By By Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN. Medically Reviewed by Philip Diaz, MD,
2 days ago
Tea can be soothing, but is no replacement for asthma medication. Adobe Stock Asthma is a serious chronic condition, and it's best managed with the help of a doctor and medications like corticosteroid and albuterol inhalers.
Increasingly, however, people are searching for alternative therapies they can use at home to help with their symptoms. There is a lot of information about using tea as a natural remedy for asthma in addition to these first-line treatments, and there is some evidence that it may help with some symptoms in certain circumstances.
Before you make any changes to your current regimen, however, it's important to discuss tea or other holistic asthma support options with your healthcare provider to see if it can work for you. Here is what research and experts say about whether tea can be an effective addition to your asthma management toolkit .
Why Use Tea for Asthma Relief?
First, let's get on the same page about what tea actually is: a liquid brewed by soaking certain leaves, buds, or twigs in hot water. "Tea, in its purest form, refers to the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant - this includes black, green, white, and oolong teas," says Jamie Aragonez, the culinary and brand director at World Spice, a spice, herb, and tea brand based in Seattle. "Herbal teas, however, break the mold," she says, explaining that although they fall under the tea category, they're technically considered "tisanes" and are made from a mix of herbs, spices, flowers, and fruits. Various types of tea are sometimes used to relieve asthma symptoms. "There has always been discussion about complementary medications in the treatment of asthma," says Preeti Sharma, MD , pediatric pulmonologist at Children's Health and Associate Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Experts have also explored the possible role caffeine may play in relaxing airways, "as the chemical structure of caffeine is related to a medication used in asthma treatment," Dr. Sharma says.
Unfortunately, there's no research to support the use of herbal teas for asthma. "There is no good scientific evidence that caffeine or herbal teas improves asthma control or asthma symptoms, and there have not been any published studies that assess if any teas can relieve asthma symptoms," Sharma says.
While Sharma and other physicians recommend against using tea to relieve asthma symptoms, they say that it could play a small role in your asthma management routine. "It's good to use tea as a supportive addition to help you feel more centered and relaxed," says Inderpal Randhawa, MD , founder of the Food Allergy Institute and medical director of the Children's Pulmonary Institute at Miller Children's and Women's Hospital in Long Beach, California. "But when it comes to asthma treatment, always rely on your inhaler for actual symptom relief."
Some people use tea for some relief from symptoms like a scratchy throat or congestion. "The warmth and moisture of tea can ease throat irritation and help clear mucus, making it easier to breathe when you're having trouble," says Raj Dasgupta, MD , associate program director of internal medicine residency at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, California, and chief medical advisor for Fortune Recommends. It doesn't open your airways the way asthma medication does, but it moisturizes them and can soothe discomfort.
What about the caffeine in certain teas? "Caffeine is a natural bronchodilator, which means it relaxes the muscles in the lungs and dilates the bronchial tubes, allowing more air to enter," Dr. Dasgupta says. One older review of seven small studies that included a total of 75 participants found that caffeine could modestly improve airway function for up to four hours in people with asthma. But Drs. Sharma, Randhawa, and Dasgupta all reiterate that there's no sufficient evidence to suggest that caffeine could improve symptoms during an asthma attack and that it should never be used in place of an inhaler. It's also worth noting that even the small amount of research that exists on caffeine and asthma uses coffee and not tea.
Risks of Using Tea for Asthma
As experts have said, tea should never be used in lieu of prescription asthma medications because while it might offer a little bit of relief, it doesn't actually open your airways and won't help when you're having an asthma attack.
Another risk to consider is a potential allergic reaction to some teas. "Herbal teas that contain eucalyptus and licorice root can trigger allergic reactions for some people, especially those with asthma or respiratory sensitivities," Randhawa says, reiterating that you should always talk to your doctor before adding new teas to your wellness routine.
Sharma says that people with ragweed pollen allergies might have reactions to some herbal teas. The tannins in black tea and a catechin compound in green tea can also cause slight allergic reactions in some people, she adds. "It is important to remember that herbal supplements are not regulated, and in some instances can have additives or other ingredients that people could be sensitive to," she adds.
Types of Teas That May Offer Asthma Relief
Research linking tea and asthma relief is limited. Nonetheless, certain types of tea are popular among people with asthma because they're thought to give mild relief for certain symptoms. Black tea and green tea are both made from the Camellia sinensis plant and contain caffeine (black tea is made from fully oxidized leaves, while green teas are made from less processed ones), while herbal teas are caffeine-free and made from various herbs, spices, and other plants, Aragonez explains. Here's a bit more about how these teas may help.
Ginger Tea
" Ginger is known to have some anti-inflammatory effects, but the amount found in teas is likely not sufficient to relieve symptoms," Sharma says. In a review of the research on ginger as an asthma treatment, researchers state that while there's potential for the use of ginger tea for asthma, the existing studies have been done on rodents and human cells in test tubes, so more research is needed. To brew ginger tea, Aragonez recommends steeping a tea bag or loose dried ginger in water at 200 degrees F for up to seven minutes.
Green Tea
One very preliminary study found that green tea extract could reduce airway inflammation and mucus production in asthmatic mice. No studies have been done to say whether the same thing is true in humans. Still, green tea can be a great part of your overall wellness routine because it's rich in antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation in your body, Randhawa says. To brew green tea, steep a teabag in 6 ounces of water at about 175 degrees F for three to four minutes.
