Green Tea For Rheumatoid Arthritis - 3 To Try
A study published earlier this year in the journal of the American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis and Rheumatology addresses the topic of green tea and RA. The focus of the study was on Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG. This phytochemical, a molecule with anti-inflammatory properties, is found in green tea.
Lead Researcher Salah-uddin Ahmed and his team wanted to evaluate EGCGs potential as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The molecule is known to block the effects of the disease without blocking other functions of the cells.
Since 2014, the WSU team has been studying inflammatory diseases, including RA, at the WSU College of Pharmacy in Spokane, Washington. Researchers in Hajipur, India (from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) joined them for this portion of their work.
How To Brew The Perfect Pot Of Tea
Their findings are encouraging. EGCG has great potential for use as a natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This shouldn't come as too big a big surprise - it has already been discussed as a possible treatment for diabetes, IBS and even cancer before.
In honor of this study, and of EGCG, I've decided to share a quick list with you of three green teas that I've tried. For it looks like a good cup of tea could help to both relax you and bring down inflammation in your body! Tastes and budgets differ, so I've included a range - one of them is sure to please. Enjoy!
Suggestion #1 Harney & Sons Gunpowder Green
Price: $12.00 for an 8 oz tin of loose tea
My husband and I first discovered Harney Teas on a trip several years ago. As we live only an hour away from one of their tasting rooms, we’ve returned several times. Their knowledge and delight of tea brewing is contagious - we left with three tins of loose tea to try after our first visit.
Unfortunately, Harney teas aren't available in most retail outlets - we've only seen them for sale in restaurants in our area. But ordering online at their website is easy and their customer service has been excellent.
- The Gunpowder blend is one of the first green teas offered by Harney. It starts with, as they put it, the tougher leaves from China. They are slow-fired in a rotating oven, which results in a charred, roasted flavor.This was part of our first trio of teas, and I loved the robustness of it.
Contact them at
Quick Question For You
How often do you drink green tea
Suggestion #2 Stash Premium Green
Price: Approx $3.00-3.50 for a box, 18 bag count
Stash is our family's favorite bagged tea. Unfortunately it used to be hard to find in in our area. In the last couple of years, though, it's become more available in grocery and drug stores. Again, you can order online.
Like Harney, Stash has 2 tasting rooms/retail stores you can visit. Both are located in Oregon. I checked out their website and found lots of helpful info like how to brew the perfect cup, tea FAQs, and even a couple of recipes using the tea to try.
- Their Premium Green is a blend of select leaves that are steam processed in the Japanese traditional style. This method preserves the original color and fragrance and produces, as one customer wrote, "a light Spring flavor," nutty and slightly sweet.
Contact them at:
- Stash Tea | Tea, Tea Gifts & Teaware
Shop over 250 tea blends, tea gifts, treats and teaware online from Stash Tea. Tea bags and loose leaf black tea, green tea, herbal tea, white tea, chai & more!
Suggestion #3 Bigelow Green, Assorted Blends
Price: Approx $2.00-3.00 for a box, 18 bag count
Of my three suggestions here, Bigelow is the most widely available and usually the least expensive. The company offers a good-quality product for the price, and is creative with their blends.
- Camellia sinensis leaves are the basic ingredient - they are either pan-fired or steamed right after picking. To that mild green flavor, fruits like mango, pomegranate or blueberry, herbs such as mint, or even other teas like earl grey and rooibos are carefully mixed in. The result is a delicate but exciting tea drinking