed that the endometriosis lesions in the rats without cat’s claw had measurably expanded, whereas those that had ingested cat’s claw extract exhibited a marked reduction in endometriosis lesions.

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed is notably abundant in the secondary plant compound resveratrol. Resveratrol encompasses essential antimicrobial, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory attributes, while also serving as an antioxidant that restrains the emergence of new tissue. This compound could potentially contribute to cancer prevention and the management of endometriosis, both in terms of prevention and therapy. Moreover, resveratrol ranks among phytoestrogens, offering positive effects on endometriosis and female hormone equilibrium.

Commonly known as “Itadori tea”, Japanese knotweed is increasingly recognized as a weed in domestic gardens. This permits the collection of leaves, stems, roots, and shoots for tea-making or immediate consumption. However, it is important to note that the resveratrol content in tea is notably lower than found in fresh vegetables. For further insights on resveratrol, explore: How Resveratrol Works for Endometriosis.

Ginseng

Originating from Asia, ginseng’s roots are employed for tea infusions or as a tonic. Traditional usage of ginseng tea involves memory enhancement. However, a study involving rats [3] demonstrated the efficacy of ginseng roots in addressing endometriosis. In essence, ginseng exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune system-enhancing properties. Moreover, it possesses the ability to impede the growth of endometriosis lesions and hinder the attachment of new tissues.

One notable constituent of ginseng root yields a blood-thinning effect. This aspect prompts caution, as ginseng tea is better avoided during menstruation or immediately following surgery!

Summary

With the appropriate ingredients, teas can be a valuable supplement for managing endometriosis.

Numerous domestic tea ingredients have demonstrated their effectiveness in managing endometriosis in various studies. Some of these ingredients have a long-standing tradition of being used in special tea blends for addressing menstrual cramps and other women’s health concerns, while others have been traditionally utilized for different purposes, such as sea buckthorn for cold prevention.

As research progresses, more plants are likely to be discovered as effective remedies for endometriosis, expanding the list of ingredients for specialized teas. While not every tea concoction may boast a delightful flavor, combining certain ingredients can result in a palatable beverage – consider nettles paired with citrus, for instance.

It is worth noting that the aforementioned plants can be employed not only in endometriosis-specific teas, but also in smoothies, salads, and as spices, offering their therapeutic benefits against endometriosis symptoms in various culinary forms.

Why not give a few of these options a try?

References

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Silke Neumann (zertifizierte Ernährungsberaterin)

My name is Silke Neumann. After my studies and training as a nutritionist BfD e.V., I first worked in a nutritional medical practice in Mannheim, before I took over the management of this practice and its branch in Heidelberg. In addition, I cared for gastric band patients as a nutritionist at the Ludwigshafen Clinic.
After a move to France, I opened my own practice for nutritional counseling and was part of the permanent team of a rehabilitation center to support people on their way back to everyday life after accidents or serious operations with the right, healthy nutrition for them.
13 years later, a change of location back to Germany provided a new occupation: since 2014, I have been writing full-time about nutritional medical topics in health magazines, on online blogs and websites, among other things.

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