Black Tea
"Black tea contains a compound called theophylline, which can relax the muscles around your airways," Dasgupta says. But, he adds, "there is no scientifically proven link between black tea and asthma treatment." If you enjoy black tea, you might try adding it to your day in addition to your asthma medication.
To brew black tea, place a tea bag or a teaspoon of loose tea in a cup and pour over 6 ounces of water that's just reached a boil. Steep for three to five minutes.
Eucalyptus Tea
Eucalyptus tea is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties. One small, older clinical trial of 32 people with bronchial asthma found that those who received 200 milligrams of a eucalyptol (an active compound in eucalyptus) were able to reduce their corticosteroid inhaler use by about a third after 12 weeks, while those who received a placebo reduced inhaler use by 7 percent in the same time frame. It's worth noting that the results of this 20-year-old preliminary study have never been replicated or built upon, so you should take them with a big grain of salt.
What's more, eucalyptus tea could make symptoms worse. "Some people who are sensitive to strong smells may find that eucalyptus triggers a cough," she cautions, adding that some people are also sensitive to eucalyptus pollens, which can exacerbate symptoms.
If you decide to try eucalyptus tea after talking to your doctor, Aragonez says that it's best to brew your tea bag or loose tea at about 200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 5 minutes.
Mullein Tea
" Mullein tea is traditionally used to soothe the respiratory system and may also help to clear mucus, but there is limited research that this works," Randhawa says. Until there are studies that look into why and how this tea might help, there's no way to say that it could be a valuable part of your asthma routine.
Licorice Root Tea
"Licorice root can be soothing to the throat and reduces cough," Sharma says. "It can also serve as an expectorant, helping people cough mucous out of the airways." But, she says, this claim comes from anecdotal evidence, not clinical data. If you enjoy the strong flavor, licorice tea may be a helpful addition to your routine.
To brew licorice root tea, Aragonez says to heat water to 200 degrees and pour it over a tea bag or loose tea, then steep for 5 to 7 minutes.
How to Integrate Tea Into Asthma Management
While tea should not replace prescription medications and any other doctor-recommended asthma treatments, you can try sipping on a cup or two for comfort. Although there are no proven benefits of tea for asthma treatment, it's fine to add tea to your asthma routine with the okay of your doctor.
Guide to Selecting Teas
"When choosing teas, it's all about quality and freshness," Aragonez says. "Look for teas that highlight their ingredients - vibrant colors, rich aromas, and whole leaves or petals when possible."
If you're using tea bags, go for those that contain whole leaves over the ones filled with crushed or ground tea, Aragonez says. The more processed the ingredients have been, the less flavor they'll have once steeped. "Blends that are minimally processed and made with real herbs, spices, or flowers will deliver the truest flavors."
Brewing and Drinking Tea
Sitting down with a good cup of tea can be a great relaxing experience, so don't stress yourself out trying to make the "perfect" cup of tea. Aragonez says that although many teas will come with steeping and brewing directions, you should feel free to adjust steeping times and water-to-tea ratios to suit your own taste.
Generally speaking, though, Aragonez recommends brewing herbal teas in water that starts around 200 degrees F for five to seven minutes. She also explains that black and green tea should be steeped for less time to prevent them from getting too bitter. Black tea can be steeped in slightly hotter water (pour it over your leaves or tea bag just after it comes to a boil) for three to five minutes, and green tea (which is more delicate) should be steeped in water that's about 175 degrees F.
The Takeaway
The current research doesn't support tea as an asthma treatment, and physicians say that you should never try to use tea in place of prescription medication to treat asthma symptoms. That said, certain teas may offer some symptom relief when combined with your regular medication or asthma management routine. It's fine to drink tea as part of your asthma routine as long as you're not allergic.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
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Brodkey FD et al. Asthma - quick-relief drugs. Medline Plus . February 23, 2024.
Abdelmawgood IA et al. Ginger and its constituents in asthma: a mini-review . Journal of Asthma . June 8, 2024.
Kim J et al. Green tea extract suppresses airway inflammation via oxidative stress-driven MAPKs/MMP-9 signaling in asthmatic mice and human airway epithelial cells. Frontiers in Immunology . April 30, 2024.
Saklar S. Effects of different brewing conditions on catechin content and sensory acceptance in Turkish green tea infusions . Journal of Food Science and Technology . October 2015.
Juergens UR et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of 1.8-cineol (eucalyptol) in bronchial asthma: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Respiratory Medicine . March 2003.
Philip Diaz, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care specialist and a professor of medicine at The Ohio State University . He specializes in caring for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in pulmonary rehabilitation for all patients who suffer from lung disease.
Dr. Diaz is passionate about patient education and feels very strongly about providing patients an opportunity to participate fully in their own care. His goal is to work together with his patients to achieve the best quality of life possible for them.
Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN, is a registered dietitian providing non-diet, weight-inclusive nutrition counseling to adults struggling with eating disorders, binge eating, orthorexia, chronic dieting, and strong feelings of guilt or shame about food. She founded Ruby Oak Nutrition in 2021 to serve clients and grow a team of anti-diet dietitians. She uses the principles of intuitive eating, Health at Every Size, body respect, and gentle nutrition to help clients recover from disordered thoughts and behaviors and establish a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food and their bodies.
Byrne lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and sees clients both in person and virtually in several states. As a journalist, she writes about food and nutrition for several national media outlets, including Outside, HuffPost, EatingWell, Self , BuzzFeed, Food Network, Bon Appetit , Health, O, the Oprah Magazine , The Kitchn, Runner's World , and Well+Good. See full bio See Our Editorial Policy Meet Our Health Expert Network
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